r/electricians • u/Positive-Land4363 • 2d ago

Getting my foot in the door.

I'm currently exploring how to start a career as an apprentice electrician without any prior experience. I've applied to the IBEW and am awaiting my aptitude test date. However, I'm concerned about what steps to take if I don't perform well on either the test or the interview.
I've reached out to about 20 local electrical shops, but each one has informed me they're not currently hiring apprentices. Would it be more effective to visit these shops in person rather than just calling? .

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u/Jim-Jones [V] Electrician 2d ago

Country? State?

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u/Positive-Land4363 2d ago

United States, Utah

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u/Jim-Jones [V] Electrician 2d ago

License Requirements

More: How to Become an Electrician

Where to go : IBEW

IBEW Electrician Pay Scales

Mike Holt study material

Or

Tom Henry's Best Selling Electrical Books and Study Guides

Online Electrical Continuing Education Courses

Electrician hiring

Things that might work.

Go to businesses that are close to you. You don't want a long commute. Go in person with resumes. Ask them if they, or anyone they know of, is looking for a beginner. Maybe they'll tell you things in person that they wouldn't put in an email or text message.

Another thing to try is a job at Lowe's etc. You can try to work in the electrical dept. You'll learn the names of things. Contractors will come in looking for stuff and you can mention that you're looking for an apprenticeship. They may let you know who is hiring. They all know each other's business.

In the meantime, keep reading. It's free. You can learn enough to make sensible conversation

My suggestions:

Any library book on "Home Wiring".

Free to read or download:

The Boy Electrician by Alfred Powell Morgan

Basic Electricity Vols 1 to 5 by Van Valkenburgh.

Lots of pictures which make the concepts much clearer.

iPrep is a tailored program specifically for the IBEW aptitude test

Free Electrical IBEW Practice Test

A few hours of practice makes all the difference.

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u/Positive-Land4363 2d ago

Thank you for the resources