Keep trying, Sam...It's a good trade to get into; you can make a good living when the work's there... the good thing about a union apprenticeship is when you get your ticket, you can travel to any local that has work and start there at journeyman wage- no starting off low and working your way up the ladder again and again...
Of course, I am a little biased. I'm a 23 year veteran out of local 35 IBEW in Hartford, Ct.

Good Luck!