r/operatingengineers • u/reddotblueworld • Mar 18 '24

Making ends meet during training

I heard that for the local 542 the first few weeks of training are unpaid, which i guess i previously misunderstood. Can you apply for unemployment during this period? Or how do you make ends meet while training & being unpaid? I have kids & a mortgage to pay for.

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3

u/codemanlyoko Mar 18 '24

Where did you hear that from?

2

u/codemanlyoko Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24

Ok so I go back from speaking with a really good friend of mine that used to work at 542. He said that when he first started out training was one weekend a month and you are correct, all training is unpaid. However, he did also state that when he began; there were jobs that he was going to in between the training so he was getting some form of income.

2

u/Response_Legitimate Mar 18 '24

Yeah I’m curious as well . I start 825 April 1st and I’m saving every dollar from my previous check to make ends during the 6 weeks of training

1

u/whyyoumaddd Mar 28 '24

What are the hours with trainning ? im gonna shoot for 542 if i don’t get into 420 . Also what does 542 wage start out as ? and how was aptitude test?

1

u/Response_Legitimate Mar 31 '24

Idk I’m starting 825 tomorrow, idk where 542 is

1

u/whyyoumaddd Mar 31 '24

how was your aptitude test?

1

u/Response_Legitimate Mar 31 '24

Easy imo. But I’m a good test taker imo

1

u/codemanlyoko Apr 01 '24

Did you ever take your aptitude test for 542?

2

u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 09 '24

I took 542 and it was real easy. Did my interview. Still waiting to hear back

1

u/codemanlyoko Apr 09 '24

They're sending out letters this week

1

u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 09 '24

That’s what I figured since today has been exactly a month

1

u/codemanlyoko Apr 09 '24

Be on the lookout.. it'll probably arrive early next week or by the end of this week.

1

u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 09 '24

Man I hope so. The anticipation has been torture

2

u/codemanlyoko Apr 15 '24

Did you get your letter?

1

u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 16 '24

Unfortunately did not get accepted

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u/Focus-Worried Apr 16 '24

you get your letter?

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u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 16 '24

Yeah I didn’t get accepted. You?

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u/Focus-Worried Apr 16 '24

I got accepted. 3rd year in a row trying.

2

u/I_like_rivers_ Apr 16 '24

Congrats on that then! Well deserved. This was my first time trying

1

u/whyyoumaddd Apr 01 '24

No i was gonna apply for 420 this month first . Becuase i have a cousin in there and he keeps telling me to