Posted: 7/17/2026 5:59:26 PM EDT
| Starting a new career as an electrician apprentice, wondered if there was any electricians on here I could bounce some questions off before I start? |
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Not an electrician but I deal with quite a bit of 3ph 480v equipment, and low volt building automation. I may be able to answer your questions. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
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Originally Posted By d1b3: I’m a licensed electrician. What’s up? So I'm starting with a local company that does mainly new residential and residential service work. They will sponsor me through the local IEC for the apprenticeship program. I'm just kinda confused on the pathways to take to become as well-rounded as I can to increase my earning power. There doesn't appear to be any licensing except a contractor's license? Any certifications I should work towards? What skills help increase earning potential. Is residential a good spot to stay or should I look to goto commercial/industrial in a couple years? Looking back over your career, what do you wish you'd learned sooner? |
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I wish I didn’t waste so many years in the residential world and went straight into commercial. Residential was a huge waste of time except for one reason… I knew how to do it and I did a ton of side work and made a ton of money. Once I got into a union apprenticeship, I had to unwind so many bad habits I learned from my residential days. Also, and I mean no offense to this… the IEC school is not highly regarded in the trades. It’s not something the big guys seek when looking for potential employees. We all know what programs suck, and that one is on the list. Fortis college is another one. I say this as a commercial/industrial contractor but in the HVAC and mechanical trade. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
| I applied for the IBEW but it sounds like it’ll be months before they move forward with the process. What would you recommend as far as apprenticeship programs or education to get the hours? The company I’m starting with is trying to move into commercial space but primarily does residential |
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What part of Ohio? I’m in Columbus, that’s the market I know very well. IBEW is hiring like mad right now to man the data centers. They even have radio commercials trying to hire. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
Originally Posted By ZW17: What part of Ohio? I’m in Columbus, that’s the market I know very well. IBEW is hiring like mad right now to man the data centers. They even have radio commercials trying to hire. I’m in Columbus. I applied for 683, 1105 is a bit of a haul for me |
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Originally Posted By dnmccoy: I’m in Columbus. I applied for 683, 1105 is a bit of a haul for me 683 is where you want to be. Backdoor the union and send your resume to every contractor on the list. They can hire you direct and sign you up with the union. https://www.ibew683.org/need_a_contractor/ |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
Originally Posted By ZW17: 683 is where you want to be. Backdoor the union and send your resume to every contractor on the list. They can hire you direct and sign you up with the union. https://www.ibew683.org/need_a_contractor/ Does that work? I’ve not heard of that. I’ve read to try and work as a cw while applying to get some experience |
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Originally Posted By dnmccoy: Does that work? I’ve not heard of that. I’ve read to try and work as a cw while applying to get some experience It does with 189 Plumbers and Pipefitters. I’ll talk to a very good friend of mine who’s a superintendent in 683 on Monday as ask his advice. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
Originally Posted By dnmccoy: So I'm starting with a local company that does mainly new residential and residential service work. They will sponsor me through the local IEC for the apprenticeship program. I'm just kinda confused on the pathways to take to become as well-rounded as I can to increase my earning power. There doesn't appear to be any licensing except a contractor's license? Any certifications I should work towards? What skills help increase earning potential. Is residential a good spot to stay or should I look to goto commercial/industrial in a couple years? Looking back over your career, what do you wish you'd learned sooner? The only thing the state recognizes that I am aware of is an electrical contractors license. I am sure there are certifications you can get that would look good on a resume but I suppose it all plans on what you would like to do. As far as earning potential goes learn as much as you can and don't be afraid to take on tasks and responsibilities. I am sure this applies to most jobs though. I worked for 1 company and it was a real small shop. I stayed there before I became eligible to test for my license and then went out on my own. The shop was mostly residential but we also did about 30% commercial/industrial. I think that set me up well in order to learn about the different areas of electrical work and set me up to go out on my own. There is a shit load to learn and it does take time so plan on several years before you're kicking ass. I can't say there is anyone thing I wish I knew earlier as there is so much to learn. Ask questions, get a better understanding of the tasks you are preforming. Don't just know how to do the task but know why. As a worker bee I am sure you would get paid better in the commercial/industrial space but I do not have much first hand knowledge about pay rates in that space. |
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I did talk to my friend this afternoon. He said 683 will not allow you to hire direct with a contractor. Everything has to go through the hall. They currently have 1700 applicants and that is what is taking so long. The other way is to have a hook (someone you know) inside the hall who can put a good word in for you. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
Originally Posted By ZW17: I did talk to my friend this afternoon. He said 683 will not allow you to hire direct with a contractor. Everything has to go through the hall. They currently have 1700 applicants and that is what is taking so long. The other way is to have a hook (someone you know) inside the hall who can put a good word in for you. Can your friend be my friend 
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