Not sure exactly what the rules are with apprentices doing work. I know a few electricians in Chicago that I could have worked with if I hadn't relocated, but in Indiana I don't really know anyone.CarpenterSFO said:What's the law say about apprentices in Indiana? In California the rule is essentially that electrical work has to be done by the contractor or by someone in a real apprenticeship program, so there's a healthy demand for apprentices. I'd sure emphasize that you're interested in being an apprentice, not just a helper, or you could find yourself carrying spools of cable around for the next 5 years. An apprenticeship program has dates and targets. Good luck.
Ain't that the truth!jb4211 said:Obviously, people do things without penis all the time.
I love it when I open a panel and all the wires are bent at neat right angles, everything grouped and labeled. You can tell in a second looking at an electrical install if it's an anal installer and I really enjoy seeing neat meticulous work.jb4211 said:The electricians that I know are very anal about their work and extremely meticulous. Their panel boxes look extremely neat, everything labeled, very organized. I've opened boxes that looked like they had a bowl of spaghetti inside. They also don't hire anyone with experience. They prefer a great guy with a great work ethic that knows absolutely nothing about the electrical field but is willing to learn. Their philosophy is, they don't have time to break someone's bad habits. Better to train like a baby: crawl, walk then run.
I'd say I'm pretty consistent with being honest about my skills. I know guys who talk themselves up to clients, potential bosses and even other contractors/tradesman. That's never a good policy when your work leaves room for improvement. Nothing worse than bragging about yourself before delivering a very mediocre service.I have often said learn from an old guy...wanna learn alot find one who is semi retired but likes to keep up with code no matter how freekin stupid it is sometimes. We have to torque and mark everything
I'm one of them guys that makes a neat panel or J-box.....I mark my runs (commercial and res) Takes very little time and often it makes it faster when a crew is doing the work or you have to pass inspection
Getting into the trade isn't too hard. as someone else said go to the ELECTRICAL supply house ( NOT Blowes or Home cheapo) if nothing else ask them who is doing a volume business as they will often go thru people and might have an opening. DoL is another good place to look.
The biggest thing is be honest with your skills, Its hard to fake it into this trade. I honestly can run wire or bend tube better then alot of guys (all my life in building trades) but there is still terminology and stuff i don't know and have to ask about. Would i call myself a journeyman NO.... The guy who teaches me dosnt even call himself a journeyman even tho his dad started a large co and thats all they knew was sparking for 50 years
