Discussions

I’m currently in the process of looking into a potential career change and I’m thinking that the electrical trade is a definite possibility. I have no experience in this field but I’m looking for a new challenge and I believe becoming an electrician will provide me with this.  
 
My question is, how does someone start out in this industry? I’ve looked at the pre employment program offered at ACC but the wait list appears to be fairly large. Are there companies in Brandon that would take someone on without any knowledge and put them through the apprenticeship program? I’m planning to get out there and knock on doors with my resume and see if I can find something. Although my resume lacks any experience in this industry I’m eager to learn, committed, honest and reliable. I’m approaching mid 30’s and was hoping that I could find an employer instead of waiting several years to begin the pre employment program.  
 
Are there any electricians on ebrandon that could give me a few pointers? Is the pre employment program the route to go prior to looking for an employer?  
 
Thanks in advance.

I'm not in the industry anymore, but I'll give you my two cents until someone more knowledgeable applies.  
 
The pre employment course is good, but it's no guarantee that you will get a job. I think it was 7 months before I got a job in Regina.  
 
On one hand, it would be nice to know you have a job before you have to do the training, on the other hand, you will be competing for jobs with people who already have it or people who have a networking connection.  
 
However, if you have construction experience, that could go a long way. You might as well give it a shot trying to apply, probe your connections to see if anyone knows anyone.  
 
For pre-employment, it looks like your options are Dauphin or Moosomin. If you go in Saskatchewan there are some hoops to transfer things over.

Hard Work &: Persistence  
Just now  
Pre-Employment Courses are good for gaining knowledge, but they aren't a requirement. I would advise to anyone seeking apprenticeship to lower your goals initially and seek positions as a general labourer. Why pay someone to learn what the industry is supposed to teach you? Most companies are desperate to fill these positions and it gets you working immediately.  
From there start proving yourself:  
1. Be on Time, ready to work. Don't be the guy with the Tim Horton's dbl dbl that claims traffic was bad, and don't call in sick every second week.  
2. Do what your told to do exactly as you are told how to do it in a reasonable amount of time. Always keeping Safety Legislation in mind.  
3. Keep every area you are working in spotless, and if you have spare time go clean somewhere else.  
 
Most places won't indenture you as an apprentice until your probation is over, and some will keep dangling that carrot to keep you working at a lower wage. Walk away from these idiots, they aren't interested in making things better for you. As a labourer you will be exposed to every trade, they will have a front row seat to get to know you. Be like an annoying dog with a ball constantly sending out your resume to the companies in the trade you want.  
Because you are working on a site, you'll start to accumulate the safety courses that are required and references for your work abilities. Although the goal is to become a Journeyman, just remember that we all started as labourers or helpers.  
 
Good Luck to you!

I wrote a letter to the IBEW telling them I was committed to this career choice and willing to do whatever I had to do to get started. I also called and got a list of Union electrical companies and did the same. A lot of times they will need bodies fast and it didn't take me long (about 2 weeks) before I got a call from the hall. There is the conundrum with the union route though...they can't hire you unless you're union and you can't join the hall unless your working for someone.  
 
I also made a cover letter and resume and went to every electrical company in the phone book. I told them I was ready to go at any time. I said "You call me at 7am I'll be here at 8am" and gave them my number. I was prepared to do that every couple of weeks, if I hadn't secured a job. As a business owner I can tell you 99% of my positions are filled that way, I'll always call the guys on my call list before posting anything and I'd imagine a lot of trades companies are the same.  
 
That's also how I got my Carpentry/Scaffolding apprenticeship started 20 years ago. One day the company called for my buddy but he was working but I said I could be there in 45 minutes...and that was the beginning of my apprenticeship.

I agree with this.  
 
Lots of places won't even consider someone without pre employment especially in electrical.  
 
There's a reason there's such a long waiting list for pre employment and it's because it definately helps. I know lots of guys who have got on with the employer they did their work placement with during pre employment.  
 
As others have said still hand out your resume. Get on the pre employment waiting list and note that on your resume too. It will let people know you're serious and with any luck you'll get picked up without needing to go to pre employment.  
 
If you don't have them already I'd start saving/spending some money on some handtools and a drill combo kit and a good comfortable pair of composite toe boots.  
 
There's loans and grants available for apprentices but not until you start/complete your first level of technical training normally sometime towards the end of your first 1800 hours of work experience (although you can go earlier then that)  
 
The trades are hard work. Being an apprentice can suck at times but the money is great. The skills you learn are invaluable and youll be set up for a career for life that can open doors to other things later on (management, consulting, instructing ect)  
 
Good luck!

This is one of the trades where most are going to require the pre-apprenticeship just like refrigeration journeyman trade. It is also one of the ones where you need the most education to get in. I know a bunch of union electricians and they get laid off quit frequently between jobs as you get hired based on your position on the list and name hiring is becoming more problematic.  
 
There are many trades and some especially on this side of province are very in demand jobs with very few pickings for employers with similar pay wages. Some of these trades have very low standards for education as well. I mean like elementary math and science skills.  
 
Yes I do know these things as I am a journeyman with several tickets as well as my spouse and cousins. My kids are apprentices right now as well as various other relatives. I also own my construction company.

One reason I went back to the courier business was the stability. I LOVED being and electrician (apprentice never made it to journeyman). I'd have loved to have finished and hope to finish one day...but I just couldn't pay for a family/mortgage/etc on a 2nd level wage with fairly constant lay offs.  
 
I am interested though, what other trades would you suggest for more stable employment? My experience in Carpentry/Scaffolding and Electrical always involved significant lay off periods.

The question is what do you do now vs what trade do you want to get into? Remember you have to work 3-4 or more years to be able to write for you papers. Then being an electrician you have to remember you have to take 2 months off for school which is mandatory if you wanna get your papers. I have ran into more electricians then anything some of them say if they had the option is they would of gone into a more obscure trade like instrumentation or hvac.  
 
You could do pre-em but each province and school is different on how they run there programs and the quality of the program. If you try and find an apprenticeship right off the hop make sure you get agreement in writing since you could use them to either a sign you or if they don't you could take them to court about it.  
 
Honestly if you know the basic tool and are willing to work most company will take a chance on you but be prepared for layoffs too. With your age that may help but never know.