Electricians or Elevators union advice for my son

[MonkeyButt70]

My 19yo son wants to get in the Electricians or Elevator union as a career. What advice or path would be advised? I’m sure someone here on RDP has some knowledge or advice for my son. We toured Southern California Institute of Technology last week for General Electrician and Industrial Motors classes. Very impressed with their offerings. My son has a great work ethic, eye to hand coordination, and mechanical mind. But Im not sure this is the correct path since I have very limited knowledge in these fields. Any advice is welcomed.

 

[DaveH]

before signing up for a big name school, i would go to community college and take some basic electronics classes introducing him to AC/DC circuits and all that.

 

[jesco]

Is he an arrogant, condensending prick...???? If so, he will fit in great with the elevators constructors union. Hahahahah... KIDDING!!!

Either trade would be a good one, but if he wants to work union he should just go straight in, no need to spend money on schooling when they are going to school him all over again. Maybe a class at a local JC like DaveH said to see if its something that he thinks he want to learn more. If electrical, have him find a job at a non-union contractor and get some hands on first to see if he even likes it. Just like school, construction is not for everyone.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Is he an arrogant, condensending prick...???? If so, he will fit in great with the elevators constructors union. Hahahahah... KIDDING!!!

Either trade would be a good one, but if he wants to work union he should just go straight in, no need to spend money on schooling when they are going to school him all over again. Maybe a class at a local JC like DaveH said to see if its something that he thinks he want to learn more. If electrical, have him find a job at a non-union contractor and get some hands on first to see if he even likes it. Just like school, construction is not for everyone.

Lol, he might not fit into the elevators union, he is a mild mannered respectful kid.

What is the best way to approach a union and get accepted? Is it best to know someone or just show up at the union hall?

 

[BHC Vic]

For both those unions I believe you have to test in. Always helps to know someone. @Riley1 or @Mrs. Riley1 would probably know a lot more than me

 

[TrollerDave]

From LA City personnel office

https://personnel.lacity.gov/doc.cfm?get=ClassSpec3799

https://personnel.lacity.gov/doc.cfm?get=ClassSpec3860

There is a path through the city of LA.

When I tried for the Electricians union over 30 years ago, you needed to know somebody to apply for the apprenticeship.

 

[Wasted seamen]

Have him start off as a delivery driver for them and will get his foot in the union alot easier.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Have him start off as a delivery driver for them and will get his foot in the union alot easier.

Would that be a delivery driver for a union company or the union hall? Excuse my ignorance, I have no clue how the union works.

 

[BHC Vic]

Would that be a delivery driver for a union company or the union hall? Excuse my ignorance, I have no clue how the union works.

Company I might have a connection at rosendin or whatever they are called. I could ask my buddy Kenny both his boys work for them

 

[NeedlesRat]

If he’s interested in electrical trade, he should really think about becoming a lineman.

 

[HBCraig]

Elevators for sure
My brother is a retired union carpenter. He said the elevator guys get the best money and have a shit ton of power.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Company I might have a connection at rosendin or whatever they are called. I could ask my buddy Kenny both his boys work for them

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[BHC Vic]

If he’s interested in electrical trade, he should really think about becoming a lineman.

I have some apprentices that left the carpenters union to do that. Graduated but are now back w the carpenters. One said he needs a class A or cdl I forget which and the other said he’s waiting to get dispatched to a good job I have no idea what that means. I think lineman would be a pretty cool job but I do hear they travel a bit too.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

If he’s interested in electrical trade, he should really think about becoming a lineman.

He started pursuing being a lineman. One of the recommendations was to get his CDL to get ahead of the pack of people in line for this. He just finished getting his CDL with manual endorsement. So he is also interested in being a lineman if a door opens there.

 

[Taboma]

He started pursuing being a lineman. One of the recommendations was to get his CDL to get ahead of the pack of people in line for this. He just finished getting his CDL with manual endorsement. So he is also interested in being a lineman if a door opens there.

What area does he live in ? There's numerous union and non-union schools and paths to being an electrician. My son has hired young men who are attending state accredited apprenticeship classes going to night school at local community colleges. You can apply and test into the IBEW Inside Wireman's apprenticeship program or the ABC (Non-union) program. I also believe there's another one now, but I've been retired and out of that loop for awhile now.

 

[81Sprint]

Not sure what area your in, but in Vegas the IBEW has a classification called expeditors, basically material and tool handling. It is a good way to get in the union, get some knowledge of the trade, then transfer into the apprenticeship after some time. Lineman is a good skill but most likely he would be traveling the country to follow where the work is. This year marks 30 years IBEW for me, damn time flies.

 

[Mrs. Riley1]

I would recommend the elevator union. I believe it’s the highest paid trade and the working conditions are better. They only have open recruitment once every two years or as needed. I went on the website and it is showing a tentative date of July 2026. The local in that area covers San Diego, LA, and Las Vegas. I’m sure my husband would be more than happy to talk to you or your son about the process.

 

[mobldj]

grumpy here on forum is elevator guy in vegas.he might know the best route

 

[Javajoe]

If he’s interested in electrical trade, he should really think about becoming a lineman.

X100

 

[MonkeyButt70]

What area does he live in ? There's numerous union and non-union schools and paths to being an electrician. My son has hired young men who are attending state accredited apprenticeship classes going to night school at local community colleges. You can apply and test into the IBEW Inside Wireman's apprenticeship program or the ABC (Non-union) program. I also believe there's another one now, but I've been retired and out of that loop for awhile now.

Great info, My son Cooper is located in Orange County

 

[MonkeyButt70]

I would recommend the elevator union. I believe it’s the highest paid trade and the working conditions are better. They only have open recruitment once every two years or as needed. I went on the website and it is showing a tentative date of July 2026. The local in that area covers San Diego, LA, and Las Vegas. I’m sure my husband would be more than happy to talk to you or your son about the process.

Thank you, that would be amazing if he could talk with your husband. Please let me know if that would be ok and I can message you contact info for my son

 

[rivermobster]

Go down to the union hall, and get on the sign up list.

While you're there, ask them what the best way proceed is.

They will have The best info for you.

 

[Taboma]

Great info, My son Cooper is located in Orange County

IBEW local # 441 was my home local and where I served my apprenticeship in 1966, but no longer have any contacts there.
If your son was in Ventura, I've got a great connection for a Merit (non-union) shop.

 

[Mrs. Riley1]

Thank you, that would be amazing if he could talk with your husband. Please let me know if that would be ok and I can message you contact info for my son

Sure. You can send it to either myself or @Riley1

 

[Riley1]

Thank you, that would be amazing if he could talk with your husband. Please let me know if that would be ok and I can message you contact info for my son

PM sent.

 

[mjc]

Go to the next NHRA and talk to Jack Beckmen. He drives John Forces car and is an elevator guy in orange county I believe.

 

[HBCraig]

I know for Operating Engineers you need to have a sponsor. Have your son ask if he needs one.

 

[Bobby_329]

Electricians are on the job from beginning to end. Elevators take a few months to install. Both are good trades sheet metal isn't a bad one to look at either.

 

[bilz]

City of L A Personnel web site will have the most current info for the many jobs in the electrical field. The ECH job does have a pre req. LA TradecTech is a good place to look into forLA City.
Our local High Scchool district offers an electricians training course designed. To help prep you for the union entrance test.
Hands on and lecture.
They offer a plumbing course also.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

@MonkeyButt70
I started my career with IBEW Local #11. The school they partner with is ETI, Electrical Training Institute in the City of Commerce.

Electrical Training Institute | Info for Apprenticeship Applicants

www.laett.com

Long story short, I became an Inside Wireman apprentice. Five year commitment. Two nights a week for five years straight. He must show up to every class and bust your ass 40+ hours a week working for a contractor. Generally apprentices always worked so there’s very little time sitting in the hall.

The cost to me….nothing. The apprenticeship is funded by every person working as a union electrician through their union dues. The way you pay it back is by putting in 5 years of service after you turn out. I started in 2004 so there may have been be some changes, but in a nutshell that’s how it worked.

I started off as green as grass. Didn’t know shit about electrical. I turned out as a journeyman and then got hired with the City of Los Angeles and now work as a journey level Instrumentation Mechanic at one of LADWP’s power plants. Getting on with the city wasn’t as straightforward as that, but my electrical definitely knowledge got me to where I am today.

It’s an excellent apprenticeship program through IBEW Local #11. It takes commitment and hard work but the pay and benefits are top notch, and you’re learning a craft.

 

[Joker]

The money is in starting an elevator maintenance company and selling it. These big companies refuse to let the small companies take their accounts.

 

[Riley1]

The money is in starting an elevator maintenance company and selling it. These big companies refuse to let the small companies take their accounts.

True story. And 1 that has crossed my mind.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

@MonkeyButt70
I started my career with IBEW Local #11. The school they partner with is ETI, Electrical Training Institute in the City of Commerce.

Electrical Training Institute | Info for Apprenticeship Applicants

www.laett.com

Long story short, I became an Inside Wireman apprentice. Five year commitment. Two nights a week for five years straight. He must show up to every class and bust your ass 40+ hours a week working for a contractor. Generally apprentices always worked so there’s very little time sitting in the hall.

The cost to me….nothing. The apprenticeship is funded by every person working as a union electrician through their union dues. The way you pay it back is by putting in 5 years of service after you turn out. I started in 2004 so there may have been be some changes, but in a nutshell that’s how it worked.

I started off as green as grass. Didn’t know shit about electrical. I turned out as a journeyman and then got hired with the City of Los Angeles and now work as a journey level Instrumentation Mechanic at one of LADWP’s power plants. Getting on with the city wasn’t as straightforward as that, but my electrical definitely knowledge got me to where I am today.

It’s an excellent apprenticeship program through IBEW Local #11. It takes commitment and hard work but the pay and benefits are top notch, and you’re learning a craft.

Great insight, thank you. This kid is determined but the actual commitment takes mental and physical strength. But that is how hard work pays off.

 

[dezrtracer]

@MonkeyButt70
I started my career with IBEW Local #11. The school they partner with is ETI, Electrical Training Institute in the City of Commerce.

Electrical Training Institute | Info for Apprenticeship Applicants

www.laett.com

Long story short, I became an Inside Wireman apprentice. Five year commitment. Two nights a week for five years straight. He must show up to every class and bust your ass 40+ hours a week working for a contractor. Generally apprentices always worked so there’s very little time sitting in the hall.

The cost to me….nothing. The apprenticeship is funded by every person working as a union electrician through their union dues. The way you pay it back is by putting in 5 years of service after you turn out. I started in 2004 so there may have been be some changes, but in a nutshell that’s how it worked.

I started off as green as grass. Didn’t know shit about electrical. I turned out as a journeyman and then got hired with the City of Los Angeles and now work as a journey level Instrumentation Mechanic at one of LADWP’s power plants. Getting on with the city wasn’t as straightforward as that, but my electrical definitely knowledge got me to where I am today.

It’s an excellent apprenticeship program through IBEW Local #11. It takes commitment and hard work but the pay and benefits are top notch, and you’re learning a craft.

Wish I would have listened to a good buddy of mine a couple years out of high school . He was a 3rd generation Local 11 Inside Wireman . He his worked his butt off while the rest of partied and chased girls . He retired with a great pension at 55 and now his son is 4th generation and killing it .

Edit : My buddies Apprenticeship was 5 years two nights a week . I went in the Cabinetmakers and Millmen Local 721 that only had a 4 year one night a week . Then switched it up after 15 years and now getting close to retiring from Local 80 Motion Picture and Studio Grips .

 

[riverroyal]

Elevator union is near impossible unless you have a relative in or family.
Like someone else mentioned, the absolute most non collaborative, ridiculous tradesmen on any jobsite. Always been that way. I've had more shouting matches with them than another trade by a mile.
Electrical union is good. But straight to apprentice is a bit tough currently. Socal is slow. It will ramp up in 12 months with Olympics coming . He should look for tool room, driver or intern positions to roll into apprenticeship.

Sheet metal union is doing well for pension amounts now.
Plumbing a pipefitting is also doing ok.
They all have some type of testing to get in and you need a GED.
The hardest thing right now is it's 8 hours of labor. Real tough finding a young adult to do that for basically the rest of your life.
Some humans are just not cut out for it.

My track record for bringing kids/young adults is 100% don't make it through apprenticeship. The last 5 years hasn't been the hard labor, it's the not being able stay off phones and be distracted.
Constantly find them hiding, checking cell.

Plus the unions will drug screen. 1st injury they are gone.

If I was to recommend anything in construction it would be taking construction management classes. Because the vast majority of guys can build a building on paper, but can't do anything else. Intern with a GC.

I will get flamed. Which is fine. I do think if he want to work with his hands, wear bags and bust ass a union is the right path. The med insurance alone is enough reason.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

I know for Operating Engineers you need to have a sponsor. Have your son ask if he needs one.

Thank you if we get to that point. I will reach out

 

[riverroyal]

Thank you if we get to that point. I will reach out

This....if he can get a sponsor with operators he should jump on it.
He will be waxing cranes for a long time but it's worth it

 

[zhandfull]

Lot of good advice here.

A non traditional route might include. Some time working for a non union electrician or electrical company. Learn some good work habits and be reliable. Stay off the damn cell phone during work hours.

As previously mentioned take community college classes starting with electrical 101 and associated lab work. A good NEC class at community college will prepare you to take and pass the State Journeyman Electrical Certification test.

The work experience combined with college classes and electrical certification card will open doors to a lifetime of opportunities.

Getting the CDL was a good move.

 

[BHC Vic]

Elevator union is near impossible unless you have a relative in or family.
Like someone else mentioned, the absolute most non collaborative, ridiculous tradesmen on any jobsite. Always been that way. I've had more shouting matches with them than another trade by a mile.
Electrical union is good. But straight to apprentice is a bit tough currently. Socal is slow. It will ramp up in 12 months with Olympics coming . He should look for tool room, driver or intern positions to roll into apprenticeship.

Sheet metal union is doing well for pension amounts now.
Plumbing a pipefitting is also doing ok.
They all have some type of testing to get in and you need a GED.
The hardest thing right now is it's 8 hours of labor. Real tough finding a young adult to do that for basically the rest of your life.
Some humans are just not cut out for it.

My track record for bringing kids/young adults is 100% don't make it through apprenticeship. The last 5 years hasn't been the hard labor, it's the not being able stay off phones and be distracted.
Constantly find them hiding, checking cell.

Plus the unions will drug screen. 1st injury they are gone.

If I was to recommend anything in construction it would be taking construction management classes. Because the vast majority of guys can build a building on paper, but can't do anything else. Intern with a GC.

I will get flamed. Which is fine. I do think if he want to work with his hands, wear bags and bust ass a union is the right path. The med insurance alone is enough reason.

Maybe years ago. But this isn’t the way it is anymore.

 

[BHC Vic]

My buddy is in the process still. Doesn’t know anyone in the elevators union. They opened applications in April within a minute it was full. As far as them being hard to work with I’ve never had an issue and framing elevator lobbies and cants inside with them was basically how I made my money. I’m happy in the carpenters union but it’s definitely not for everyone. I’ll be able to retire with a full pension at around 45 years old. Maybe I pull my pension and go work as a safety director or welding inspector lots of good routes in this thread. I’m happy to see someone wanting to get into any construction.

 

[Ladsm]

I started off my career as an electrician going to ROP classes in HS then joined IBEW Local 11 as an apprentice, Signed up for 4 years, tested and got advanced to year 3 right away for previous experience. I did that for a few years and then got into automated controls, then sales engineer, then Ops manager,. then Branch manager. I got burnt out on the crazy hours and corporate stress and jumped to the customer side and oversee facilities for Amazon. I have been making 6+ figures for a long time and my only schooling was for electrical. Looking back all my elec buddies that started their own shop are now doing really well and have nice businesses. If I did it all over again I would have jumped out on my own early on. Shoulda, coulda, would've. I finally started my own Service Repair business in 2024 and am building it now on the weekends.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

I started off my career as an electrician going to ROP classes in HS then joined IBEW Local 11 as an apprentice, Signed up for 4 years, tested and got advanced to year 3 right away for previous experience. I did that for a few years and then got into automated controls, then sales engineer, then Ops manager,. then Branch manager. I got burnt out on the crazy hours and corporate stress and jumped to the customer side and oversee facilities for Amazon. I have been making 6+ figures for a long time and my only schooling was for electrical. Looking back all my elec buddies that started their own shop are now doing really well and have nice businesses. If I did it all over again I would have jumped out on my own early on. Shoulda, coulda, would've. I finally started my own Service Repair business in 2024 and am building it now on the weekends.

Thank you for your input. Im in my mid 50s and I look back at my career path and always wonder where I would be today for decisions made. I do not regret what I do, I create what is not real for feature films and episodic television. Although my industry is filled with lunatics, you would be surprised on how many normal people exist behind the camera. I do know that if I continued to my path in the OC fire department, I would be planning my retirement party this year… life choices are so important at a early age.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

My brother is in the elevator union. He said the LA market has been pretty slow for the last few months. He bounces back and forth between repair/retrofit/and install adjuster (not sure if I got that last term correct?). He makes really good money and really enjoys his work, but is concerned about the future work load.

I look at the 2 this way...... Elevators and Escalators arent going anywhere, however they arent necessarily needing to constantly add a bunch or totally change out equipment. In other words, there is no guarantee the trade will grow very much. Electrician on the other hand.... the government is essentially guaranteeing an expansion of the trade for the next several decades. The trade will continue to grow and just about all new technology will require electrical applications in one way or another.

 

[rivrrts429]

My buddy has been in the Elevator union for 20+ years and done well for himself and his family. He’s never hungry and his garage/shop looks like an adult toy box, not that materialistic shit matters.

He loves it and it’s all he knows but the trade has been good to him.

 

[Bobby V]

My 19yo son wants to get in the Electricians or Elevator union as a career. What advice or path would be advised? I’m sure someone here on RDP has some knowledge or advice for my son. We toured Southern California Institute of Technology last week for General Electrician and Industrial Motors classes. Very impressed with their offerings. My son has a great work ethic, eye to hand coordination, and mechanical mind. But Im not sure this is the correct path since I have very limited knowledge in these fields. Any advice is welcomed.

I would go electrical. After all the fire destructions there going to need more electricians than elevator installers during the rebuild.

 

[Orange Juice]

My 19yo son wants to get in the Electricians or Elevator union as a career. What advice or path would be advised? I’m sure someone here on RDP has some knowledge or advice for my son. We toured Southern California Institute of Technology last week for General Electrician and Industrial Motors classes. Very impressed with their offerings. My son has a great work ethic, eye to hand coordination, and mechanical mind. But Im not sure this is the correct path since I have very limited knowledge in these fields. Any advice is welcomed.

Sign him up for a 4-5 year enlistment in the Navy, or at least talk over his union plan with a recruiter.

 

[77charger]

Thank you for your input. Im in my mid 50s and I look back at my career path and always wonder where I would be today for decisions made. I do not regret what I do, I create what is not real for feature films and episodic television. Although my industry is filled with lunatics, you would be surprised on how many normal people exist behind the camera. I do know that if I continued to my path in the OC fire department, I would be planning my retirement party this year… life choices are so important at a early age.

Truth. I had good opportunities around 19-20 instead I continued to have fun for a little while.

Uncle somehow got into the trainyard at the time off the 710 fwy where they offload the containers onto trucks. He got into management really quick and use to ask me then want a job I can get you in. Also had chance to learn electrical from a fam friend but again wanted to act like a young adult.

Either one of these would have been great Careers with great retirements. If we could only go back in time with what we know now.