Great video! Here are some more tips I've learned, from a humble 2nd year apprentice: Yes, try to solve problems yourself--but if you can't solve it after 20 minutes, ask for help. I got yelled at for trying to fix something by myself for too long. Keep a trash box with you to clean up wire clippings, etc. Wear gloves, and use clean hands to move ceiling tiles. Hustle whenever you walk Climb ladders quickly, one foot per rung while climbing. Arrive at least 20 minutes early every day. Talk little and don't reveal too much about yourself. People can use it as ammunition. Certainly don't talk bad about others. No political talk. Do NOT go in other people's tool bags. Do NOT steal batteries off other people's carts. Be the one to open the gang box and the one to lock it at the end of the day. Take responsiblity for mistakes. Don't blame others. Keep electrical tape, a knife, and a pencil on you always. Don't return from break before your journeyman. Go to the gym if you are not fit. Keep spare clothes in your car. Electrolytes in the summer.
Just recently got accepted into the IBEW apprenticeship program and I orientate next week, and i’m starting straight out of high school. Wanted to say thank you for the tips you gave on the aptitude test and interview video as they helped me out a lot.
IBEW Local 11 checking in, finished boot camp last Friday , and just got dispatched today. Want to say thank you for all the content you have put out. Your videos definitely helped me get into the apprenticeship and do well on my interview. To anyone else watching these videos, have patience and trust the process. Waited a year and that’s cuz work was slow.
Monday is my first day on job as an apprentice!! 👍😁 Finally I managed to be one thanks to your helpful videos… definitely I am keeping in mind those advices… wish me luck buddy.
The anticipation suggestion is a big one with me. It's what separates a good apprentice from an exceptional one. They're the ones going to be progressing most readily and most likely to support their brothers in the field when it's crunch time.
@MadElectrician I'd venture to say it's the difference between having something of an anchor attached to you as opposed to a secondary propulsion source. It's difficult having someone under your charge that doesn't identify a forward looking perspective on tasks they're routinely encountering. I understand some apprehension in undertaking new tasks etc. but it's another thing when the job has familiar and predictable facets and they're just waiting around for explicit directives.. which they should have known were next in progression. Anyhow great vid as usual. Definitely dig the channel and your work. Thanks for giving back brother.
As an apprentice who's been with a contractor for about a month now, this one seems impossible to do. Whenever I try to anticipate what comes next I get told I'm doing something wrong. Like taking a ladder downstairs because we were finished running a wire upstairs and downstairs was where we were going next. Or positioning my ladder to pull more slack in the wire when I could see we needed more, but was told not yet. Or being asked whats taking me so long when I'm rolling up the extra wire so it's not a big tangled mess on the floor of the mech room. I know I'll get better at anticipating what people need, but it gets frustrating when everytime you try to help you get scolded
Good video. I'm a non union apprentice in Portland Oregon. The number one thing that has helped me is anticipate what the J man needs next and have it ready. It helps the job flow better and it helps you to learn how to build things eventually when your alone
Don’t let anyone give you a hard time by complaining about picking up a broom and sweeping. Talking about “oh I’m above that and that’s for the lesser trades. Electricians are gods, we don’t sweep.” Those type of people are selfish and immature.
I knew as I was making the video that it would get a lot of reactions, so I definitely won’t. Maybe I should have added a 7th thing that I look for in apprentices (humility) 😂
My BIGGEST TIP to my fellow apprentices in their first year to be ✨HUMBLE™️✨. Listen to your Journeyman explain the task instead of stopping them and saying "Yeah, I know how to do that. I've done that before". It's more impressive to have an apprentice who listened to the task and NAILED IT (or perhaps tried his best), compared to one who said they knew how to do it.... Only to get it wrong. You will learn NEW tips from every different Journeyman you meet , so just because you think you know how to do it, it's worth listening and asking questions. That being said.... I'm not suggesting you get the journeyman to over explain a task you know 1000% how to do 😂 but doing this tip has taught me many ways to do one task and find the most efficient way, all while giving my Journeyman a chance to practice his teaching skills, and generally develop a stronger bond with them.
Good video! If JW's see these skills they are also more inclined to show/teach you more things! I'm an IBEW apprentice and I'm currently learning how to bend rigid conduit with my JW because he said I showed initiative. He requested that I be taken off of wire pulling leader because he said some guys that show initiative can get screwed over by being put in leadership positions and then they top out and don't have enough experience, so keep that in mind also.
This is a real worry. There was definitely a few jobs where the foreman really liked me and put me in a pseudo-supervisory role as his right hand man instead of doing actual work with a JW which is what I needed to be doing at that time. It’s important to just speak up about it.. since the issue is stemming from being well liked your concerns will usually be well heeded. I had jobs where like a bum PA gets put on with a JW to do a cool thing like hooking up the transformer while I get basically doing a JW’s job on a pipe run because the foreman trusts me. I had to explain that I would gladly do the pipe run but I’ve also done zero work on transformers and I need/want to learn that work. You can’t be treating me like a JW when I still have so much to learn
Thanks for this list Stephen! I'll be sure to take note of all these tips if I get the apprenticeship. Just had my interview yesterday and it went so well the training director gave me his card! I won't know if I got in until the end of July but man I feel so good about it. Thank you so much for all your videos, you've been a godsend to us aspiring union sparkies!
That’s incredible! Congratulations!! I love hearing these kinds of stories. So happy that your interview went well and I can’t wait to hear your score/ rank! Thanks for taking the time to watch my content, and you’re very welcome! ⚡️
Thanks from Melbourne Australia! I just completed my pre-apprenticeship and now applying with utilities companies for a linesman apprenticeship as a mature age applicant. My professional background is HR and everything you listed is on point.
I was officially accepted into the apprenticeship for Local 570, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your detailed and helpful videos that I watched during my entire process of applying for the apprenticeship!
Just got the letter to join the ibew I’m excited and nervous to start been working for this for awhile !! Like your videos you post.. nervous joint this industry
Most of these are great advice, but I’m hesitant of the “pick up a broom when it’s slow” tip. Always gotta be careful you’re not stepping on the toes of the laborers who are being paid to sweep, and often management will get peeved when that you’re spending time tidying and housekeeping instead of doing productive electrical work. That one is but of a catch-22 tho because obviously a neat and organized workspace is conducive to productive work.. yet the contractor never wants to pay for the work to make that happen lol. Atleast where I’m at. Great video brother
Thanks! Yeah, it’s definitely situational. Here on our job site, we don’t have material handlers, so we’re expected to clean up after ourselves. I totally get not on jobs where there are laborers. Really my point is just try to stay busy.
Attitude before most then reliability as time goes on and they learn more. There are two kinds of apprentices/electrician’s, the “40 hours” and the one’s willing to learn and seek self growth. Out of all my apprentices I’ve only had one that was extremely good, but when it came for me to be bouncing from one job to another and I wanted him to be my lead man, he then started to call out to be at home playing video games etc so I had to find a more reliable person. Gens* not everyone is willing to teach you a thing or two, so when you do find someone going above and beyond, be at 1000%.
Could you do a video like this, but about CWs? I’m about to start as a CW while I wait for my aptitude test and I’d really like to create a good first impression and hopefully get some JWs to sign a letter of recommendation! Still going to take the advice from this video as well though.
Hey Stephen, great vids I appreciate all of them as I am planning on pursuing a career as an electrician. I plan on trying to become an apprentice at IBEW Local 659 in Central point, Oregon in about a year. Assuming I rank well, how long would you expect me to have to wait before starting work? Also, is lack of work a worry I should have? I worry that maybe becoming an electrician won’t always provide me with a stable paycheck. Thanks!
In today's time it is so easy to be successful in a trade. You will be surprised how many people are lazy or just don't care. If you show pride in your work, work hard and are cool to work with, you will have no trouble finding a job in the trades.
I just graduated high school and I'm going to trade school. My end goal is to work for my IBEW local 164 (NJ). Do I need to finish trade school first or can I apply right away for the union job (I have no experience). Right now my plan is to work for a licensed electrician as an apprentice while going to trade school, but I'm curious if I could just apply for my local IBEW.
I live in Pittsburgh and the biggest struggle as an Apprentice is learning the habits of the journeyman, they're all different. Some are organized and clean, at the cost of speed. Others are fast paced Some of them don't communicate a plan to you, show you the prints, or give you enough freedom to work on a task or couple of tasks by yourself. Apprentice are bound to make a mistake here or there, in my opinion a good journeyman let's the apprentice fix their own mistake. And let's not get into the NEC vs Hack electricians lol Tip: Apprentices, be aware of what personality your boss has and ask every question you can think of as early as possible. Also workplace hazards are a great thing to look for, if you have a minute of free time, tie up hanging wires and clear scrap junk away from walking areas.
I’d be surprised if anyone joined the trade to sweep. My point is that if there’s something that needs to be done, taking initiative and doing things without being asked is a huge way to stand out as an apprentice. Sometimes, if there’s a mess, that can mean sweeping.
Hey! My personal favorite are Danner’s. Specifically the Danner Quarry USA 8” with one of the safety toe versions. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to work boots, but these have been my favorite. They’re a bit pricey but have lasted me a long time and served me very well ⚡️
Apprentices should not be going to their Foreman for answers and you as a Foreman should not be dealing directly with apprentices. Thanks, Russ ,28 years in the Trade.
I think the dynamic of every job is different. I’m more than happy to answer any questions that come my way, regardless of who they’re from. That being said, an apprentice should go to their journeyman first in most cases. I appreciate you taking the time to watch! And congrats on so many years in the trade!
Great video! Here are some more tips I've learned, from a humble 2nd year apprentice:
Yes, try to solve problems yourself--but if you can't solve it after 20 minutes, ask for help. I got yelled at for trying to fix something by myself for too long.
Keep a trash box with you to clean up wire clippings, etc.
Wear gloves, and use clean hands to move ceiling tiles.
Hustle whenever you walk
Climb ladders quickly, one foot per rung while climbing.
Arrive at least 20 minutes early every day.
Talk little and don't reveal too much about yourself. People can use it as ammunition.
Certainly don't talk bad about others.
No political talk.
Do NOT go in other people's tool bags.
Do NOT steal batteries off other people's carts.
Be the one to open the gang box and the one to lock it at the end of the day.
Take responsiblity for mistakes. Don't blame others.
Keep electrical tape, a knife, and a pencil on you always.
Don't return from break before your journeyman.
Go to the gym if you are not fit.
Keep spare clothes in your car.
Electrolytes in the summer.
Just recently got accepted into the IBEW apprenticeship program and I orientate next week, and i’m starting straight out of high school. Wanted to say thank you for the tips you gave on the aptitude test and interview video as they helped me out a lot.
I just got passed over due to class size limits. Are you one of the ones who beat me out?
IBEW Local 11 checking in, finished boot camp last Friday , and just got dispatched today. Want to say thank you for all the content you have put out. Your videos definitely helped me get into the apprenticeship and do well on my interview. To anyone else watching these videos, have patience and trust the process. Waited a year and that’s cuz work was slow.
What was your interview score
What was your status
Nice man! Applied to get in but got no response
Monday is my first day on job as an apprentice!! 👍😁 Finally I managed to be one thanks to your helpful videos… definitely I am keeping in mind those advices… wish me luck buddy.
Just got my first job as an apprentice today.Thanks for the tips
Right on! Congratulations!! You’re very welcome ⚡️🤘🏼⚡️
The anticipation suggestion is a big one with me. It's what separates a good apprentice from an exceptional one. They're the ones going to be progressing most readily and most likely to support their brothers in the field when it's crunch time.
100%! It’s a night and day difference compared to needing something and just seeing your apprentice on their phone or distracted by something else ⚡️
@MadElectrician I'd venture to say it's the difference between having something of an anchor attached to you as opposed to a secondary propulsion source. It's difficult having someone under your charge that doesn't identify a forward looking perspective on tasks they're routinely encountering. I understand some apprehension in undertaking new tasks etc. but it's another thing when the job has familiar and predictable facets and they're just waiting around for explicit directives.. which they should have known were next in progression. Anyhow great vid as usual. Definitely dig the channel and your work. Thanks for giving back brother.
As an apprentice who's been with a contractor for about a month now, this one seems impossible to do. Whenever I try to anticipate what comes next I get told I'm doing something wrong. Like taking a ladder downstairs because we were finished running a wire upstairs and downstairs was where we were going next. Or positioning my ladder to pull more slack in the wire when I could see we needed more, but was told not yet. Or being asked whats taking me so long when I'm rolling up the extra wire so it's not a big tangled mess on the floor of the mech room.
I know I'll get better at anticipating what people need, but it gets frustrating when everytime you try to help you get scolded
@@sorryforlatmig7962 Sometimes you're not the problem, sometimes you're just surrounded by dicks. Sounds like your contractor's got some issues.
Starting my apprenticeship tomorrow, your videos have been very helpful and insightful, thanks for the content!
That’s so great to hear! Congratulations on starting your apprenticeship! You’re very welcome my friend! ⚡️
Goodluck man!
Good video. I'm a non union apprentice in Portland Oregon. The number one thing that has helped me is anticipate what the J man needs next and have it ready. It helps the job flow better and it helps you to learn how to build things eventually when your alone
Thank you for the few tips. I'll do my best when I become an Apprentice. 😊⚡
You’re very welcome! Wishing you the best of luck on getting into an apprenticeship! ⚡️
Don’t let anyone give you a hard time by complaining about picking up a broom and sweeping. Talking about “oh I’m above that and that’s for the lesser trades. Electricians are gods, we don’t sweep.” Those type of people are selfish and immature.
I knew as I was making the video that it would get a lot of reactions, so I definitely won’t. Maybe I should have added a 7th thing that I look for in apprentices (humility) 😂
My BIGGEST TIP to my fellow apprentices in their first year to be ✨HUMBLE™️✨. Listen to your Journeyman explain the task instead of stopping them and saying "Yeah, I know how to do that. I've done that before". It's more impressive to have an apprentice who listened to the task and NAILED IT (or perhaps tried his best), compared to one who said they knew how to do it.... Only to get it wrong. You will learn NEW tips from every different Journeyman you meet , so just because you think you know how to do it, it's worth listening and asking questions. That being said.... I'm not suggesting you get the journeyman to over explain a task you know 1000% how to do 😂 but doing this tip has taught me many ways to do one task and find the most efficient way, all while giving my Journeyman a chance to practice his teaching skills, and generally develop a stronger bond with them.
Good video! If JW's see these skills they are also more inclined to show/teach you more things! I'm an IBEW apprentice and I'm currently learning how to bend rigid conduit with my JW because he said I showed initiative. He requested that I be taken off of wire pulling leader because he said some guys that show initiative can get screwed over by being put in leadership positions and then they top out and don't have enough experience, so keep that in mind also.
This is a real worry. There was definitely a few jobs where the foreman really liked me and put me in a pseudo-supervisory role as his right hand man instead of doing actual work with a JW which is what I needed to be doing at that time. It’s important to just speak up about it.. since the issue is stemming from being well liked your concerns will usually be well heeded.
I had jobs where like a bum PA gets put on with a JW to do a cool thing like hooking up the transformer while I get basically doing a JW’s job on a pipe run because the foreman trusts me. I had to explain that I would gladly do the pipe run but I’ve also done zero work on transformers and I need/want to learn that work. You can’t be treating me like a JW when I still have so much to learn
This guy is my best Apprentice I’ve ever had. Love you brother. Keep up the good work
Thanks for this list Stephen! I'll be sure to take note of all these tips if I get the apprenticeship.
Just had my interview yesterday and it went so well the training director gave me his card! I won't know if I got in until the end of July but man I feel so good about it. Thank you so much for all your videos, you've been a godsend to us aspiring union sparkies!
That’s incredible! Congratulations!! I love hearing these kinds of stories. So happy that your interview went well and I can’t wait to hear your score/ rank! Thanks for taking the time to watch my content, and you’re very welcome! ⚡️
@@MadElectrician Thanks! I'm stoked!
I'll make a note of it to comment back here when I find out!
@@Captain_Guts7 Did you end up getting in bro?
Thanks from Melbourne Australia! I just completed my pre-apprenticeship and now applying with utilities companies for a linesman apprenticeship as a mature age applicant. My professional background is HR and everything you listed is on point.
Great video!
Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to watch! ⚡️
I was officially accepted into the apprenticeship for Local 570, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your detailed and helpful videos that I watched during my entire process of applying for the apprenticeship!
Just got the letter to join the ibew I’m excited and nervous to start been working for this for awhile !! Like your videos you post.. nervous joint this industry
Should’ve included, have common sense 😂
That’s definitely a good one. 😂
If I included everything I could think of though my video would end 😂
Could have titled this "6 things an apprentice needs to see demonstrated by their JW."
That would definitely be a fair title ⚡️
Most of these are great advice, but I’m hesitant of the “pick up a broom when it’s slow” tip. Always gotta be careful you’re not stepping on the toes of the laborers who are being paid to sweep, and often management will get peeved when that you’re spending time tidying and housekeeping instead of doing productive electrical work. That one is but of a catch-22 tho because obviously a neat and organized workspace is conducive to productive work.. yet the contractor never wants to pay for the work to make that happen lol. Atleast where I’m at.
Great video brother
Thanks! Yeah, it’s definitely situational. Here on our job site, we don’t have material handlers, so we’re expected to clean up after ourselves. I totally get not on jobs where there are laborers. Really my point is just try to stay busy.
Attitude before most then reliability as time goes on and they learn more. There are two kinds of apprentices/electrician’s, the “40 hours” and the one’s willing to learn and seek self growth.
Out of all my apprentices I’ve only had one that was extremely good, but when it came for me to be bouncing from one job to another and I wanted him to be my lead man, he then started to call out to be at home playing video games etc so I had to find a more reliable person.
Gens* not everyone is willing to teach you a thing or two, so when you do find someone going above and beyond, be at 1000%.
What’s a broom? Some sort of carpenter tool?
Could you do a video like this, but about CWs? I’m about to start as a CW while I wait for my aptitude test and I’d really like to create a good first impression and hopefully get some JWs to sign a letter of recommendation! Still going to take the advice from this video as well though.
What is a broom?
A what?
Hey Stephen, great vids I appreciate all of them as I am planning on pursuing a career as an electrician. I plan on trying to become an apprentice at IBEW Local 659 in Central point, Oregon in about a year. Assuming I rank well, how long would you expect me to have to wait before starting work? Also, is lack of work a worry I should have? I worry that maybe becoming an electrician won’t always provide me with a stable paycheck. Thanks!
thank you
Is taking all your vacation time a bad thing?
Absolutely not! If you got vacation time you should use it!
Turned the video off at "pick up a broom"
I’m equally proud and ashamed.
In today's time it is so easy to be successful in a trade. You will be surprised how many people are lazy or just don't care.
If you show pride in your work, work hard and are cool to work with, you will have no trouble finding a job in the trades.
One more thing that's invaluable is being teachable. I've had people who had a lot of potential but we're teachable. They don't last long.
I just graduated high school and I'm going to trade school. My end goal is to work for my IBEW local 164 (NJ). Do I need to finish trade school first or can I apply right away for the union job (I have no experience). Right now my plan is to work for a licensed electrician as an apprentice while going to trade school, but I'm curious if I could just apply for my local IBEW.
So how’s that working out? I’m looking to do the same at some point. Dunno where to start though
Broom!!! He said broom!!! Treason!!!
I live in Pittsburgh and the biggest struggle as an Apprentice is learning the habits of the journeyman, they're all different.
Some are organized and clean, at the cost of speed.
Others are fast paced
Some of them don't communicate a plan to you, show you the prints, or give you enough freedom to work on a task or couple of tasks by yourself.
Apprentice are bound to make a mistake here or there, in my opinion a good journeyman let's the apprentice fix their own mistake.
And let's not get into the NEC vs Hack electricians lol
Tip: Apprentices, be aware of what personality your boss has and ask every question you can think of as early as possible. Also workplace hazards are a great thing to look for, if you have a minute of free time, tie up hanging wires and clear scrap junk away from walking areas.
Look pal, I didnt done join this trade so i could sweep you hear?
I’d be surprised if anyone joined the trade to sweep. My point is that if there’s something that needs to be done, taking initiative and doing things without being asked is a huge way to stand out as an apprentice. Sometimes, if there’s a mess, that can mean sweeping.
What does a apprentice look for in a master electrician... not having a youtube channel.
Interesting quality to avoid 🤔
Can I be reliable as a pre apprentice ?
Did he say broom??!!
I stopped listening when you said pick up a broom.
That’s fair.
Yall complaining bout the broom. 2:33 is where i disliked the video
You don’t think a positive attitude is important?
@@MadElectrician rn doin solar mid july no its not possible. Ill retract my dislike when im finished
Btw love the videos
Hello sir, i was wondering your recommendation on work boots? This would be a huge blessing if you could reply to this!! @mad electrician
Hey! My personal favorite are Danner’s. Specifically the Danner Quarry USA 8” with one of the safety toe versions. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to work boots, but these have been my favorite. They’re a bit pricey but have lasted me a long time and served me very well ⚡️
if you vote liberal you're immediately out
Great boss! 🤣🤣
I’m a bisexual libertarian… I fit in just fine. I don’t talk about personal shit and I want freedom for all.
Awesome Video
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to watch! ⚡️
Apprentices should not be going to their Foreman for answers and you as a Foreman should not be dealing directly with apprentices. Thanks, Russ ,28 years in the Trade.
Russ you sound like a joy to work with…😂
I think the dynamic of every job is different. I’m more than happy to answer any questions that come my way, regardless of who they’re from. That being said, an apprentice should go to their journeyman first in most cases. I appreciate you taking the time to watch! And congrats on so many years in the trade!
Except lots of jobs only have a foremen and apprentices. No journeyman