• My First Day as an Electrician Apprentice: A Journey of Learning

    Excitement and nerves filled me as I prepared for my first day as an electrician apprentice. The dispatcher had advised me to arrive at least half an hour before the job began, but my eagerness led me to the job site a whole hour earlier. Eager to embark on this new journey, I was introduced to my journeyman mentor, Ben, a seasoned professional who appeared to be in his 50s+ with a friendly, stocky build. To my surprise, the day’s task involved upgrading the HVAC system, which struck me as unusual for electricians. However, it became clear that our role was focused on the electrical aspect of the upgrade. As…

  • My Journey into the Non-Union Electrician Apprenticeship Program

    In 2018, I set my sights on joining an electrician apprenticeship program, but the opportunities on the union side seemed elusive with their limited sign-up windows. Undeterred, I explored the non-union route, which offered year-round sign-ups. Though I knew the union was considered superior, I decided to pursue the non-union path due to its more accessible nature. In 2021, I took the first step by enrolling in the ABC NorCal program in Northern California. Signing up was a breeze; I simply filled out my details on their website and provided a copy of my high school diploma via email. A few weeks later, I underwent an aptitude test that covered…