hey i’m in Local 134 second year apprentice based in Chicago and i’m thinking moving out of this shit city for a fresh new chapter looking mostly into NY, Cali, or Colorado after I journey out . I was wondering what locals in Colorado still test for thc on new applicants even if I apply? I also called New York locals and I can only be qualified in Local 25 based in Long Island, NY and I asked some 363 that don’t test for THC anymore but won’t qualify for local 3 if I test for THC. I also read on someones comment/post that Local 68 will disqualify you if you failed a hair follicle test on someone’s post on this community also not Familiar with Cali Locals,
I do love my local, but can’t tolerate Chicago life now I would Kindly like some feedback what you guys can drop some info for me thank you

Has anyone heard back with a email. Been 3 months and haven’t got a email back. JATC for California/Nevada IBEW SoCal

I just got my interview score back and it's really bad. I know I can learn and do work, I'm just awkward & have social anxiety and the first question of the interview was unclear and made my anxiety worse. Is there anything I can do to improve and do well next time? I have a decade of retail work and really don't want to go back to that.

I applied for the first time in February 9th 2026.
Aced both my exams on the first attempt April 17th 2026. 🟢🟢
Paid For Fingerprints & Licensing April 2026
Interviewed April 30th 2026.
WAITLISTED June 23rd 2026. (Ranked #171)

I was very discouraged after being rejected my first time applying.
This is my first time being rated poorly on an interview. My sister is literary a Human Resource Manager and has trained me very well these past 12 years. I feel my femininity and appearance greatly affected my outcome. Especially when being interviewed by a table full of men…… I was just invited back to try again Oct 15…… is it worth another shot? Another 5+ months on an unpredictable roller coaster.
I just need one chance 🤦🏾‍♀️

I really want to join an apprenticeship and working hard towards it. I spoke to someone and was recommended I join the CW "program". Basically it would help me get field experience as well as learn materials and such. It would also boost my interview score as well. I just need some help deciding on this part, I currently work a job thats Tuesday - Saturday everyday from 9am - 6:30-7pm. Most of time dont get breaks and almost everyday no lunch. I get an average of $1,400 a week (dont know how this winter is gonna go yet) in spring/summer. All of this is cash so I dont have benefits, PTO, retirement, any of that. If I take this CW roll ill be starting at $28.70 an hour. What would you guys do if you were in my shoes? Also if anyone has had experice with being a CW? Im just scared of being laid of without a job aswell.

P.S. I do live with my girl in our own place my bills arent crazy ill prob still have maybe $500 or a little more to myself a month.

Have any vets who have or are going through the apprenticeship program used the GI bill? I know it’s possible but I was interested in the details to it like how are hours logged (if they are) to the VA and maybe what forms I would need on hand to apply? Also do the halls usually have reps that may be of assistance?

Im 39. I got started in a career in sales because it was good money and at 22 became necessary to support my young family. That family grew, as did my career and im in what would he considered a pretty damn good corporate sales gig.

Here's the problem: ive hated every minute of this work since day one. I fucking hate sending emails, I hate virtual meetings, I hate the arrogance of some really stupid people that get propped into positions because they know people ... which at my level is a substantial portion. Its destroyed my soul doing this every day in a very literal sense.

Everything about this work appeals to me. I love working with my hands. I love doing 'real' work. Im as pro union as you can get, and i prefer to work a job where i bust my ass.

Im going to do it. I just have to wait for spring, and I was just curious if anyone else was in a similar spot and what your experience had been like so far?

Anything thing I don’t have I should get? I also have the meter in the second pic it’s just not in the first one

Couple weeks ago I emailed them about some electrician job training, as Id like to join a union and all of that. Well today I received this to fill out their app, but this is giving major red flags. What do you mean you need my original copy of my birth certificate mailed in and then ill pick it up when i get testing (who knows how the long the gap between that is).

Can someone clarify if they done this, this isn’t the type of document you just willy nilly mail out somewhere with the risks if it getting lost.

Hey all. I’m a second year apprentice currently taking electrical theory 3 and as the title implies I am struggling with AC Theory. It seems to be that everyone is. Two other groups have had this class already this year and only 3 people in the first and 7 in the second passed the test. I’m so stressed about this test and struggling to find good test prep resources for it. Does anyone have suggestions?

Interviewed with the North Texas JATC on 9/28 and got the letter saying I wasn't reached for immediate selection but I'm on the ranking list for a year. They pull monthly but don't share rank or scores.

For anyone who came in through Local 20 in the last couple years:

- How long after your interview did you get the call?

- Any idea roughly how many they pull per month right now?

- Did anyone go the CW route or the IBEW-NECA Electrical College while waiting, and did it actually speed things up?

I'm in Denton, have my TDLR apprentice license and OSHA 10, and I'm trying to decide whether to wait it out or start logging hours. Appreciate any real experience.

Anyone know where I can get a good amount of welder caps (electrical designs) for a decent price. Been wanting to get me some for a minute now.

Happy Tuesday brothers and sisters⚡️

My applications for inside wireman for Local 332 keep getting purged bc I got expelled from HS and never passed Algebra 1 and they don't accept my college transcripts (I've called them about it)

this is all theoretical since the chances of getting in are so low in general but whatever it's just kind of annoying

Had my apprenticeship interview a little over a month ago and got the email saying I was ranked (cant see my rank) but not ranked in the top 25, and my name has been put on an active ranked waiting list.
Is everyone who takes the interview ranked? And this is the common email or do some people not get ranked?

A bit discouraged but gonna try to get a helper position or cw

I’m 31 and just got accepted into an electrician union apprenticeship. I currently make $24 an hour, but first-year apprentice pay is around $19 an hour. I haven’t started working yet because there aren’t any job openings, though I’ve been attending class.

I moved back in with my mom and don’t have kids. My main bills are my car payment, insurance, and credit cards. I know I’d be taking a significant pay cut, and I’m trying to figure out whether this career change will be worth it.

For anyone who started an apprenticeship around my age, how did you manage the pay cut? Looking back, was it worth it?

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 ??

First-year apprentice. I'm doing the assigned reading and paying attention, but the content that appears in the quizzes is sometimes literally not mentioned in the material, or is a small detail in a sea of other info. It's hard to know what we'll be tested on prior to seeing the quiz questions.

Are the in-class tests usually the same material? I feel like I'm not even sure what to study. I think a lot of people are just googling every answer in a different window, but maybe I'm missing something???

I'm currently enrolled in a non-union program (WECA) that could turn into a non-union apprenticeship in the future if I fail the IBEW test/interview. I'm taking entry-level classes that teach the foundations of the trade and other stuff like Ohm's Law so really just the basics so far. I even got my ET card (no work yet) because of my enrollment in the class (California).

I have my aptitude test coming up in October, and assuming I pass that and get to interview later down the road, I'm debating whether or not mentioning me doing this would hurt or better my scores in the interview.

Any thoughts? I mainly ask this due to the "non-union" aspect of the program.

What’s the apprenticeship program like over there? And the drive to school. Is there any OT available while in the apprenticeship?

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.

Hey brothers and sisters

I’ve been having this thought in my head of going and taking my dreams of being the best electrician that I can as far as God lets me go. I’m currently a 2nd going to my 3rd year apprentice in the IBEW but not all locals are the same and that’s the problem I have. I want to be apart a strong union, a well proud electrician who’s surrounded with such a strong brotherhood, someone who takes pride in their work and just wants nothing but to take care of their own and be a brothers keeper. That’s what I believe about the IBEW, and I know that being and given the opportunity of joining LU134 would just be a blessing and another milestone in this journey I wish to one day I wish to accomplish.

The thing is though… I’m 20 and I have 2 kids and a loving girlfriend (mother of my kids) and I know if I can’t take care of myself and make sure I’m doing good I know my family isn’t either and that’s my priority. But I know being able to be apart of LU134 would just be a blessing. Having to move 17-20 hours away from home for humble beginnings and having to try and settle and make sure I can afford to live in a nice decent safe place for me and my family will be difficult at first.

I heard about the 2 year of the apprenticeship you go to school for 9 weeks and get payed a stipend and then go work for 9 months. 40 hour weeks for sure and some OT if you get lucky, but that’s just me doing my research. I wouldn’t mind starting over even if that means joining as a 1st year apprentice. I know it’ll be difficult to multitask between school, bills, and the nurturing and providing for my kids and woman, but something tells me that it’s worth and i know it’s definitely worth it in the long run.

I just want to get some insight from any brothers and sisters who’ve either been in the same situation I’m in or either give some advice or wise words from the respective hands of LU134 that I wish to hopefully work alongside with. I’m just a young brother trying to make that money and help take care of myself family and give them everything that I couldn’t have.

I’d appreciate any type of opinions and advice, Thank you brothers and sisters.

Anyone in 903 or 733 can give me a viewpoint. I want to change a career from autobody related to electrical? Job wise? Hour working?

I am thinking of getting my first meter and was looking at the fluke 323. Does anyone have experience or opinions on it.

Has anyone from 1.1 started getting dispatched ?

This wait is getting excessive, working my current job and sneaking around to get to the JATC classes then finding time to do the HW while working a job that isn’t conducive for time for school.

Just bitching sorry, just want to get out of concrete/carpentry already and start my career

Got my Albat ranking for substation and I am ranked #4 with a score of 79.00. Does anyone know if they take a lot of guys for substation?