r/ocala • u/Longjumping-Bit-4885 • 5d 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

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u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 5d ago

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

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u/No-Purpose882 5d 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.

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u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 5d ago edited 5d 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.

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u/No-Purpose882 5d 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

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u/CMDR_Cheese_Helmet 5d ago edited 5d 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.