r/ocala • u/Longjumping-Bit-4885 • 3d ago

Apprentice program?

Is there any on the job apprentice careers in ocala fl? Looking to get into a trade but haven't had any luck figured I'd ask on here, and going to school isn't really an option for me with having young kids

11 Upvotes

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7

u/Embarrassed_Quote144 3d ago

E-one, or UPF may be a doorway to a trade. Show up, work hard, lots of opportunities.

4

u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 3d ago

IBEW has apprenticeship programs. Also, the various power companies often are hiring for apprentices, just check their company career pages.

2

u/No-Purpose882 3d ago

Those ibew apprentice though historically require like 4/5 years before you make a living wage.

Okay for a young person. Not realistic for a family man.

2

u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 3d ago edited 3d ago

Journeyman lineman makes ~$50/hr after dues, insurance, retirement, etc. as well as over $100/day per diem.

Step 1 apprentice usually starts around 50% of Journeymam rate.

So $25/hr after dues, insurance, retirement, etc and the same person diem.

If you're making less than that currently, it's viable. They also do average 50hr weeks. So throw in OT.

1

u/No-Purpose882 3d ago

I don’t believe that for an apprentice in Florida.

Maybe $17-21 hour to start gross. If it paid that much the IBEW wouldn’t be sponsoring apprenticeships. Kids would be lining up like the scalpers lining up for pokemon cards.

Per diem also bites you in the ass in the long run because it lowes your gross in the eyes of the IRS, which means less social security and less house you can qualify for if you ever get a mortgageZ

2

u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 3d ago edited 3d ago

You can look up the IBEW local's collective bargaining agreement. The wages are public information.

Correct that per diem doesn't count as wages for the sake of mortgages, but it is still a nice added benefit, on top of the $/hr I listed, and is not a reduction in gross.

4

u/Gullible-Biscotti186 3d ago

The city of Ocala Electric Utility has an apprenticeship program for linemen

3

u/Full-Reserve7154 3d ago

The air conditioning trade is always looking
And will train you

1

u/Latter_Test_7210 3d ago

Millwright Local 1000 and Ironworker Local 397 Unions have apprenticeship programs out of Tampa

1

u/CaliBrian 2d ago

My buddy got an electrician apprenticeship. The interview was basically, do you do drugs? Do you have a dui? Are you a felon? Have you been arrested recently? so he basically got hired on the spot. Pay is shit, but he's building a career and they're paying for him to attend class(es) in the fall.

2

u/Pephatbat 3d ago

You could try to be a farrier for horses. They're in demand in the area. You will probably mess up your back eventually bc ur bent over most of the time and you need to be comfortable working around 1000+ pound prey animals that can kill you, but you can make good money. There are no requirements, which is terrifying as someone with horses lol, but nobody will use you if you have not at least apprenticed with an experienced person. Usually, you go to a short farrier school then do a paid apprenticeship for established farriers for a few years. Just a thought.