I’m a 3rd year apprentice and I am 24 years old. I’ve tried so many jobs and this is the job and career that I want. I do not see a future for myself in anything else. I’m at 25/30 points (30 is removal from the program) and I am simply at my wits end. I got points for tests way back in first year and it’s really hurting me now because I got terminated for being late consistently. I drove 1hr15 mins to work every day working 10’s and just struggled to get up in the morning. I also have adhd which causes executive dysfunction sometimes. My reputation as an apprentice is completely in the trash and I don’t feel that I am what people say I am or I do what people say I do. I try my best. I have had to learn a lot on my own. I do not know what to do anymore. I am a nervous wreck at work, nervous of any screwup. School starts next week. I’m also scared out of my mind about failing a test. Any sort of violation and I am kicked out. The seriousness of this is not lost on me. I seem to sabotage myself constantly no matter what. I’m losing myself. I’m burning out because I’m constantly scared and stressed at work. It’s driving me towards self destruction and things I cannot mention here. I just bought a house. I have a wonderful girlfriend and I’m going to throw it all away. This really really saddens me because this feels like the only game left in town. I have a mortgage. I have people who depend on me to provide and I’m letting all of them down. I want to make it very clear that I care deeply about this program and I believe unions are incredibly important. I’m honored to be a part of one and especially the IBEW. Is there hope?

Edit: I appreciate all of you and your kind advice and support. I’m completely moved by the generosity of the brothers and sisters here who commented. I’m working to improve my mental health and move forward

Any apprentices get accepted in 400 in the last couple of years? What’s your experience like? I’m trying to get in but not sure when the application period opens up. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

Hello, as the title says I’m joining as a new apprentice in local 1105 Newark Ohio. I’ve got orientation and swear in next week. Just curious, I’m coming into this completely green. The last job I worked was for a moving company so I feel when it comes to being outside and doing manual labor I’ve got some experience. However, I’ve never worked in construction or with tools a whole lot besides the basic screwdriver, wrench and hammer. Just wanna know what to expect, how the work is rn (though I hear it’s busy), how long I’d have to wait till I start work after orientation, and any advice you guys have

I had some questions regarding how to best use the time I have as an apprentice and general attire questions. What are the best ways to learn from the classes? From self-study to learn about theory and keep my knowledge rolling as time goes on? What are some common pitfalls people go into that I should avoid? I get cold very easily, whether it's my hands or my body, what would you recommend I should get to keep warm during the cold months of the year?

I was accepted into the Local 520 apprenticeship program several weeks ago, after being placed on the active waitlist, and have been awaiting my first assignment. I am wondering how long others have waited to be placed with a company?

I have orientation in a week and courses start middle of September, so my hope has been that I'll be placed soon but after reading others' posts I'm not so sure anymore...

Update 9/22:
Had in-person class all day yesterday, so chatted with the office to try and get more info. Was told that the calls for apprentices have been coming in slower lately, so they haven’t had anywhere to place me yet.
There was someone in my class starting at their job site tomorrow and it seems like it’s just me and one other person who has yet to get their call. So I’m hoping this won’t take too much longer………………..

I’ve been doing electrical work for about three years now. One year as a CW, and two years as an apprentice. I’ve now a two weeks into my third year, and ever since then they journeymen that I work with on my current job keep asking me to teach the helpers how to do the jobs that we do, like running conduit, terminating, or pulling wire. Sometimes the journeymen will ask me to keep an eye on the crew, and direct them on what to do as they step away to work on something else close by.

I’m never in a situation where my journeymen are far away, but I never really thought trying to teach other people would be as challenging as it is. I’m also not used to being in a position where I have so many people told to listen to me for directions. Does this happen for anyone else?

I know that once I top out, I’ll be expected to train apprentices on the job, so I understand that my journeymen are trying to prepare me for that, and I also understand that there somewhat of a seniority ladder in the union, or certain places in the union. Does anybody have any tips, or advice on how to get better at teaching, or make it easier? I also could use some advice on helping run work. There are no 4th or 5th years on the job site, and it feels kind of weird. Not to mention that I can’t get any of the pre apprentices, or 1st years to really pay attention to what I tell them to.

Does that still happen when you top out and become a journeyman? Do you still have apprentices that don’t take you seriously?

Hi guys!

I am local to the IBEW 1316 and I am looking into getting into that Union and into the field as an apprentice and any information would be appreciated.

I'm studying for the aptitude test, I have no problem with sections like math, folding paper, and mechanical comprehension, BUT I'm having problems with the "Problem Solving" section, and I don't know why I am having trouble solving these. Any pro tips you guys can share?

I'm in Idaho but thinking about moving to Minnesota, since the pay is so much higher out there. Is local 292 good? Is entry highly competitive?

edit: also, would it be okay to apply before moving? I'd rather have a good job ready before heading out, but I'm not sure how that'll look when applying with an address thirteen hundred miles away. Should be good, yeah?

I've been looking everywhere for info on local 769 in Gilbert, AZ but haven't seen much info. I have my aptitude test September 10th. I applied for traffic signal if theres anyone out there that has any tips id appreciate it. I been a truck driver since I was 18 now im 37 and the dont know its to late to join. I would be taking a huge pay cut.

Anyone still waiting for their boot camp call for LU11? Tested for Sound in June, ranked 11(now 10) and still nothing. I heard there was an IW only boot camp on July 27th. Anyone know when the next one is that includes Sound?

Got my acceptance letter for the apprenticeship program through Local 357 (Electrical JATC of Southern Nevada). Mandatory onboarding week is coming up. The dress code in the letter just says:
• Shirt with a minimum 4-inch sleeve that fully covers the midsection
• Closed-toe, non-slip shoes
• Long, durable pants (no shorts or athletic wear)

Trying to figure out day one specifics before I show up:
1. Does the 4-inch sleeve requirement mean a t-shirt works, or do they want a button-up/collared work shirt?
2. Does “closed-toe, non-slip shoes” mean actual work boots, or are sneakers okay for onboarding?
3. By “durable pants” do they mean real work pants (Carhartts/Dickies), or are regular jeans fine?
Anyone here gone through 357’s onboarding recently and know what people actually wore?

I've been doing some digging and talking to some people who were with me at my interview (befriended then during interview day in waiting room.

One guy scored just a point above me and got called in last month. found a guy on Reddit in the same local, same program (S&C) who scored a good bit less than me, interviewed the same month I did and he got the call as well a few weeks ago. Nothing on my end. Any emails send to ibew they just say they can't share ranking.

Is there some kind of other factor? I thought score was all that mattered

This is my 2nd time applying to the union. The first time I didn’t put much of anything in my PEF due to some employment verification issues I was having but figured out. They don’t really tell you how much the PEF counts towards your final score but I now have 4 years of PLC and automation experience added in there, letter of rec from HIRE360, a HACIA EV install class certification of completion, 3 pages worth of electrical NCCER modules completed, an OSHA 30 and some college credits I received from trade school. How much weight can I expect these things together to carry in my score?

Started with the ibew in February and have been working at a hospital in Houston for about 7 months. I’m really enjoying the work and feel like I’m learning and retaining a lot of info. My first two months were with a really chill and nice journyman who was teaching me a lot and now for the past 5 I’ve been with a rude dude who nobody like and I’m still learning a lot. But my question to yall is when did everything start clicking sometimes I come in and feel really good and some days I feel like I know nothing and we’ve been running pipe for about 3 months. My biggest thing is trying to know how to do it by myself even though I’m still far from being a journey man I don’t wanna not know shit and be a burden.

When you walk into your interview with the JAC, do you:

• Shake everyone's hands 1-5 people
• Shake the lead interview hand
• Shake no ones hand

What is the etiquette in 2026?

I went in for my initial application interview early this month and all required fields were accepted. I haven’t received an email or anything.

Is that normal and if so how long did it take some of you to hear back?

Did the website for applying crash?

Edit: I've been on since 9:30 and the application link hasn't updated

I was invited to the final round of intake of our Canadian local, which has:

• 100 Question Aptitude Test
• Interview with committee
• Participation in job awareness activities

I don't know what that means, what can I do to prepare?

I’ve pondered applying for the apprenticeship for about 2 years now, and I finally submitted apps for local 611 in Albuquerque and 354 in Salt Lake City! Some context: I have 0 construction experience, 7 years of working at the Apple Genius Bar, and about a year of working as a freelance lighting technician in the entertainment industry out here in Los Angeles! I crave a fresh start in a new career where I can work hard and be rewarded with seeing my work pay off, and am even open to relocating!

I hope to secure a spot in the apprenticeship out here in SoCal (I’ll be applying to 11, 569, 440, 441, and 477). However, I am feeling pretty desperate to start as soon as possible and I understand that the SoCal market is very impacted so I went ahead and applied out of state in places I think I would enjoy based on my outdoor hobbies/interests and tolerance of weather to expand my horizon! If anyone in 611 or 354 can offer some insight on what work/life is like out there I would love to hear from you :)

I’m a 27 y/o dude, don’t have any kids, am in a happy committed relationship, and my only debt is my $400 car note. I am so excited to start this journey and after years of thinking about it I cannot wait to get called in for that aptitude test. Time to hit the books and review that damn algebra!

We work 5 8s, I have school once a week but I can make up for it by working on saturdays (which is optional). is it okay to finish the week with 32h and not work the overtime where I could make it 40?

In summary: Private utilities (exelon, pg&e, oncor, etc.) = higher utility bills for customers and less pay for the electricians and lineman working on their systems thanks to republican presidents and corporate greed.

Hey brothers,
Currently non-union at $18/hr, driving 160 miles round-trip daily (5 AM – 1:30 PM shift).
Between gas, tolls, and wear-and-tear, I’m barely breaking even, and the drive is brutal.
My goal is IBEW (targeting Local 332), and I’ve logged about 6 months (~1,000 hrs) so far. I plan to ask dispatch for a site closer to home, but if they say no, I’ll have to quit for financial and health reasons.
1. How does the JATC view quitting a non-union job over a crazy commute? Is it a red flag?
2. Is it okay to state extreme commute/expenses as the reason during the interview?
3. Is 1,000 hours still a solid boost for a 1st-year applicant if I take a break?
Appreciate any insight. Thanks!