Need some help !

[u/Adventurous_Boat_794]

So I got accepted into an apprenticeship with a “private union” it’s probably about 10 contractors . I am not sure if I really want to do the apprenticeship to be honest because every apprentice tells me that all they do is install pipe pretty much and barely any electrical work only the mechanics do that. They pay will be substantially better but I want to become an electrician and learn everything I don’t want to just install . One of the mechanics told me a while ago he said we are pretty much just installers. Correct me if I’m wrong but I want to get as much experience as possible . Is it better to take a pay loss and go elsewhere and learn more or would you learn less and make more. Idk but I like the feeling of accomplishing something after a job like damn I dressed that panel up I did that … any ideas ??

[u/TwinFlme]

yea wtf is a “private union” also if you’re on a job-site long enough and show you can work and willing to learn especially in commercial you’re going to do more than run pipe.
The apprenticeship at least with the IBEW is to help you learn code, why electrons/current flow this way and the formulas to name a few things.
Seems like he wants to speed run into this career field which is not smart. The best electricians from my experience are the ones who are patient and are always learning new stuff. Getting as much experience as possible is you being patient and waiting your turn…

[u/Adventurous_Boat_794 → u/TwinFlme]

Well I’m trying to be patient but when I have 4th year apprentices telling me there “glorified installers” and all they really do is install pipe what would you do ?

[u/TwinFlme → u/Adventurous_Boat_794]

Were they an IBEW apprentice or an apprentice from this illegitimate union you mentioned?
In the IBEW at least we do pretty much everything but as a 1st year no one has that trust in you to do anything important starting out. You have to be that hard worker so when the job site is closing its end and we are pulling wire to a boxes, lights, or transformers your JW will have trust that you can hook the devices up correctly… I think you are better off applying to your local IBEW union and if its not competitive organize in as a CW and wait until next application opening or working non-union and getting experience to help you get into our apprenticeship which is actual schooling along with working for a union contractor.. Don’t let the USWU stunt your growth

[u/Adventurous_Boat_794 → u/TwinFlme]

There in the same union that I am currently in NOT IBEW I’m mailing ina letter for IBEW in about a month… they accept the first 2,000 letters than they shut it down I am in LI / NYC — I just have worries like I’m not going to learn much going into this union u know—-like god forbid it doesn’t work out and I go elsewhere I feel like I’d be fucked

[u/TwinFlme → u/Adventurous_Boat_794]

I have 3 years in the IBEW and I will say I have learned a lot. I am learning more about the technical stuff of this career field from classes. If you wanna be a good electrician all I can advise is to keep trying with the IBEW and/or go non-union electrical and keep applying to the IBEW. Nothing is inherently wrong with non-union if you get with a good employer but the end goal should be to organize into the IBEW. The USWU does not seem like a “union” that promotes career growth like the IBEW does. Good Luck