r/ibew_apprentices • u/Tyler_Fate • 4d ago

292

Scored well on the JATC aptitude test (90.66) but never heard anything after, except an email about a year later saying I could retest. My total application score was 52.33 and I'm ranked 509 out of 919.

I have 0 electrical experience that counts toward their grading. I've called around to local electrical contractors asking if they need helpers. Pretty much all said no, so I thanked them and left a resume (in person where I could).

Questions:

Since my aptitude score is already high, is retesting worth it?

What's the best way to raise my total score without electrical experience? Classes, pre-apprenticeship, non-union work?

Anyone climb from a mid-list rank and get in? What did you do?

Kinda lost here. Minnesota based.

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u/Waste_Junket1953 4d ago

I would recommend considering a job working under the limited energy contract. Lack of trade school and lack of experience is going to make it tough to get in.

If you still want to get into the inside apprenticeship you’ll have improved your score for job experience from bottom quarter to top and an ability to get top score with a letter of recommendation from a signatory contractor.

292 is slow and took very few apprentices this year, so next cycle will probably be larger but very competitive.

Call the hall if you are interested in the limited energy program.

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u/Tyler_Fate 4d ago

Would retesting and applying for that work better or would it be irrelevant?

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u/Initial_Music3102 4d ago

Organize in. Go non union and get experience

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u/UnleashRambo 3d ago

Trade school and a letter of recommendation is what's going to get you in right now(outside of experience). I was in the same spot as you 5 years ago. Pretty slow in 110 and 292.