IBEW Boot Camp - How to Become an Electrician Part 4 

Thanks Chrystal! It’s my pleasure to get these videos out and I’m glad to hear that you’re finding them useful! I really wanted to find a channel like this when I was getting into the trade so I’m glad that I can be this for people who getting into the trade now.

100%!

It’s my pleasure, Karlos! Happy to hear that these videos are helping people ⚡️

How's that workin for ya?

Wow! That's so great to hear! I'm happy to hear that these videos have really made a difference for you. It's the reason why I make them so thank you for sharing that. Congratulations of getting into the program my friend! For me it was once of the best decisions I ever made and I wouldn't be where I am today if I never joined. Cheers!⚡️

You're very welcome, Christian! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and I definitely plan on doing so! ⚡️

Hey J! I’m very happy to hear that you’re finding them helpful! You’re very welcome! ⚡️ Are you looking into applying for an apprenticeship soon?

@@MadElectrician Yes, I’m preparing for the aptitude test and your channel has been really helpful! Thanks again. You’re an awesome presenter btw

Just an update on this, its was actually 10 weeks, and i passed all my tests, i finished the last on thursday and got an email friday with an apprenticeship offer. Now its just a waiting game for an appointment to get officially indentured and go to orientation. The 5 years begins and I couldnt be happier. Also as a side note to anyone reading this. If they have a CW/CE program, i recommend it, it is a good way to get your foot in the door to the local, gain OJT experience and in my locals' pre apprenticeship requirements, you needed 80 hrs and to be sworn in to the local. In my local your cw hours count towards your 1st year apprenticeship hours and your first pay bump. I got over 250 hrs of working with a journeyman and asking questions about the trade, conduit and electrical work/theory. Goodluck to all yall! 💪🏼

How is it going for you so far? I’m waiting for the applications for Inside Wireman to open at my local.

@@europason2293 its going great! I am in my 2nd class week of 2nd year right now and I have learned so much this last year. The scope of work and education you get within the IBEW and JATC is fantastic and I love the apprenticeship so far. Good luck! You are gonna do great!

@@LKBHD hell yeah man. thanks for the response

Any helpful tips on the interview?

@@BukAllen0o0 i made 10 portfolios to give to all 10 of the board members that interviewed me, 4 letters of recommendation from people in the trade or similar trades, cover letter, and resume, they asked weird questions and I answered them thoroughly, then at the end they asked if I had any questions, I asked what inspired them to be in this industry , It seemed like it worked good for me, maybe I just timed everything out right but I started working a week after my interview, I’m now on my third week

How did it go!? did you start bootcamp a month from interview?

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the content! ⚡️

Hey man! Thanks for reaching out! It’s my absolute pleasure. I’ve been having a good time making these and I’m happy to share what I know. It’s an awesome career and I’m glad to hear that you’re pursuing this. Yeah, as of right now I’m just about to finish 6th term of my apprenticeship. I’ll be turned out in probably a year and a half or so. Your apprenticeship will fly by. It’s pretty crazy. Do you mind me asking what part of the test you had trouble with? Do you think that the information I provided in the aptitude test was enough for you to be well informed for the test? I appreciate your feedback!

@@MadElectrician I really struggled with the math portion. At the time of taking the aptitude test, I was out of a classroom for over 10 years and hadn't practiced anything but simple math in that time. I started studying really hard when I get a test date. Most of the information that I could find on the test wasn't very insightful, but yes, your videos seemed to illuminate more of what to expect than everyone else's. The minimum score required for an interview was 5/9 and I scored a 4/9...boo! LOL. I will be better prepared next time. My only concern moving forward with the apprenticeship, if I am selected, is the boot camp. As I currently work full time it is going to be difficult to be able to request off or have time off from work.

Man, so close! Sorry to hear that. You’ll definitely get it next time though. Right on, that’s good to hear. If I were you I would actually just make sure to be done with your current job before you start your bootcamp because as long as you don’t make any of the common sense mistakes I mentioned in the video then you’ll start your apprenticeship right after you finish boot camp and you’ll be dispatched to a job. Missing out on that pay for two weeks is rough but it’s honestly a small sacrifice compared to what an incredible career you’ll be starting and the pay you’ll eventually be receiving. I remember that being rough for me too. I meant to actually mention that in my video. If I were you I’d just start setting aside some money now so that when the times comes it won’t be too difficult to miss out on those two weeks of work. Also, make sure to confirm that your local union does the two week boot camp model. Most of them do but I’m finding out that not every local does.

Hey Victor! Right on! Congratulations! Happy to hear that you are enjoying the videos/ channel ⚡️

How long til u got a call back? I’m in that same step! Just wondering how long to expect

@@jasonizbeast382 it takes time bro I haven’t heard anything from them but I see my spot on the PEO list moving so I know I’m not just waiting for nothing 🤣 what local did you apply for?

@@martinezv323 I applied to local 11! Yeah they sent me an email saying that I’m eligible and on the list so I’m hoping I get called fast 😂💪🏽 good luck brother ! Hope you get called quick

@@jasonizbeast382 I applied to local 11 too , you went to the ETI on Garfield ? Good luck to you too bro . Just be patient.

Thanks man!

Are you currently going through the application process right now?

Hey Benjamin! That’s a great question. At local 48 they do actually separate the inside electricians from the low voltage electricians for their boot camps. Our training center gives us free tools, and they got different tools than us too. I do believe they actually learned how to bend pipe in boot camp, but you’re right, out in the field low voltage techs don’t typically bend their own pipe. I’m not exactly sure how much of the same stuff they learn as us in the inside program, but I believe that they still learn a decent amount of the same theory. Hope that helps!

What kind of question did they ask you for your interview .

Everything

When is the drug test before boot camp or after the aptitude test

@@HesRomeo anyone know?

@@tsean8 sfter

Nice 😂 Right on man! Maybe some vlog style videos documenting your journey through the apprenticeship would be cool. We need more people to be aware of this so you making videos too would be great!

Hey Light Shadow! They unfortunately don’t pay you during boot camp. You’ll want to make sure that you’re financially ready for that (if your local even does boot camp). It was only two weeks here at 48 and I knew to expect that so I was prepared.

Hey bro! I just responded to a similar comment that you left on another one of my videos. I appreciate you watching so many and hope you’re enjoying them! I love that idea about buying a tool a week. It’s a very attainable goal and a great way to start. Quality is really important, so I’m really glad to hear that you’re buying milwaukee and Klein! If you get accepted into the apprenticeship through the IBEW, there is a chance that you might get a free set of tools supplied by the training center. Not every local does that, but mine did. If that happens then you’ll basically just have a back up set for at home which is a good idea anyways. I think that if you started with IBEW and quit before finishing your apprenticeship, you might have to pay something to the training center, but I’m not positive about that. If you finished your apprenticeship and quit later in your career then you would definitely keep your tools. Either way they are yours to keep. They’re not loaner tools. My personal opinions on weed doesn’t matter so much, but I understand what you’re saying. It’s legal here too (in Oregon) and it’s something that is still not allowed as a union member. I’m not positive, but they might be something that’s just standard for the trades even if you aren’t union. Maybe someone will read this comment and prove me wrong because I’m not positive about that. I think that if it became federally legal that could potentially change.

Hey brother so depending on what local you are going in with in CA they might give tools they might not. It's all dependent on the state funding my bootcamp we didn't get tools but the bootcamp before and after us did. So its all just luck of the draw. No need to give out that information to the panel tho. Whatever the union gives you take it man. Amd to answer your question about. I tried taking a quick look in the bylaws but it's too large to go through it thoroughly but it says that if you leave the apprenticeship during or within 5 years of you become vested with the union to work somewhere else doing electrical work you will have to pay back the money for the schooling. Unless you leave for another union then you're good. And brother it's not that hard to give up the weed. What's more important weed or building a future giving yourself financial independence and securing a wonderful retirement where you'll be making 100k a year being retired. I choose building the future

If they're giving you tools you should accept them, and keep yours at home because you'll probably lose some or they get damaged. I wouldn't lie about it if asked however, they'll appreciate honesty. As far as the drug testing policy, here in Michigan it is recreational and its still prohibited for many jobs not just the ibew. They told us that they have to have it that way because many contractors require a drug test before working. If you think about it though, you will be working with very dangerous tool and equipment, you want yourself and everyone around you to be in the right sober mind because your lives are at steak They don't accept medical cards either. Maybe in the future it will change but it will be a few years before that happens.

Hey Will! Most Locals do random drug tests every once and a while so I’d definitely expect to be tested randomly every now and again. At least that’s how it works right now with the current laws.

Hey Bartek! Yes, the people who got kicked out in my class had multiple warnings before they eventually got the boot. They genuinely want people to succeed and make it, but if they don’t seem to be putting in the effort, especially after being warned multiple times, that’s when they decide to give someone else an opportunity to get in who seems to want it more.

Thanks for the quick reply and the info! I am from Canada and in the application process for the IBEW here. Currently at the interview stage, fingers crossed! But looking to go all the way and get as much info as possible.

Hey Kevin! I don’t think most locals pay you while you are going to the boot camp classes. It’s definitely something that’s good to be aware of so that you can plan to not be working for a couple of weeks prior to starting your apprenticeship. When you start your actual apprenticeship you’ll end up probably either having day or night classes. If you have night school then you won’t really need to worry about any sort of pay cut. Day school though would mean that you’d miss out on a days worth of pay when you are at school that day. Kind of like missing work when going to college. Same kind of idea. I cover that and a lot of other details concerning how the pay works in my “How Much Do Electricians Make” video. Hope that helps!

I’m not sure unfortunately. I know here they used to in Oregon and they actually don’t anymore. You can definitely call and find out though ⚡️

if it's the way our ranking works, you placed near the top, expect to hear your start date soon. they gave me about 2 months notice when i got my start date. this is all to say that different locals may do things differently!

Hey man, great question! It can be kind of situational depending on when you can or can’t, but for the most part I’d say yes. Even plenty of apprentices listen to music/ podcasts throughout their day. Some general contractors might have a job site rule where they don’t want you to, but it’s not often that you see that. So nope, that’s not too unrealistic at all. 👍🏼

@@MadElectrician thanks for the reply! And thank you for your videos man. They've been very helpful.

No problem! I’m glad to hear that! Hit me up with any more questions you have as you think of them 👍🏼

@@MadElectrician will do. Thanks again 👍.

I don’t unfortunately 😕 I’m pretty good about responding to comments pretty quickly though if you have any questions or anything on here.

At local IBEW 48 you don’t get paid during boot camp.

Good question! No, definitely not necessary. Being bilingual is something that makes you more valuable to your company but it’s not necessary.

Good question! It took about 3 months for me to apply, take my aptitude test, and then interview. Then after I got my rank on the list I started the apprenticeship 3 months after that. All in all it was about a 6 month process for me.

The aptitude test is generally a month after you apply and the interview is usually a month after that.

Mad Electrician Ok! Good to know, I have my aptitude test this Friday and just want to thank you for all the videos that you’ve made it has been so helpful for me to prepare for the steps to come!

Right on man! Good luck! I’m really glad to hear that. That’s why I’m making these 🥳 Reach out if you have any more questions on anything else 👍🏼

Hey man, good question. That’s the only one we had during the application process before becoming an apprentice. Once you start the apprenticeship and even afterwards when you are a journeyman there are actually random drug tests every so often that you’ll need to take. At least that’s the way that it is here in Local 48. I’m pretty sure that’s a standard for every local though.

Nat B 😂 good luck brother!!!

Varies by local.

Not a very desirable rank bro the closer to number 1 the better Also depends on how many classes your local takes in a year and the size of classes

@@jonathanpalos2560 says they take 18 every class. But I thought it was a good rank and also considering this guy got in the 60’s and got in pretty fast. He’s in the same local ibew 48 as I am waiting to get in to

@@allgoprovids6846 in my local I got ranked 31 and I’m probably gunna have to wait 2 years to get in unfortunately so I’ll be interviewing again after my 6 months have passed. Maybe your local takes more classes every year? It’s all depending on if people drop out also then you’ll get bumped into a better rank

@@jonathanpalos2560 yeah I believe they take classes based on work. I’ve heard it could be 18 every month. And this guy getting 60th and getting in after a few months gives me a good amount of hope. But damn up here rank 30 is a great rank to get

Depends what kind of a mood I'm in ☕️

I’m a wireman. Technically the title for it here is “inside wireman.” I’ve mentioned it in other videos, but just not every one. Typically when people hear “electrician” they usually think of a wireman (at least that’s how it is here), so I just don’t feel the need to always mention it. Good question though 👍🏼

Nope

Not at our local, so it’s definitely something to be financially prepared for. Not every local has boot camp though, so it’s best to find out from your local training center if this is even something that you will need to prepare for.

@@MadElectrician you are the man, thank you for the reply.

Hey Carlos! Unfortunately not. It’s definitely something where you’ll want to make sure that you’re financially prepared for that. It’s one of those small sacrifices that will be well worth it though once you start the program.

@@MadElectrician perfect thank you so much. I’m currently in Los Angeles working as an apprentice rod buster, but definitely switching over to electrician, under the ETI.

@@MadElectrician and if I’m not mistaken they have the same boot camp I believe

Right on man! I think that’s a great choice! I’ve never once regretted joining the IBEW ⚡️

@@MadElectrician thank you for the content brother!!! I’m definitely excited and look forward to it!!

This is actually something that only some locals do. Sometimes they have a different name for it too (basic skills class).

@@MadElectrician fair enough. Didn’t have it in 569. Interesting idea.

It’s sometimes called pre-apprenticeship

Really?? That’s crazy man! Does that include first term of school or something?

Mad Electrician yes! 2nd year is only 9 weeks of school. I’m actually not in the local yet! But I am well informed of the whole 5 year apprenticeship process. I’m really hoping I can join early next year!

Wow, crazy! Do you have any idea how apprentices can afford that? Nice man! Is that when they will be accepting applications or have you already applied?

Mad Electrician you start getting paid after the first 11 weeks of the first year. Yeah I know it sucks to be without pay for so long, but I bet it’s worth it in the long run. I have a few cousins that been in the local for several years and all they do is talk great about it. And yes unfortunately cause of COVID-19 there’s no registration right now. I got in contact with the hall and they said they will open up registration back up early next year.

Oh, gotcha. I’m sure it is well worth it. That’s something that I always try to make sure that people understand. You may not make a ton in the beginning but in the end you’ll have a fantastic career with great benefits and pay. That’s the same deal here with COVID stuff. Good to hear man! Well I’m wishing you the best of luck in your electrical endeavors! Keep in touch, I’d love to hear how the process is going once things start up again 👍🏼

I get tools but only $250 compared to the $600

Hey, great question! Typically you won't know when a drug test will happen because they usually do them at random. You can expect a drug test when you first get into the program and then (based off of my experience) you can expect a random drug test around once a year. If they suspect for any reason that a drug test is necessary then they might also have you take one for that reason too. This answer of course is based off of my experience with how things are here at Local 48. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching! ⚡️

@@MadElectrician Thank you, sir! Do you they send you somewhere for the test?

It sounds like by that comment they'll take literally anybody nowdays, because they're in high demand yes? But how can that be true when just any ole person doesn't have the brains to get through it all?

In our case the drug test was actually the second to last day of boot camp (day 13). Not sure if this is how every local operates though.

Turned out last month ⚡️ Thanks for watching!

The IBEW only wants the best man. Seriously it's not that bad to give up weed.

As of right now. I believe so. There is a growing move to possibly allow it once there are better tests.

Hey Britt! No, you unfortunately don’t get paid for bootcamp. At least that’s how they do it at my local, but I’m assuming that it’s the same way for other locals. I have heard that some locals don’t even have boot camps though. Definitely something to look into and confirm with your local. If you do have it, then it’s just something to be aware of and prepare so that it’s not too big of a financial strain. I was able to use unused vacation time from my previous job to help me and my wife get through that two weeks of boot camp.

@@MadElectrician Thanks this is extremely helpful. Were there any women in your boot camp? Do you work with women now?

Anytime! There weren’t any in my boot camp but I do have a couple of women in my class at school now and I’ve also worked alongside many fantastic women since I’ve been doing this. It’s becoming much more common to have women in the trade which is great. Our local actually really pushes to bring more women into the trade.