ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Need Some Sound Advice...

Nah... I could never pass the tests... And if I did they'd soon discover that I don't know what I'm doing!

Besides, I figure if I've got enough money to move away, then I've got enough money to stay! And here, I'm becoming a big fish in a small pond.



[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 11-08-2002).]

Pretty much have the same feelings others here do.

Had to deal with the attitudes which Pearlfish described - and this was the early 1980's! Arrogance at it's best!
Due to this, I'll be damned if anyone coming near me will be dealt an attitude when trying to learn!
[many threads I have written about this, not news to the "Elders" in the forum].

Good luck to you in your Career change / upgrade.
Luckilly you are coming into the trade at a time when Technology has advanced to the point where single minded Jokers are cast out and their Dic*etry will not be tolerated.

<flames spewing from my ears from old memories>

Scott S.E.T.

Allow me to add that said helper currently works for a lawn care service running a weed-whacker 8 hours a day for $7.00 per hour and it's his third season working for the guy. He's considered the best worker there.

He considers coming to work for me the opportunity of a lifetime.

Just giving a little perspective.

Ok 66 now I envy you. 26K a year makes for very litle in taxable income. Through three quarters I have paid more than 1/2 that in taxes to Uncle Sam and The peoples republic of Massachusetts. This is for myself only with no empleyees. At least the feds use the money for good at times. Such as the for the CIA with unmanned drones blowing up our enemies over in those third world waste lands. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling!

Virgil,
I'm convinced that you're paying a good wage and it sounds like you're the man to work for there. Good luck w/ your new helper good help is hard to find!

Hey 66, Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like you were ripping people off. I'm sure what you pay reflects the cost of living, market conditions in your area, etc. I started out at $8 and hour too, and that was only 5 years ago.

Burr-
A few things about the IBEW program.
It's a good program from what I have heard. I applied and was accepted to it myself. However, the work situation in my area is dismal with 200+ JWs on the books and numerous apprentices laid off as well, so I walked away from it. I couldn't deal with the constant hire-and-fire cycle.

Be prepared to make a 10 year committment to the union. You do this by signing a legal document stating your apprenticeship training is considered a loan, and that you pay back your loan by working it off. (5 year apprenticeship, 5 year payback). If you decide to quit at anytime in that period, you have to pay them for your training, pro-rated. In the local here, it's $12,500 for 5 years of training.

You also sign a "non-competition" agreement, stating that if you quit the union at any time, you must not be employed by a non-union contractor for a full year after you quit.

School is 2 nights a week, 3 hours per class, and attendence is mandatory. Missing class and low grades (less than a 70 average) will get you kicked out right away.

When you show up for your interview, make sure you have a passport photo in addition to your drivers license! This is very important.

As everyone else has said, show up on time, work hard, and you'll do OK! Study hard, learn as much as you can, and stay at the top of your class.

I wish you the best of luck!


Just for reference, pay in this area is:

Union: 1st year apprentice: $11.66/hr. Raise every year incrementally 40, 50, 60, 70, 80% of JW rate. JW rate:$29.50/hr. Plus benefits.

Non-union: Apprentice: $8-15/hr. JW: $20-25/hr. (approximately) Plus benefits.



[This message has been edited by CTwireman (edited 11-09-2002).]

I am in my 2nd year as an apprentice and I make $16 an hour and have never had less than 40 hours, usually 50 and always time an half for every hour over 40.
Started off at $14 an hour and got two $1 raises so far.

I pay $6 a week and my employer kicks in the rest for full insurance coverage, I get 7 paid days off (includes sick and vaca.) My company provides us with cordless and power tools (hilti hammer drills, cordless drills and sawzalls) which we take home and keep unless we leave the company.

My company is in Mass. and is nonunion.

I knew they treated us good but did not know how good until reading some of the posts on here. I never realized in some parts of the country the electrical field is not as respected as it is in New England.

We're still respected...

City and County Cops here make $6 to $8 per hour.

Fireman work for free.

Doctors are leaving in droves because malpractice insurance is out of this world here...

Lower middle class are considered rich snobs.

No one complains of losing their 401Ks to the internet stock crash, because nobody had anything invested!

Wisconsin was so weird for me... They were trying to sell me the job by making offers like profit sharing and 401Ks and health insurance rather than me trying to sell my ability to work!

It's all a matter of perspective...

I have no rent or mortgage. No truck payment (yet), all my tools are paid for, I can survive on less than $1000 per month, although it's no fun.

Very little crime, laid back area, beautiful scenery, and it's home to me.

CTwireman, no need to apologize, actually, I'm a little jealous!

new york city here.......the wages are a bit better........but.........i pay a thousand bucks to rent a 3 bedroom appt for a month(plus gas and electric) and my ciggies are 7.50 a pack......but thats what you get with a billionaire for a mayor who says everyone should tighten their belts.....i guess i wouldent mind too much with a few billion in the bank........but then........i wouldent be working either, thats for sure......

....better to eat beans & be laid back IMHO


(U can always supplement with livestock...)

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 11-17-2002).]