10 Tips for Apprentice Electricians

These 10 tips/ habits will make you stand out amongst your peers. These are things that every journeyman wish their apprentice knew. In preparation for this video, I surveyed multiple journeymen electricians in my Local Union to find out what the most desired habits are that journeymen look for in apprentices. In this video I go in depth, explaining what each habit is and how to put it into practice.
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#electrician #ibew #apprentice

[@alpinecurrant7770]

1. Ask questions 2. Write things down/take notes 3. Stay off your phone! 4. Be reliable 5. Anticipate the needs of your JW 6. move with purpose, don't rush/don't drag 7. Have a good attitude 8. Put in effort 9. Be teachable, stay humble 10. Take initiative

[@jayjeffs821]

One thing I have learned in my first year of apprenticeship is to always stay busy. In some instances there can be a lot of downtime when performing a certain task. In that downtime there is always something that can be done whether it be cleaning your work area or organizing material and tools to make the work space look a lot more neat. It is never good to be caught standing around waiting for orders. Something I had to learn the hard way my first couple months in.

[@shikaku_]

I usually bug my journeyman for something to do, like if I'm making up a box, right as I'm about to finish I'll ask for the next task and work like an animal, I've found that if you can do the work as efficient as it's given to you it looks really good on you.

[@MadElectrician]

What are some more habits that I didn’t already mention I this video? Here are two more that think are important: 1) Be an apprentice with integrity. 2) If you see something, say something.

[@vencilporter199]

I will be sending your videos to my son to inspire him. Thank you so much

[@MadElectrician]

It’s my pleasure! Glad that you’re enjoying the videos!

[@davidc.4497]

I agree with everything that you said! Great info! Am currently working as an apprentice electrician and I always try to implement these habits into my work.

[@MadElectrician]

Right on man! I appreciate the feedback! ⚡️

[@edgarmenjivar4962]

How has it been for you ? I want to start but have no idea where to start lol just got out of high school

[@shikaku_]

@@MadElectrician do you have any tips for studying for the journeyman exam

[@CarlJames10]

I have an interview to get into the program this coming Thursday. I’ve been watching your videos and they’ve been pumping me up. Can’t wait for this new journey. I’m excited

[@matthewsantucci280]

Great video, very inciteful and thoughtful. I am almost 40 years old and i'm trying to join my local union's apprenticeship. This video is encouraging. Great work.

[@MadElectrician]

Hey Matthew! That's really awesome to hear! I appreciate the kind words and I would highly recommend this career. It can be challenging to get into, but once you're in it's well worth all of the time and effort that you put into it. If you have any questions or anything for me don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks for watching! ⚡️

[@stephentham6761]

Thanks again for sharing these tips! I just got ranked #4 for the Limited Energy apprenticeship program at Local 48. I am looking forward to starting to starting soon! All of your videos have been so helpful for going through this process! Thanks Again!

[@MadElectrician]

Right on Stephen! That's great to hear! Congrats 🥳 It's always cool to hear from people who have watched my videos and are applying/ working for Local 48. I'm sure we'll run into eachother at school or on the job sometime 👍🏼

[@kerishirvell9255]

Excellent! Thankyou for your help!

[@joshvrolyk]

Hey dude, I’ve spent the last few weeks watching a ton of your videos while I wait for my local training center to start accepting applications again. I’m going in tomorrow morning to apply, and your videos have helped paint a much clearer picture of what I should expect if I get in. So I just wanted to say thank you!

[@AdrianLopez-yh3ug]

Update?

[@Dalton2v]

Did you get in?

[@carolo2642]

excellent tips on good old fashion work ethic for anyone to be successful entering into a new career as a trainee .

[@Patches_ingame]

I'd like to suggest possibly making a video on attire and PPE? What products have you found to hold up the best in your trade and things to stay away from, things of that nature. :) Thanks for the videos! Super helpful!

[@MadElectrician]

Those are great ideas! I haven’t thought of those. I have a list of videos that I want to make soon but I’ll make sure to add those to my list ⚡️✌🏼

[@breed187]

OSHA requires companies to require PPE for employees. Don’t waste your money

[@samuelattuah7975]

Am your big fan from Ghana 🇬🇭 west Africa . I am apprenticeship electrician .

[@jamescarpenter8973]

great vid man thx for the tips

[@MadElectrician]

Thanks for watching!

[@fidelcollazo4262]

Thank you for your videos steven took my testst last week. dude!! I thought i was ready i need to retake algebraic operations

[@MadElectrician]

You’re very welcome bro! Gotcha, well at least now you have a better idea of what specifically you should focus on. You’ll definitely get it next time with that study time. Did is seem like the information I mentioned in my video did a pretty good job of covering what was on your test?

[@chandlerrozas1661]

hey steven, i just watched your videos for the past couple hours there great cant get enough. saw your hand tools list, you think you will do a power tool list as well? thanks for the help you are very inspiring !

[@MadElectrician]

Hey Chandler! Wow, thanks! I’m glad that you’re enjoying the videos and finding them to be inspiring. I can definitely do a power tool list. I think that’s a great idea. I do have a list of videos that I’d like to probably do before that but I will definitely make sure to get a power tool video out eventually.

[@TheActiveSwiper]

Thanks for the videos! Just had my 1st day as apprentice!

[@MadElectrician]

Hey, right on! How was your first week!? I remember it was pretty overwhelming for me but also a lot of fun.

[@TheActiveSwiper]

@@MadElectrician yeah it was pretty overwhelming being so clueless about something lol but it’s getting better everyday

[@TVRCreators]

Good video and some very good points :) Keep pushing your videos and do what you do. :)

[@MadElectrician]

Thanks! I really appreciate it man. That’s the plan!

[@TVRCreators]

@@MadElectrician Your most welcome. Keep going and pushing your channel. :)

[@vincentmangal6169]

I like number 9 I use it in all aspects of my life I always say I know nothing so that my mind keeps on learning and receiving rather than assuming I'm the best and be capped on my learning bank.

[@davidpasciyojr9503]

Thank you for the videos. I'm bidding for an apprenticeship in E/I in the union.

[@alfonsoguzman1078]

Thanks this is really helpful

[@MadElectrician]

Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@dash7908]

AMAZING!!!

[@MadElectrician]

You’re amazing.

[@austinreeves5221]

im 22 and i just got sponsored in local 11! im hyped

[@MadElectrician]

Hey Austin! Congratulations! 🥳 That’s a major accomplishment. So exciting!

[@Mixwell1983]

That's cool, I used to live right around the corner from there off of Gage. Have since moved to TN but my dad was a journeyman and was pushing me back in the early 2000s to go. I wish I did and now I am considering a career change.

[@christianpederson7744]

These are excellent tips! But I will say that not every Journeyman/Master will appreciate all the questions and will sometimes even ignore you or give you attitude for asking sheerly because they “didn’t sign up to be a teacher”; Though they really did in reality lol.

[@deathrawphantasma]

I was fine with being on time and listening and asking questions. The one thing I struggled with was installing lights not wiring, just installation. I would take too long.

[@jaredkilgore7194]

I swear that 75% of it is showing up on time every day just like one of the 10 here in your list. If you can do this, when it comes down to keeping you or the other apprentice that may have a higher mechanical aptitude but has an issue with being on time and or showing up everyday, they will 99 times out of 100 choose you over that other guy.

[@diegoguzman8843]

I've been told that before by an electrician retiree turned instructor. He told us that many Apprentice are let go for constantly being late, not showing up. Aside from being on their phone and other things.

[@dudemanmanguy1957]

That’s funny I worked at an AT&T corporate store before I joined the IBEW as an apprentice 👍🏻 LU 659

[@CourierFromFONv]

Just submitted my application to IBEW local 1, wish me luck!

[@MadElectrician]

Hey Nate! Wishing you the best of luck! ⚡️

[@CourierFromFONv]

@@MadElectrician thanks bro!

[@xSoporific1]

Ty

[@eduardomunoz430]

I know this may be random but when you brew your coffee is that in the day or night? Great content by the way very inspiring👍

[@shikaku_]

Well I'm an apprentice and I think the one thing on this list that needs the most work for me is my attitude, I've got work ethic but when something isn't going my way and it's taking me longer than it should take (like a 5 minute fish taking me a half hour) I get really sour and frustrated and my mouth often goes off before my brain. I've gotten a lot better with it, but still needs lots of work.

[@stevelopez372]

Keep working at it and you will be fine. You mentioned your Brain. Fill your Brain with Code knowledge, you will be Head and Shoulders above the rest. An Electrician is more than Monkey see, Monkey do. You will be worth your weight in Gold. Good Luck.

[@stephaneselbe]

This is possibly a silly question but is it kosher to use your phone to write things down? I have a habit of writing things down in the notes app on my phone. It’s always been fine in the trade environments I’ve been in so far, but I recently got into the union and I’m curious.

[@jaredkilgore7194]

I've been searching the internet to try to find a video on what electrical apprentices can expect from certain journeyment as far as being tough teachers and possibly hazing on the job. What do you think of that for video idea? Thanks ✌️

[@CTGambler]

I got my interview on Thursday 🤙🏻

[@MadElectrician]

Right on Connor! How are you feeling about it?

[@CTGambler]

@@MadElectrician I’m feeling confident about it, I’ve thought about what exactly they’re going to ask me at the interview. Not quite sure what to expect question wise

[@voxking101]

Hey i had a random question not related to the video but related to the field. Im currently applying to my local ibew and had one small concern that makes me hesitant on going full force in to this. My main concern comes from my brother being a journeyman, he travels all the time and is always away from home, this works for him and his wife but im not sure how i would like that with me also having a wife and kid. Is traveling to other states necessary to keep working or can you still keep consistent work by staying local? I understand that some times there’s a need for it, but i dont know if i would like being away from my family for more than half of the year. Any thoughts on this?

[@MadElectrician]

That’s good question. I had similar concerns beforehand because I have a wife and two daughters as well. As a journeyman, you should have a say in where you want to work. There may be times where you help your company with a project somewhere else, but I don’t see any reason why you would have to. As an apprentice it’s a little different. You technically need to work wherever you get sent; however, you will only be working within your local unions jurisdiction. I’d try to find out what the jurisdiction of your local union is so you can have an idea of the worst case scenario for how far you may potentially have to work. Here is the thing though, they will almost always try to get you with a company that’s close to home. I haven’t personally met any apprentices who have had to travel or work far away when it wasn’t by their choice. Hopefully that helps. If I were you I’d go for it and not worry about too much. Hope that helps! 👍🏼

[@voxking101]

Mad Electrician thanks for the info, that definitely eases my mind a bit. And keep the videos up man, they’ve helped me a ton with this applying and trying to get in.

[@MadElectrician]

Im really glad to hear that! I’ve been pretty amazed at the response from people about these. It’s really motivating. Thanks!

[@biz504]

Always have pencil, pen, and a marker, be reliable and don't miss work unless you have to, pay attention and stay off your phone, always carry tools on you or in your back pockets, anticipate what needs to be done next, and if there's nothing to be done.. CLEAN UP..

[@jenamumme]

That tag on your power cord is bugging my OCD Steven!! 😉 FYI

[@MadElectrician]

Haha! I'll have to do something about it 😂 It was really cool to meet you and see you at the training center a couple of times! What company did you end up with?

[@jenamumme]

@@MadElectrician Same! I felt like I saw a celebrity! Lol I ended up with Dynalectric out at Intel. It's pretty cool. Today was my first day working 😂

[@alternativejeff1847]

@@jenamummeupdate?.

[@optimisticintrovert7152]

I start next week and super excited ! More than anything I want to learn this trade ! More important to me then the paycheck. I have a question though. I've been growing my hair for like 4 years. Should I cut it ? It's pretty humid where I'll be working and dont want any distractions from my learning abilities. Stupid question I know. Just curious on your thoughts

[@MadElectrician]

Hey man! Sorry for the delayed response. I know what you mean about just wanting to learn the trade. I was and am still the same way. It’s such a cool trade to learn and what I’ve come to find out is that the learning never stops. Electrical work is so multifaceted and you can truly work a full career in the trade and still never come close to learning everything. Plus it’s just such a great practical skill to have. You can save a ton of money doing your own electrical work. As far as your hair goes, I don’t think that it would be a huge problem. I would say to just do what you feel comfortable with. You could try leaving it long and if it seems like it is a distraction in some way then maybe that’s when I’d consider cutting it. Or maybe if you’ve been considering cutting it, then you could cut it now, as starting a career like this is kind of like a new chapter in life. Unless you see starting this career though as maybe I good time to cut it, then I would worry about it too much. That’s my two cents, for whatever it’s worth.

[@something_in_the_radiator1665]

how are things going for you now? i'm gearing up to take the aptitude test but i want to brush up on my algebra and do a bit more research before i apply.

[@MrCodyFults]

Also on #3 remember family comes first and you never know if something is an emergency or not if you dont answer your phone..

[@MadElectrician]

Absolutely. That’s a great point.

[@xcessVEVO]

How can I be an apprentice electrician?...do I have to take a course or something?...i have no experience how do i start? Thanks

[@MadElectrician]

Hey, thanks for reaching out! Check out my “How to Become an Apprentice Electrician” video/ playlist. In that playlist of video I should answer just about all of your questions in depth. You can find the playlist on my channel under the playlist section. I’d type it all out but I think that will do a much better job. Hope it helps!

[@joeshmoe8952]

Trade school would be a good start.

[@edward1937]

another important tip for any apprentice is if you're doing nothing don't just stand there, start cleaning up and pick up trash from your crew. dunno about sparkies being able to do this tho lmao

[@CaseNumber00]

What would be a good response to the interview question: "Describe what an electrician does on the job?"

[@jonahgerald385]

How many hours do you work a week

[@MadElectrician]

Hey Jonah! I personally work 40 hours a week. Most electricians work 40 hour weeks. At my local, while we are in school, we work 32 hour weeks (one day off a week for school). The schooling is free though and we only have school every other term. So we basically have three months of 40 hour weeks and three months of 32 hour weeks. Lots of jobs offer overtime, but it’s rarely required. It’s very rare that you won’t be offered enough hours for a full 40 hour work week.

[@jonahgerald385]

@@MadElectrician thanks, I appreciate it!

[@accordingto27]

Don’t use your phone for work related tasks unless your contractor pays your bill

[@Valmural]

Do you get paid as an apprentice?

[@MadElectrician]

Yes you do! That’s one of the coolest things about being an apprentice. It’s an earn while you learn system. You will earn incremental wages as you advance through your apprenticeship. Check out my IBEW Wages video if you haven’t yet. I go pretty in depth talking about all of that.

[@Gainoffuntion]

Don't use it phone at all at work. Unless ur on break. It foreman is calling u? Is it phone bill paid by the company? Answer that call after work hours. But not during.

[@ellenlaken8440]

Learn to read prints.

[@MadElectrician]

Very important 👍🏼

[@Fluvanna]

In the military, we have a saying: "If you're not 15 minutes early, you're late."

[@MadElectrician]

I like it!

[@eray9799]

Coffee is a laxative and it tastes like shit

[@dennisbiggs7040]

1st mistake, asking Local Union members

[@MadElectrician]

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree there 😉