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

[Old Hippie]

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

Heck No!

 

[TheSiege]

sweet, i just have to get my transcript from my high school and college and i will be applying next week. i think the scary thing for me is that i will be quiting a job i have worked at for 10 years. thats right i started when i was 15, and its not a family business. oh well, we all have to take risks at some point

 

[TheSiege]

Any mid morning ATOTers out there that are electricians or have anything to add? anyone know what the schooling is like?

 

[dartworth]

Apprentices usually start out at 30% - 50% of journeyman's rate. You will usually get a 5% - 10% (of journeyman's rate) raise every 6 to 12 months. Most apprenticeship programs last 5 years.

When I was an apprentice, we went to school every other Thursday. It was like a regular work day and we got paid for the day. Some programs have apprentices come in at night on your own time...it varies from local to local.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get in right away. Over the 5-10 years there is going to be a real shortage of skilled trade workers. The trades are actually starting to see it now, and it will continue to become a growing problem.

 

[TheSiege]

how long until you were accepted? my company will be downsizing next month, and it would be nice to be "let go" around the same time, it comes with a nice severance package...

 

[dartworth]

It all depends on when your local union is putting on new apprentice class...

 

[TheSiege]

how long did it take you?

 

[dartworth]

At the time, my local was putting on a class every other year...I put in my application and waited about a year or so...

I really wasn't expecting anything and I got a call on a Thursday that I would start on Monday...


I would put the application in...you never know what is going to happen and you can always turn it down.

 

[TheSiege]

anyone have any idea how the aptitude test is? what i should study before hand?

 

[SirStev0]

never too old... go for it.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: 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

I went back to school at 28 and didn't finish my degree until I was 31...you're not too old.

 

[TheSiege]

ok so can someone tell me about being an apprentice for a non union electrician?

 

[TheSiege]

where are all the electrical workers at?

 

[jpeyton]

Too old. Look for a retirement home instead.

 

[ApacheXMD]

I'm just finishing up my first year as an electrical apprentice for IBEW Local 6. It's been great so far, pay is decent (only 40% journeyman's wages) but the work is always challenging and rewarding.

At my local, the apprenticeship test was basic reading comprehension and basic algebra. Didn't go any further than that. It was a piece of cake. From the day I submitted my application to the day I was at work, it was about a 6 month wait. Not too bad. I know some guys who've been waiting for YEARS (but those guys weren't exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer). Just brush up on algebra and you should be fine. There was also an oral interview involved, where they asked you to describe a challenge you have faced and how you overcame it, stuff like that.

Anyhoo, 25 isn't too old. That's when I started, I'm 26 now. 5 years may seem like a long time, but I think the long term benefits can't be beat. I'm looking forward to turning out (what they call it when you finish the apprenticeship and become a journeyman). Can't wait to rake in the General Foreman wages!

-patchy

 

[rival]

I turned out from local 401 almost 2 years ago, and it has been great. Pay starts off slowly, but its well worth it. I'm 25 now and make 60k/year, have 0 college debt and can travel anywhere in the us and work out of any local.

The schooling is easy as well, its not much at all vs college. Working construction is pretty rewarding as well, its hard work but the pay is nice. A sense of accomplishment knowing you worked at certain places and helped build them, etc.

It's something I'm glad I did, don't know where I'd be without it.

Right now i work for a contractor, same one for the last 6 years, doing fire alarm system design/estimating/service. All kinds of opportunities can open up during your appreticeship and afterwards.

 

[Eos]

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?

Those are benefits on top of the journeyman wage you receive. Total wage package is $27.88 per hour plus the two % items.

 

[nonameo]

?? Can someone tell me what the hours are like for the average electrician? I'm also interested in this, but I don't want to get into anything where constant work hours over 60/wk are an expected and regular thing(like 3 wks out of the month)

Preferrably I'd like to be able to work 40hrs a week, w/ optional overtime, but I know that the new workplace doesn't allow that and those kind of hours are something of a dream now.

Also, in regards to the "on the side" work, does that apply only to electrical work, or is that any kind of on the side business? I also have interests in other things and might want to pursue something in that direction at the same time.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: nonameo
?? Can someone tell me what the hours are like for the average electrician? I'm also interested in this, but I don't want to get into anything where constant work hours over 60/wk are an expected and regular thing(like 3 wks out of the month)

Preferrably I'd like to be able to work 40hrs a week, w/ optional overtime, but I know that the new workplace doesn't allow that and those kind of hours are something of a dream now.

Also, in regards to the "on the side" work, does that apply only to electrical work, or is that any kind of on the side business? I also have interests in other things and might want to pursue something in that direction at the same time.

..years ago when I worked in new construction (Plumber) we all reported to a job site at 7:am and worked till 3pm.. 5 sometimes 6 days a week.

 

[rival]

Yea we worked 7am to 3:30pm with a 30min lunch, it was great, getting home at 4pm everyday of the week, overtime is always optional, if you dont want to work, tell em to suck it