ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Union/Apprenticeship Questions

It sounds to me like the general consensus here is yes, you are being lazy, but it sounds like you may have been on to that already.

I'm a little curious why you are 28 and still in school? Are you going for post graduate work? Is the apprenticeship to be in addition to an engineering degree? If that's the case, then no, you aren't being lazy at all. You may someday be drawing plans that the rest of us have been dreaming of.

Hello Mr. Brubaker,
Well, if you came to this forum to ask this question, I can only think that you have put alot of thought into this.
Let me answer your questions with some sincere questions of my own.
You are a 28 year old student. How long have you been going to school? What courses have you taken in school? What courses are you taking now? Has math been a strong suit? What type of work have you done in the past (mowing lawns, McDonalds, quantum physicists)? What type of jobs do your parents do? Siblings? What type of interests do you have?
For the average American, 40 hour minimum work weeks do end after a certain amount of time, be it retirement or death. You get used to them. After a while, if you like what you do, you don't mind and actually look forward to going to work. It is a place to socialise and shine. You will make friends that become as close as family. You feel there pain, you feel there joy. That is life.
Entering into the apprenticeship program is a BIG undertaking.
I am indentured into an industrial electrician apprenticeship program. It is in association with the IBEW/NJATC. The key word here is indentured. I have given my word to the state of California that I will stay in this program for the full term of apprenticeship. I work 40 plus hours a week (up to 84) and go to school one night a week. I entered into this life (it is not just a job) knowing full well that it was going to be hard but fulfilling work. I am 37 years old and will finish the apprenticeship when I am 40.
If you want to see what it is like to be an electrician, contact the local IBEW and tell them your wishes. Be honest not only with them, but with yourself.
If you truly want this, I wish you well.
If not, step aside and let someone else step into the program.

Tim

Don't mean to sound rude but... Meow, 40 hours, meow... Have the benifit of inherited income? Are you French? (Where, I here they have 36 hour weeks?) The 40 hour week was fought long and hard for. Feel lucky that you are not required more, for less! When it was instituted a weekly wage was $12! A WEEK!
http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/history/flsa1938.htm

I know people with moderate saleries that put in 60-70.

While I was in the service I had occassion to be on duty for 126 hours a week, which equated to $1.18 an hour after TAXES and I was getting shot at on occassion. Your only time off was sleep! And there is no legal requirement for them to let you do that either.

We had a couple of apprentices that were worth about $1.18/hr.

I am a 29 year old, 3rd year apprentice who is also indentured. Everyone has pretty well summed it up so far. It is definately something you have to have in your heart and want. I can't tell you how bad I hate drilling concrete and setting anchors all day, but alas it is part of the job.

To offer this as a different look at what was said:

Are you asking about vacation time and the such? Because the local I'm in does not offer any compensation for vacation or sick days. If you need a sick day, all you need to do is call in. If you want a vacation, then try to give advanced notice of how many days and when.

Are you asking about hours for advancement? The NJATC has set it up to where you will need to be in school for 200 hours and also need 1600 of OJT per year to move up to your next pay scale. If you go to work and school on a regular basis and don't miss a lot of time, (you can miss days here and there) these hours come pretty easy.


As far as that goes, this trade is blue collar work. Very seldom will you see someone on the job with a suit and tie working. Everyone pretty much wears what they have available to them. I will admit though, that most true electricians are some of the most down to earth and real people you will meet. Make sure this is what you want first though.


[This message has been edited by GA76Apprentice (edited 11-29-2005).]

Are you by any chance related to a politician?

If 40 hours a week isn't enough for you as you gain some experience you can probably pick up some side work. There's always a neighbor that needs an extra receptacle in their garage, a ceiling fan hung, or some undercabinet lighting installed.

I think we have made the point clear that BBrubaker will be looking at 40 hours or more per week if he chooses to come into this trade. With good luck and good health it will provide a good living. So with that said, it is time to close this thread and move on.

Roger