Finding an apprentice/helper position

4076 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by dielectricunion, Aug 7, 2014

dielectricunion

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2014

Anyone have suggestions on the best way to go about looking for a job in the electrical field? My experience is mostly a range of independent remodeling work, some time working for a total hack GC, and working for a small carpentry shop.

I have done a fair bit of residential electrical in Chicago (I know - this is totally frowned upon), and studied the NEC when I have free time.

Last year I moved to Bloomington IN. I looked into a community college here that offers electrical course programs but between paying tuition and taking time out of my schedule, I probably wont be able to afford to live.

The AHJ here for electrical licensing/permitting is Monroe county and they use NEC 2008 with Indiana amendments.

Anyway, I would really love to work toward a job as an electrician. I know as an apprentice, the pay will suck and it will most likely take a long while before I can legitimately call myself any kind of electrician.

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Red Adobe

· #21 · Jul 28, 2014

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

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dielectricunion

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jul 28, 2014

Red Adobe said:
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

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.

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woodchuck2

· #23 · Jul 28, 2014

Look into the local help wanted, check to see where the bigger projects are going on and like some others said ask around the supply stores.

I myself am not licensed nor is it a requirement here so maybe i should not be advising on this issue but i can say figuring out load calcs is not that hard, sizing wire not that complicated and rarely does one run into transformer work. 3 phase is about the only time i get into transformer work and that is only for step down transformers or converters. Any other transformers are wired in from the POCO. There are differences in field, you would be amazed at how many linemen have no clue how to wire circuits in their own homes just as i know little about what they do. Then you have guys working appliances, a totally different aspect of the field. Apparently a licensed electrician is suppose to know how to wire in the transformer on the high line to diagnosing a digital clock on the kitchen oven. Can i do that? Nope.

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JBrzoz00

· #24 · Aug 5, 2014

Personally I would look for a smaller contractor to work for. If you show up and show initiative you'll probably be taught things quicker. If you go to work for a large/huge company they will probably use you for "dumb work" longer. Just my .02

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JBrzoz00

· #25 · Aug 5, 2014

Also, it wouldn't hurt to see who does mostly high end work.

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dielectricunion

Discussion Starter · #26 · Aug 7, 2014

Yeah, it would definitely be kind of a bummer to do lackey work only for a straight year; especially working for a company that does, say, mostly new construction cookie cutter stuff.

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