i'm 25 am i too old to start an electrician apprenticeship

[EagleKeeper]

My kid brother is an electrician in Orlando.

He started at about 25 working for an electrial contractor.

At 43, he now answers only to the owner and is responsible for the bids and handling the crews. His biggest gripe is that he does not get out into the field enough.

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: isekii
How do you usually get an apprenticeship ?

here is the link for the newark union
Text

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Go to NY, they charge and fricken arm and a leg and get away with it because they have to be certified etc.

Just about all municipalities require some level of electrical certification before they'll hand out building permits. Making even simple mistakes can have dire consequences when it involves electricity.

 

[ponyo]

It's like getting paid to go to college and getting a guaranteed job upon graduating. About similar length of time but you get paid while learning instead of paying. No student loans to repay and you'll make more than most college graduates with almost 100% job placement. It's really a win-win if you like that sort of thing.

I'm a former college graduate turned trademan/contractor.

 

[TheSource]

Im trying to get an electrician apprenticeship also. I need to fix up a resume first.

What kind of electrician are you going to be?

 

[TheSiege]

indoor wireman

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
indoor wireman

Here is indoor wireman:

Journeyman Scale: $ 21.63
Health & Welfare: 4.50
Pension: 1.75
Annuity: 3.5%
Vacation: NA
Working Assessments: 5%

======================

What does that come out to after all those deductions? $10hr?

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: TheSiege
indoor wireman

Here is indoor wireman:

Journeyman Scale: $ 21.63
Health & Welfare: 4.50
Pension: 1.75
Annuity: 3.5%
Vacation: NA
Working Assessments: 5%

======================

What does that come out to after all those deductions? $10hr?

And this is based off of what?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
any electricians on the forums? wanna give me any advice? what i should read/do before my aptitude test?

1) put in the apprenticeship
2) Get exposure to everything you can, focusing on data centers
3) Get RCDD
4) Make mad cash

-edit-
There are serious problems happening in Data Centers - they all have to do with power and low voltage/fiber optic cabling (and cooling of course). If you can become an expert in this field and keep up on it you will be rewarded.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: TheSiege
indoor wireman

Here is indoor wireman:

Journeyman Scale: $ 21.63
Health & Welfare: 4.50
Pension: 1.75
Annuity: 3.5%
Vacation: NA
Working Assessments: 5%

======================

What does that come out to after all those deductions? $10hr?

Typically all those things are paid on top of your wage by the contractor with the exception of the working assessments.

I am in the Carpenters and the only thing I pay out of pocket is monthly dues, dues check off (WA) we call it is added to your check(.45 hr), taxed, and then deducted and sent to the Union by the contractor.

GL OP the Union can be an excellent avenue to a great pension plan. Its hard work but can be rewarding.

Typically Unions forbid doing work on the side for cash, and because of the risk electricians usually dont do it. Electricians in my area usually have a higher number of people on the out of work list, and have strict ratios of journeymen vs. apprentices on jobsites.

Best thing is the electricians have a pud job, much like a plumber and your work doesnt have to hold water

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
i'm 25 am i too old

I made it about that far before I started laughing uncontrolably...




Of course you're not too old... Sheesh

 

[TheSiege]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: TheSiege
i'm 25 am i too old

I made it about that far before I started laughing uncontrolably...




Of course you're not too old... Sheesh

i was referring to being too old to start an apprenticeship, not too old in general

 

[TheSiege]

looks like the pay goes as follows
13.66 for the first 6months 50% of 27.32
14.75 for the next 6 months 54% of 27.32
15.85 for the next 6 months 58% of 27.32
16.94 for the next 6 months 62% of 27.32
and so on and so on

 

[Descartes]

If you enjoy, the sky is the limit. It's a field that doesn't have artificial limitations, because you can always get your contractor's license and go from there.

My brother started about your age, and he's about 4 years into it. He really enjoys it. Go for it!

 

[TheSiege]

sweet, what else has he said

 

[TheSiege]

anyone else got any information?

 

[TheSource]

bctbct: What area do you live in?

 

[AlienCraft]

Go for it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I would do it if I was good with my hands. My mom owns a Jewelry business(she started it herself..amazing..does so freaking well) and she wants me to take over at some point. If I had any interest in jewelry she would so send me to italy or something to learn about jewelry and maybe even apprentice as a bench jeweler. Doesn't sound as profitable but all of the Jewlers I know makes a but load!

I love to travel...maybe I will take her up on it lol.

 

[KarmaPolice]

hrmm edit. Looking at the average salary of a Jeweler it is quite low. Maybe the 3 Jewelers I know are selling drugs on the side?

 

[S Freud]

After reading a lot of replies I was wondering the following:

What does it cost to go to "school." for this? Do you get paid while being and apprentice?

How long does it take before you are no longer an apprentice?

Do you think someone could do this and take maybe 4-7 credits of college work at the same time?

How long does it take to become a certified electrician?

Overall how much would this all cost to do?

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
its 5 years, 8000 hours, starts at 13.66 with a 4% raise after the first 1000 hours and 4% raises for every 750 hours thereafter. should i do it? and yes i can live off of a 13.66 an hour

It's good work. If you get your certs, you can make more. It is not 'easy' work, so make sure you dont get yourself fried.

The housing market is still hot. Whether it's new or old homes, electricians always have work.

Good luck.

 

[sygyzy]

I don't think it's too old. I think it's a great idea and I admire you going for it!

 

[huberm]

i am an apprenticeship manager. My advice is to join the national guard if at all possible as an electrician and gain some skill. This will put you at the top of the list to start an apprenticeship with the union.

 

[dartworth]

I started my pipefitter apprenticeship when I was 22.

25 isn't to old..I had a few guys that were over 50 in my class...


dmcowen674 has it all wrong...your H&W, Pension, and Annuity are paid by the contractors. The is part of your benefit package.

I'm not sure what scale he is listing either. Most cities I have worked in, electrician journeymen make over $30/hr. There are a few tradesmen here on AT that can answer most of your questions.