Apprenticeship (Electrician)

[Solid Snake]

I withdrew out of college, i was taking Architecture and i thought to myself that it would be quite difficult to get a job because theres alot of competition. Don't get me wrong i love competing but if i dont make it i'd be wasting money and time, A lot of it!

Can someone tell me how the apprenticeship procedure works for Electricians please.

So i thought of going for an apprenticeship, not knowing which one i choose, i chose Electrician. (what ever i wright past here, im not quite sure what im doing, not exactly sure how apprenticeships work and i just needed to get into something fast because things were filling up real real fast and i have 2 days till school starts.

They make really good money(i hear) and theres a demand for them, so i called up many places asking for apprenticeships. People were confused what i was asking for because i just called up a bunch of companies if i could get an apprenticeship. Then i winded up with my college, asked them to get an apprenticeship and they said they would help me get a company to sponser me to go to school. I have an interview on Tuesday. Kool, i think i'm pretty lucky, i hear people take months to find.

So if the Interview goes good, i have to Study in school???? so it isn't like other apprenticeships where u just get a company and start working for them?

I'm somewhat confused because i never thought about and never really paid much attention to trades. If someone could clearify that this a good path to take, it would make me feel alot better... as of now i feel real lost without work/school.

thanks

[Shane Tesser]

To answer your questions....well im not an electrician, but i am a mechanic and we go through the same thing. Trades are huge money makers. Alot of ppl over look them, to me its because alot of ppl want office jobs, management, computers etc...sometimes i dont blame them..lol. This is however where we benefit. There is a drastic need in the market for skilled trades..and there is less then 1% or all graduates going into them. This equals money..and lots of it. Because there is such a need, often you can name your price. For mechanics the range goes anywhere from about 65-100+ a year....and yes there is ppl that work for less..but they are either no good..or just plain crazy imo!...although it depends on your area. Lets put it this way...out of all the ppl that i went to school with that went into business, or computers etc...i make a heck of alot more then they do. The work can be nasty...to when the pay comes you somehow forget it all ever happened!

Apprenticeships work like this. Depending on the field you choose the time and money may differ. First off, it takes years to become licensed. And with that, you have to be ready to make sacrifices such as money right off the bat. The average Apprentice first year will make anywhere from about 9-15 an hour....if you get more..your doing really well...again, depending on area. For me the process took five years. By law i am required to fulfill 5 years, or 9000 hours of hands on practical work (ie...actually doing the trade) During this time, i was to fulfill two months of school for three years. Depending on the company you work for during the schooling they may pay you..but often you are layed off and have to collect unemployement in that time.....infact its so common, the EI ppl come right to the school to sign you up. To get an apprenticeship is not always easy...it costs a company money...money they are willing to invest in you to become licenses..which is your ultimate goal. During that time, you will have to be required to buy tools...again depending on the trade it varies what youll spend. For me, at current according to receipts i have over 50K worth of tools. These days its easy to buy them, but when i started, basically all of my money went to them...now dont let this discourage you....you will not require that many tools to become an electrician...you guys get off easy..lol. I would say you probably wont need more then about 1500-2000...which youll buy along the way as you need them. Once you get an apprenticeship from a company you get shoved right into it. Usually apprentices get the nasty stuff...and for a long time....or until you prove that your ready and earn respect. I have worked in 9 shops in my life. During that time, i have yet to find one that was 100% pleasant to be an apprentice in....you will get ridden by your peers big time, we all did, and we all continue to do it to the new kids. Why? Getting you to think one day may prevent you...or one of them from getting killed....tough love you never forget..dont worry about it...we all go through it. Well..thats about all i can think of. Good luck with the interview...if you have any other questions feel free to ask, Shane. :)

[burmer]

I'm not sure how it works in Canada. I did an apprenticeship in roofing. I had to go through a union. I contacted the roofers union and apply and go through classes for a few years while I was working.
So you might want to do a search for electricians unions and contact one.

[Solid Snake]

wow thanks a lot shane, that really boosted and motivated me. All i have to do now is get ready for my big day, the interview. I've only worked 1 job in my life and i've been there for 5 years so i'm not sure on how to give a really good impression. How would i make them like me and what do i wear? Do i need to make a resume ready?

[Gary D.]

This is how it works out west. There are two ways to get into the electrical trade. First off is the old fashioned way of beating on the doors of every electrical contractor and dropping off resume's for the position of first year or starter apprentice. the second way is enroll in a pre-employment program. This may give you an edge in the hiring market, but in reality, doesn't count for a hill of beans. Once a company agrees to endenture (hire) you you go through a two month trial period at labourer rate (typically a little above minimum wage). You will then be assessed if the company wants to keep you or let you go. (So the best way through this is to shut up, do what you're told, and bust your @ss. Even when you get the crap work. Journeymen hate whining, cause we've all been there too. And whinning will not win you any respect. Once you are endentured you make 50% of journeyman rate for the first year, 60%-2nd, 70%-3rd, and 80%-4th. Each year is broken down to hours on-the-job and classroom, which works out to be 10 months on the job and 2 in school. (except your last year).

Now about the electrical trade. It can be tough, both to find work and to keep it. But if you're known as a hard worker and apply yourself you will never be unemployed for long. It is not the best paying trade, and you will likely never make your fortune as an electrician, but it pays well enough. Out here J-man rate is about $25-28/hour, and more if you're willing to work up north in the oilpatch. As a first year electrical apprentice you can acquire all the tools you will need for as little as $200.00.

Getting hired. Here are some tips, Go talk to your prospective employers in person, and if only the secretary is there, go back and meet face to face. batch mailed resume's end up in the round file 80+% of the time. If you have a flowery resume' scrap it. Just say who you are, what you want and what experience you have and don't pad. If you have none so be it, if you have a pre-emp course good, mention it and leave it at that. Don't tell your future employer what you can do for him or the company, because they know better what you WILL be doing for them than you do.

Any more questions just ask, or contact me.

[Bryce Masuk]

http://www.learnandearn.bc.ca/learnandearn.htm

This site I was told to look at I am pretty sure everything is nearly the same in b.c. as in ontario but you might want to run it through a search engine it give you a good outline of everything and a list of trades electrician may not be what you really want

[Solid Snake]

would i need to know about electricity before i go to the interview? i have no experience in the field, can someone elaborate on what electricity is? just the basics thanks.

[Gary D.]

not even a hope of explaining it here. But I doubt you'll need to know anything.

[Solid Snake]

phew thanks... i just need alot of modivation to get me pumped up...

[Canadaherp]

Originally posted by Solid Snake
would i need to know about electricity before i go to the interview? i have no experience in the field, can someone elaborate on what electricity is? just the basics thanks.

well quite simply put electricity is the flow of electrons from negative to positive, and you have to know not to touch a live wire and how to insulate the properly, my suggestion... find a simpler trade.

[Bryce Masuk]

To be an electrician you Dont even need to know that. You need to understand stuff like hotwires and grounding posts and Circuit breakers All in all its simple as can be You dont really need to know much since you will be doing bitch work yes bitch work But you will be paid more then minimum wage so dont complain You will carrying tools spools of wire Boxes What ever they tell you to do no more no less