Be All In: How to Start and Magnify Your Apprenticeship

As an apprentice in Local 291 I am often asked questions about the apprenticeship by potential applicants, construction wireman (CW), and even people outside of the construction industry. I don’t claim to know all the answers nor will I try to tell you that there are sure fire ways to join the apprenticeship as everyone’s entry into the Union and journey through the apprenticeship process here in Local 291 is unique. 

In order to get a solid snapshot of the program, I thought it best to take the time to compile some of the regularly asked questions and have several IBEW Local 291 individuals in different stages of their apprenticeship answer those questions. 

The following interviews were conducted at the voluntary willingness of the individuals, they were not compensated in any way, shape, or form. I have maintained the integrity and spirit of their answers by leaving them as they responded so their tone can be reflected for you to see. Each brother or sister was asked the same five questions and asked to respond in as little or as much detail as they were comfortable doing.

	McKenna Nichols 2nd year apprentice	Moises Flores 5th year apprentice	Don Barnes 1st year Journeyman
How did you originally hear about the Local 291 apprenticeship?	“I started looking into construction jobs as a career when I realized I didn't want to pursue a college degree. I quickly realized electricians make the most money and researched entry level positions in the treasure valley. The JATC popped up on google maps and when I walked in to ask about the program I was relieved at their willingness to explain everything to me. I applied for a position and was accepted just a few months later.”	“My apprenticeship journey started in a different Union doing stationary electrical work which is a complicated title for someone who is a maintenance electrician on a plant. I joined the Operating Engineers Local 3 and they had a partnered schooling program with the Nevada Gold Mine Corporation. I completed my schooling through that program and was certified as a MSHA electrician but that provided me no opportunity to work in another field other than in or around Gold Mine Sites. My journeyman there( Franklin) told me that if I wanted to pursue the best well-rounded education in the electrical field, I had to join the IBEW apprenticeship. I started calling around and was accepted soon to L.U. 401,354, and 291. Only 291 would accept my school hours and work hours so I ended up here in Boise.”	“ I began my journey as an electrician in Vancouver, Canada. Because union membership has always been important to me as a member of the working class, the company I worked for offered membership to a smaller union specific to western Canada. For several reasons our team became unhappy with their representation and voted to organize into the LU 213 after an IBEW member salted our job and made us aware of the benefits of joining. I had plans to move to Boise not long after this, so began researching how to join the program to receive a proper electrical/labor education in my new home.”
What was your experience with the interview process and what advice can you give?	“I was extremely nervous for my interview because I don’t enjoy public speaking. It was intimidating to walk into the room but I did my best to stay calm, collected and confident. I made sure to pause and think about each question before answering. I recommend looking up common interview questions ahead of time and having some answers pre determined. At the end of the interview I was asked if I had any questions, I asked what the number one obstacle was for apprentices making it through the program. I think that having a question for the group at the end is important to show that you not only want them to want you but you are also thinking about what it might mean to be chosen.”	“My interview went great, like someone who would be considered a CW to them, I had experience and schooling to show that I was capable and ready for the challenge and was called with my acceptance the next morning.”	“The interview process is definitely the one I personally look back on as being the most difficult. I'm not much of a talker or a public speaker and find myself a bit nervous and shy in crowds, so to be at the head of a table with 10 people who I'd never met before asking me questions to answer on the fly like that was rough for someone of my disposition! I showed definite signs of anxiety but the committee couldn't have been more sweet about it. They offered me time to collect my thoughts, kept the atmosphere buoyant and non judgmental and overall more conversational than a rigid examination. My advice is just to remember that they genuinely have your best interests at heart, because they absolutely do.”
How easy was it to get in/ do you have any tips that may help improve my chances of getting in?	“It was fairly easy for me to get in, I’m sure that was partially due to the fact that I am a female and they were looking to increase the number of female apprentices when I applied. I also studied hard and did well on my placement test. Doing online practice tests can help improve your score considerably.”	“I wouldn’t consider my entrance into the program as easy as it sounds, this is because I did have to pay to go to school down for IUOE.  The cost of attendance was about 10,000 a year and the shift work and shut downs required by the Gold Mines, made for long days of school and long shifts.”	“I have three pieces of advice to do well on your aptitude test. 1) Khan academy algebra 1. 2) Khan academy algebra 1 3) Khan academy algebra. Honorable mention, which is just beneficial to life in general and not just the program, read more books to increase vocabulary and keep your reading comprehension sharp.”
How has the apprenticeship benefitted you?	“Joining the apprenticeship has been one of the best decisions of my adult life. The pay has always been higher than that of my friends in food service and retail jobs. The hours have been more consistent and predictable than previous jobs and the work has been fulfilling. I learn more everyday that I work and even more when I go to school, that constant growth has kept me engaged and excited to continue. Recently, having the income of an electrician apprentice has allowed me to buy a home in the treasure valley, something I never thought I’d be able to afford!”	“The apprenticeship has shown me that the electrical industry is growing so rapidly. Even though I’ve been in school for almost 6 years, there’s so much to learn and many things to do. Learning only stops when you give up trying.”	“The apprenticeship has offered me countless opportunities I couldn't be more grateful for. I've gotten to work with and learn from incredibly talented people, whether it be in the classroom or in the field. This knowledge and skill set has served me so well to kickstart an amazing career with almost boundless possibilities. Even as a 3rd year apprentice I got to work in Tokyo, Japan for 7 months and now as a green journeyman I'm working on a Meta data center making more money than I've ever made in my entire life. I could never have imagined myself doing so well in life had I not gone through this program. I'm still in awe of all it's done for me.”
How can I better prepare after I have failed the aptitude test or interview? What is next for me?	“If you fail to be accepted the first time it’s not over. We need more electrical apprentices more than ever so take a few months to gain experience on the job as a construction wireman (CW) and study what you struggled on. After a few months have passed you can reapply, and your chances of success increase each time. Good luck and don’t quit!”	“I had to take 3 aptitude tests, one for each location. I do recall there being many programs online that can help get some Pre Algebra refresher courses that are around 20-30 dollars. Ask the people around you preferably some apprentices that are in the same struggle. It never seems to fail that as soon as one person exits the struggle they never turn back to help others behind them.  Never forget it’s your responsibility to make it home safely, but as a good member of any local union, it’s our shared responsibility to keep each-other out of danger.”	“Refer to my advice in question 3, but more importantly do not get discouraged. I imagine the program is only becoming more difficult to get into as countless others are realizing the benefits of joining nowadays, so the competition must be getting more intense. You owe it to yourself to not give up.”

What I learned from my interviews with these fellow electricians is this: Being an electrician is more than simply a job; it is a career that will be with you for the rest of your professional life and if you want it, you have to go for it. There are times in the pre-apprenticeship process (and maybe even in the program) when you may feel discouraged. It is important to remember that the process is a marathon not a race. I am most often reminded of this sentiment when people would ask me how I could commit to the five year apprenticeship, that it was simply too long or too much time. The thing is, time will pass whether you're using it or not. In five years, you can see the results of your hard work, or you can sit there wishing you had started five years ago. If this is what you want, what you really desire, do not give up on it, your hard work and determination now will pay dividends to your future.

The apprenticeship, as it exists, has been in the works for over 133 years and in my opinion is hands down one of the most refined trade educations out there. There are people at the JATC, the Hall, and even your job-site who are cheering you on and who want you to succeed. Seek out those people, join the mentor program, and give the apprenticeship your all.