How do I become an electrician?

[GreenScoutII]

nice thing about the electrician career, many I know have become other things with that knowledge - working for companies on computers and phone systems etc later on in life.

Not to go off topic here, but that is the best damn avatar pic I've ever seen!

[Marlin]

Irv, now is probably not the best time to get into one of the trades. Contrary to what some might tell you, electricians and plumbers are not recession proof occupations. New construction is all but dead right now, not a lot of remodel work is being done, and service work sucks too much to contemplate.<SNIP>

Yep I'd say think long and hard about it at this time..

Why do you think I've been here so much.. A few of my sources have been telling me, other than the odd job here and there They haven't been doing full 40hr weeks..

Granted My CLP gig isn't the standard To judge how things are going, but it can come close. The last two I was even offed was were for a couple of days and that was it.. One was just to go help out pull some wire for the rest of the day.. That one they called at 1:30, so I figure that meant that they had screwed the pooch..

Heck I'd almost say check out the Plumbers also, at least they get more service calls than sparkies do.. so that might be something..

[Irving]

Irv, now is probably not the best time to get into one of the trades. Contrary to what some might tell you, electricians and plumbers are not recession proof occupations. New construction is all but dead right now, not a lot of remodel work is being done, and service work sucks too much to contemplate.

I appreciate the warning, but I feel like this is the case with pretty much every industry right now. I just need to decide if there is a better time than now to try and break into the industry.

I've been looking pretty hard at working for Union Pacific, but they are currently not hiring in Denver. They had an opening in Grand Junction, but that is to far. I've been checking the website at least once a week though because I've noticed that the job openings have been changing at least that often.

[GreenScoutII]

Well I wish you luck Irv. I think you'll enjoy working with your hands and have a lot of fun doing your job from day to day. Just do your homework and decide what you want to do. It will work out in the end.

[Irving]

Man, I've been calling around and I just hear more and more about lay offs and taking along time to get work. Not looking great so far. Hopefully I hear back on those other jobs I applied for earlier this week.

[DD977GM2]

I have family in the Pipefitters and IBEW and as an apprentice, once your labor number comes up, you will be working. The benefit from having you work as an apprentice and getting the OJT and then taking classes with them. As others have said though, the industry is slow and until your labor number comes up, they fill out of work apprentices first then go to the labor pool.

Good Luck. Check out Vestas America in Brighton. I just did work out there and they are still building a huge facility and looking to employ of 2k people and have only acquired 5% of the 2k folks and still growing.

[Irving]

I'm looking them up right now, thanks.

[Marlin]

Stu,, If you do find something.. Let me know,, I can hook you up with some stuff you'll need tool wise..

[Irving]

Why thank you sir. I just got done talking with my dad who was a building engineer for about 20 years (was the head engineer for 1801 California St in Denver). He suggested I look at something along those lines as well.

[Marlin]

Oh, I have triples and quadruples of most of the basic stuff.. So, no problem..