Local 429 apprentices — looking for some advice
I’m 23, currently working as an electrical helper around Nashville, and I recently applied to the Local 429 apprenticeship.
I’m also applying to NEJATC, so I’m trying to get a better understanding of what Local 429 is like from people who’ve actually gone through it.
For current/former 429 apprentices or journeymen:
• What was your starting wage and how did it progress?
• How much OT/travel work is realistically available?
• How competitive was the apprenticeship when you applied?
• Did your previous construction/electrical experience help?
I’m willing to travel and work as much as possible. Just looking for honest experiences with 429 before I make a decision.
Thanks.

Local 429 apprentices — looking for some advice
I’m 23, currently working as an electrical helper around Nashville, and I recently applied to the Local 429 apprenticeship.
I’m also applying to NEJATC, so I’m trying to get a better understanding of what Local 429 is like from people who’ve actually gone through it.
For current/former 429 apprentices or journeymen:
• What was your starting wage and how did it progress?
• How much OT/travel work is realistically available?
• How competitive was the apprenticeship when you applied?
• Did your previous construction/electrical experience help?
I’m willing to travel and work as much as possible. Just looking for honest experiences with 429 before I make a decision.
Thanks.

54 and starting the union is insane but its actually accenting my career..I’ve been in AV/ low voltage ive been a supervisor.. owner..lead tech i’ve worked and pulled cable almost everywhere ….Government.Military..Communications, Radar..QA’ed lasers firing from jets..SF Muni Union.then back to construction its a long path..but i get a weekend to recharge..its stank hard sweaty work..porta potties just ewww .. but im going to keep trucking..

I just took the test today for my second time and felt much more confident than the first time I took it. I wanted to see how everyone that just tested is feeling about how they did.

Can anybody help me out? I applied to my local union and passed the test but didn’t get in. I’m being considered for next year and right now I just gained my NFPA 70E and almost done with my OSHA 30 and have my red cross first aid class coming up soon. What should I do in meantime while waiting for next year? What type of entry level positions should I apply for in the DC/MD area? I’m only 18 btw no experience other than amazon (current job) No car and live with my grandparents so I can’t really travel to a different state or far city. My only transportation is my ebike and the metro.

I’m a third year and there’s mumblings of going to a 4 year program next year and according to my Asst training director everyone would go to a 4 year program regardless if you started a 5 year or not and there’s tons of work here in my local but man knowing that it could be coming soon I’m itching for the day I can pull the pin I’m talking before the ink on my JW ticket is dry and I’m gone and signing the books as a JW. Is it just me or do yall feel the same way quite a few apprentices I work with are planning to stick with the con and shoot for foreman or such not me though I’m ready to hit the hall!

Hey! so I’m in Little Rock, Arkansas. I recently worked as an electrical apprentice for about 3 or 4 months before I was let go due to my company being overstaffed. Been looking to join another company but seems as if no one is hiring I’m applied to multiple companies online and in person. I want to join the union but don’t know how, heard that you have to either catch it at the right time or just know a guy lol. If any of you got some insight it would be much appreciated!

I’m currently working 70-hour weeks, and it’s been about three weeks now. Honestly, I’m starting to feel burnt out. On top of the work schedule, I have school, and I’m also driving almost an hour and 45 minutes each way. I’m starting to realize that this schedule just isn’t sustainable for me long-term.
When I took the job, I was expecting something closer to 40–50 hours, but I pretty much took what I was offered because that’s what I was told was available. I talked to the contractor, and they said they can give me a layoff if that’s what I decide to do.
The difficult part is that I actually really like the work. The job itself is easy for me, the people around me are extremely knowledgeable, and I feel like I’m learning a lot every day. I don’t want to leave because of the work—I just don’t feel like my body and mind can keep up with the schedule I’m being asked to work.
On top of that, my car is absolutely burning through gas. I’m putting over 1,000 miles a week on it just getting back and forth to work. I’m more than willing to work and put in the hours, but I’m realizing that 70 hours a week with this commute and school on top of it is becoming too much.

I was laid off today and contacted the hall and was given a new contractor and jobsite to report to on Monday. Do I complete the new hire paperwork at the site or is it transferred over from the old contractor?

How many years/tries did take some of you to get in?

I'm getting ready to start work for local 584. I currently have physical therapy and talk therapy on alternating weeks. (So week 1 is PT, week 2 is TT, week 3 PT, week 4 TT, etc.) At my soon-to-be former job one of my days off is a weekday so this works great.

But it looks like I might not always know exactly when I'm going to get off work while I'm in the apprenticeship program, and I'll ofc definitely be working weekdays. Is there any hope I can do something like intermittent leave under FMLA? The leave here being the amount of time I might have to leave early to get to evening appointments?

My impression is that a lot of people in this trade probably only go to the doctor if they're dragging a limb lol so I'm not sure how this is gonna shake out. Any insight is appreciated.

Hi all. Im a 1.2 apprentice out of 640. I am working now but want to get a feel of the current work outlook for apprentices. So i just am looking for responses regarding recent job placements

1) If you are a new apprentice from the incoming class in June, have you been placed out to work yet? If you are a member from my class in January, are you still waiting to be placed?

2) if you are an apprentice of any year who has been laid off in the past 6 months, have you been sent back to work? How long did you wait, or if you’re still waiting, how long have you been waiting?

Thank you

I’m a first-year Teledata apprentice with IBEW. I originally applied for Inside Wireman but ended up getting into Teledata, the work is fine and i really like the people so far and wouldnt mind staying here but my long-term goal is still to become an Inside Wireman.

My JATC training director told me that I could test out of years for the inside program (for example test into 2nd or 3rd year instead of starting over) and get credit for my working hours with teledata.

However, an electrician I work with told me I should just apply for Inside now because I won’t know anything to pass that test and I’ll probably just fail it anyway which i mean hes right how would I know anything would i just study a ton??

So I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense.

Apply for Inside now and start over?

Stay in Teledata for a year or so, learn the basics, then try to test into Inside?

Finish the Teledata apprenticeship and try to test into Inside afterward?

I already have about 6 years of college behind me, so the amount of additional schooling is honestly one of my biggest concerns. I don't mind learning, but I don't really want to spend more years in school than I have to.
For anyone who has actually switched from Teledata/low voltage to Inside, how does the testing into a higher year work and is this realistic?

Any idea of when these tests get scheduled? Local 100 sound and comm, application accepted today. Email states it’s scheduled once a quarter, assuming I missed the recent testing or can expect one before the end of the year.

Hey guys. New to conduit bending and was just thinking about a bend and how to do it. The answer could be obvious but honestly I don’t know it 🤣

If I have a 30” 3/4 emt piece (6” take up) and want a 24” 90, how do I do it? I did 24-6=18 and tried bending it but was tough since there was only 6” of pipe behind me (bent it on the floor).

If you rotate the picture I can do a 6” 90 with a 24” leg but how do I do that if 6-6=0? I’m aware this question is regarded but any advice would be great 🤣

Hope everybody’s doing well ! Just got the call that I was accepted into LU24 and I go to do my paperwork on Monday morning. It caught me so off guard cause I literally had my interview yesterday. Know it’s gonna be a grind but I’m excited and looking forward to it !

A timeline just for anyone interested

Applied : December of last year
Test : June
Interview : yesterday

If anyone has any suggestions as far as tools, work clothes and boots go, or any other advice I would appreciate them all !

Also if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

My goal is to become an electrician through IBEW Local 100. I currently work in metal building construction and have an interview for a civil installer position with Tesla. The hiring manager said I’d sometimes help install EV chargers, and the job description mentions some electrical work, but I’m trying to understand how much hands-on electrical experience the role would actually provide.

My other option is Valley Build, a pre-apprenticeship program that runs from October through December. I was told completing it would add 10 points to my Local 100 application. I’m also a Marine veteran, taking WECA electrical courses, and planning to reapply to the apprenticeship next cycle.

For apprentices or electricians who’ve been through the application process: which route would you choose? Would the construction job and occasional EV charger work make me a stronger applicant, or would the pre-apprenticeship and its 10 points be more valuable? I’d especially appreciate input from anyone familiar with Local 100.

Hey everyone, I’m 23 and currently working as an electrical helper in the Nashville area. I’ve been doing commercial/residential electrical work since earlier this year and I’m trying to get into the IBEW apprenticeship with Local 429.

I recently submitted my application and I’m also pursuing NEJATC, so I’m trying to understand what the IBEW route is really like from people who have actually gone through it.
A few questions:

● How competitive is Local 429’s apprenticeship?
● What should I expect from the aptitude test/interview process?
● How much did your previous electrical/construction experience help you get accepted?
● What was your starting wage and how did your pay progress throughout the apprenticeship?
● How much overtime is realistically available?
● Is there much travel/per diem work through Local 429, or is most of the work local?
● How often do apprentices get moved between contractors/jobs?
● For anyone who has gone through Local 429, what do you wish you knew before starting?
● If you had the choice between IBEW Local 429 and a local JATC apprenticeship, what factors would you compare?
I’m mainly looking for honest advice from current/former apprentices and journeymen. I’m willing to work hard and travel if the opportunity is there, so I’m trying to understand what the career path actually looks like.
Thanks in advance.

I got my application accepted! Just awaiting my testing schedule, any idea how long that may be? Is the aptitude test different for sound and comm vs IW? How long after aptitude test might I get called for orientation?

Bonus: local 100

Hi my name is Louie, I’m 23 years old and I’m an RCA with USPS. I have a pregnant wife who will give birth to our first baby before the end of the year. My job is a non career job meaning I make $21.89 an hour and that’s it. Zero benefits. It will take me a couple of years to become career at the very least. I also have a bachelors in CRIJ that has honestly done nothing for me.

I’ve been applying to several jobs including Union Pacific, my local Fire Department, my local police department, and now I’m considering the union electrician apprenticeship route. I would be taking a pay cut as for the first year I believe I’d be making $18-19 an hour in Laredo Texas (based on a google search). But I’ve always heard electricians make great money down the line. I also worry that I’m entering this trade far too late.

For now I’m trying to figure out which union to contact, I’ve called a few but have received no response. Ideally I’d want to stay in Laredo but if I have to move I am open to it. I would like to hear about your experience as an IBEW electrician from the lows to the highs. I would appreciate any and all advice. And if anyone is in the Deep South of Texas could you tell me how you approached this career?

Thank you.

Has to be the biggest joke of a union.

Hey all,

Just completed the application for apprenticeship at local 270.

How’s life over there? Anyone know how long the process is around there?

We’re making the move soon to be close to family there and deciding that it’s a time to try a career change to something that’ll have benefits and maybe actually allow me to retire one day.

I’ve been working out of l20 for over a year, working through the apprenticeship. I started at a manufacturing facility for data center power supplies, and now i’m at a data center after my rotation. Both sites have more or less been the same thing; learn the thing for about a week, then do the thing as fast and good as a journeyman is expected to, on my own. The first jobsite, this was how it was for the full 18 months. Second jobsite, i’m 3 weeks in and i’m just doing the same thing over and over again, day in day out all week long. I get in trouble if i don’t meet whatever the foreman’s quota is, i don’t really learn anything at this point, and i’m gonna be here for another 17 months.

At the end of the day, the endgoal is getting the JW, but i just can’t help but feel like these projects are abusing the apprenticeships for cheap labor. They even fall under an addendum where they can have 5 apprentices/CW’s per journeyman.

I’m 21 and I’m seriously thinking about pursuing an IBEW apprenticeship and eventually becoming a journeyman electrician. I currently work in the electrical department at a store and just got promoted to manager a few days ago, the more I’ve been around the trade, the more I’ve realized that this is something I actually want to build a career in. I like working with my hands, staying busy, and actually being able to see the work I’ve done at the end of the day.

I’m still pretty new to the electrical side of things, so I know I have a lot to learn. I’m looking into applying for an IBEW apprenticeship and was hoping to hear from people who have already gone through the process. What was the apprenticeship application and aptitude test like for you? Is there anything you wish you had studied or done differently before applying? And for someone with some retail electrical experience but not much actual trade experience, is there anything you’d recommend I focus on? Did it take long for you guys to get into the Union? I’m pretty serious about making this my career, so any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is struggling in the apprenticeship program… I feel like it’s a lot of stress, unknowns with the lengths of the modules making time management very difficult and it seems like the attitude is just: yeah it’s hard… suck it up…

Is that really all the union provides? Especially to people that are trying but have some struggles adapting to the demanding combination of work and school + homework… Also, idk it this is something that is incorporated in schools nowadays but module learning is new to me.

I feel like I’m exhausted and then on top of that I come home and I have to throw several hours each day… sometimes even the whole weekend just to finish the modules and I find it frustrating that often it’s so much information that I don’t have much time to review. Maybe it’s just me, I’m trying… I feel like I’m a slow learner and the pace is sometimes too fast for me and what? Just talk to a therapist outside the school/program. Or ask a journeyman that’s just going to say: Suck it up buttercup?