How Does One Go About Becoming an Electricians Apprentice?

[MatticusMania]

$100k a year doesn't interest me so much as having a job that I don't wake up and dread going to every morning.

When you figure that one out lemme know. When I started working where I am now I figured it would be to support myself while I figured out how to make a living doing something I want to do. Then the bills piled up, and I got raises to cover that. Then I got promoted and at this point I think I might be making too much money to find another line of work. I think I'll just resign myself to this dayjob and keep getting my jollies in wherever I can...

 

[Grizzly700]

My dad is a journeyman and while he is working he loves it an never gets paid lessthan about $27 an hour per job, but the key is WHILE HE IS WORKING. Some places are hurting for electricians, other places are swamped and most are unemployed.

 

[jumbo_steelie]

I don't know how the system works in your area, but where I live licensed water plant operators such as myself make a good deal of money (middle class kind of money), plus I know my days work leaves me satisfied.

If it's electrical work that interests you though, I've heard that instrumentation is really on the rise....considering everything is automated/monitored these days. It takes electrical knowledge, but implements ,mild programming and logic controllers and all that fun stuff. Somethin to think about...

 

[sandmangeck]

Def stay away from residential. I did it twice. Horrible. Housing market has crashed.

 

[dmonroe]

The local union, the IBEW, has a great apprenticeship program.

 

[SeaBassSteve]

Personal suggestion: try a supplier.
I used to work at one of the lumber merchants at home whilst studying for my Degree in Software + Electronic Engineering.
The learning quickly and having some common sense, had a couple of the regulars ask me if I fancied it as a chippy....

 

[MJ5150]

Any updates?

-Mike

 

[TheVoiceless]

Have you considered working for a private contractor? You could get paid training and eventually work for yourself. At your age you will be lumped in with younger guys doing grunt work and not really learning the $ making skills. Unions are good and bad. And if you are 420 friendly, chances are you can work for a private contractor and continue your perfectly fine extra curricular activity. Unions and union job sites come with A LOT of politics. I'm not saying they are bad or good, just look at all of your options.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Any updates?

-Mike

I'm now essentially a luthier's apprentice/assistant at Darrin Huff Guitars.

Here is a shot of one of his recently completed basses. Completed before I was on board.

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I was really just kind of taking a breather from being beat down by the food service industry these past ten years. I casually looked but didn't really see any prospects between working for a private contracor or getting another *****, underpaid overworked kitchen job working for amateurs.

I took some time to teach myself to solder,...I looked into reading schematics and did an artsy representation on how I'd decorate a stompbox enclosure which generated some positive feedback. Darrin caught wind of this and approached me to help with expanding his company; an offer that I cautiously jumped at. But have since been finding will be win/win/win for everyone. I've got a lot to learn but so far it's been a rewarding experience.

In parallel to this; I'll also be starting my own effects company. It will be small to start out and eventually expanding into tube amps and synths. I feel like it will be something worthwhile. As I said before; I'm not concerned with becoming rich,...I just want to do something that doesn't beat me down.