Macwire,
IMHO, there is no better way to gain good experience than a union apprenticeship program. Each local does things a little differently than the next. In my case, we worked 5 days, and went to 4 hours of night school, two nights per week. But that was over 20 years ago.
If the local economy is good, and there is a lot of building going on, the apprenticeship committee will attempt to transfer its apprentices around the local every so many hours in order to offer the apprentices a more varied background. A record is normally kept of the hours worked in a specific application, (eg. underground, industrial, commercial, residential, fire alarms, etc.).
Most of the journeymen that you will work with will be eager to teach you. Safety should always be #1 on your mind. You will often times be expected to be the go-fer. Keep a small notebook in your pocket to write things down so you don't forget anything. Be eager, but definitely follow instructions. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
The jobs that I worked on as an apprentice are by far the most memorable.
[This message has been edited by Matt M (edited 11-21-2002).]
