How Hard Is It To Get Into The Electrical Union

There are entry level positions and assistant positions available that don t require a license but those positions have very limited pay and employment opportunities.

How hard is it to get into the electrical union.

We know that there s strength in numbers and have a proven path to help get results. The ibew is the international brotherhood of electrical workers and it s the main union for electrical works in the united states and canada. The ultimate goal of most electricians is to become a licensed electrician aka a journeyman electrician or a journey electrician. I didn t find it difficult to get into at all.

Joining a non union shop as an electrician s apprentice. Benefits of belonging to a union. This partnership is known as the electrical training alliance. We are on the job at construction sites power plants factories offices shipyards tv studios and rail yards.

Union union apprenticeships can be difficult to get into because of their rigorous hiring standards. Electricians need a license to work. For instance according to the united states bureau of labor statistics bls the median weekly income of a non union worker was 860 in 2018 as compared to 1 051 for a union worker. If you aren t already an electrician you ll need to go through the ibew apprenticeship program through your local union.

Union workers typically have better wages than non union employees in comparable jobs. Electricians work in many places including construction sites power plants factories offices shipyards tv studios and rail yards. Getting a job and beginning training or a formal apprenticeship at a non union shop is more like the conventional job application process most people are used to. Participating in an apprenticeship through the electrical training alliance means becoming a life long card carrying dues paying member of the ibew union and getting all the benefits and collective bargaining rights that come along with that.

The ibew international brotherhood of electrical workers is the overarching parent organization that governs all local electrical unions. If you ve seen a local chapter office in your area you can be sure they answer up to the ibew. Got an interview for the electrician s union immediately and after accepting the job i was still getting phone calls from the plumber s carpenter. Many electricians join a union to get better pay and benefits and the international brotherhood of electrical workers ibew is the oldest and largest of the electrical unions in the world.

Get some formal training through a trade school answer an ad for an apprenticeship or trainee position with a specific contracting company put in an application go to an. The ibew electrical apprenticeship is a joint program between the international brotherhood of electrical workers ibew and national electrical contractors association and is your first step to becoming an electrician apprentice. I was like you 19 years old no connections no experience.