Am I Too Old?

I’m 32. I want to become an Electrician (Inside Wireperson). The apprenticeship is opening up this August. Just wondering if you guy’s think I’m too old

Never too old bro, I’m 44 and would love to get into Electrical, I love that trade…. If I could afford the pay cut I would do it

nowhere near to old…..go for it….

Too old? is that a joke? I have socks older then that.

Hey Mikey, I’m 44 too and retire in three and a half and have been toying with that idea! Nalurash never too d by the way!

Thanks guys. I just went into the IBEW Unions office today and the other guy applying just graduated highschool, lol. I was too much of a party animal/dummy at that age.

 

I do have experience with Electrical, I’ve roughed in a few boxes and circuits. I’m self taught however, I didn’t go the tradesman route. I really enjoy this type of work and I could see myself doing this for a long time. 

I hope you get the job dude! Let us know when you find out but I am really serious about that too. I just found out Univ Southern NH has a program for my agency where I can get a college BS degree for 10k. I might take it. I got out of HS and went into Fire EMS and then my current job so this is all I’ve done.

Never too old man,life is what you make it. Do what you wanna do in life.

U can do it!

Let’s assume you have been working seriously since 18. That means you have 14 years of work under your belt. Figuring you might work until your 60, another 28 years. means your only 33% through your working life.. wouldn’t you rather spend the other 67% doing something you truly love!! Go for it man!!

PROTOOLNUT wrote:

No Nalurash, you are not too old! And you and I are both the same age my friend, so you diss yourself, you are dissing me. Jk LOL Seriously though, you can do anything you put your mind to. And if your apprentership is successful, I have complete faith in that you will be an amazing electrician. Just remember to kill the power before you touch the white wire. LMAO! You saw what happened to Tim Taylor when he forgot to shut off the power. 😛

Thanks ProToolNut! I’m not dissing our age lol. Just noticed people almost have our age applying for the apprenticeship as well. 

MikeyB wrote:

Never too old bro, I’m 44 and would love to get into Electrical, I love that trade…. If I could afford the pay cut I would do it

Thank you Mikey! In the long run, this would be a pay increase for me and a more satisfying occupation as well. 

comp56 wrote:

nowhere near to old…..go for it….

Thank you Comp56, I really appreciate the support man. You guys are awesome

nordraw wrote:

Too old? is that a joke? I have socks older then that.

Thank you Nordraw! ummmmm…I really think you should throw those sock away though, lol. just playin

ChrisK1970 wrote:

Hey Mikey, I’m 44 too and retire in three and a half and have been toying with that idea! Nalurash never too d by the way!

Thank you very much ChrisK for the support! 

Fazzman wrote:

Never too old man,life is what you make it. Do what you wanna do in life.

Thank you Fazzman

nr777 wrote:

U can do it!

Thanks man!

NERemodeling wrote:

Let’s assume you have been working seriously since 18. That means you have 14 years of work under your belt. Figuring you might work until your 60, another 28 years. means your only 33% through your working life.. wouldn’t you rather spend the other 67% doing something you truly love!! Go for it man!!

That’s a pretty cool way of looking at it. Thanks a bunch

I’m 32 and I see a lot of guys older than me starting new careers.

Most pension plans only require 20 years to be fully vested, so you really have nothing to lose

check out the career of Colonel Sanders 

Nalu u crazy bro to think that’s old man ur still in ur prime right now brotha!!! GO FOR IT!!!

Yup. I turn 45 next month. The way I look at it, I’m the new 25. Problem is my back disagrees.

NaluRash wrote:

Thanks guys. I just went into the IBEW Unions office today and the other guy applying just graduated highschool, lol. I was too much of a party animal/dummy at that age.

 

I do have experience with Electrical, I’ve roughed in a few boxes and circuits. I’m self taught however, I didn’t go the tradesman route. I really enjoy this type of work and I could see myself doing this for a long time. 

Go for it. You will get some of the best training and after a while you get tired working for the man you can go out on your own. I left the utility after 35 years of service and age 55 to go out on my own.

Go for it man plus it get to play with tools all day for you job like come on trades is where its at and yoy got morw life experience then all the other applying so your set

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Dude I’m 32 and am not planning on slowing down anytime soon. You can do whatever you put your mind to. Go for it!

Thanks again for all the support guys, I really appreciate this. Makes me wanna try really hard so that I can give an update. I turned in my application, I’m just waiting for the call now to take the test.

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Funny I too went to the IBEW to apply for their electrical program and you have to take a 5 hour aptitude test lol

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It’s a great decision, everyone I know that did the program loved it. It’s hard work, good pay, good benefits and pride. Age is nothing but a number.

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NaluRash wrote:

Thanks again for all the support guys, I really appreciate this. Makes me wanna try really hard so that I can give an update. I turned in my application, I’m just waiting for the call now to take the test.

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. Good to hear Nalu!! u know we got ur back and we will be here to support u man!

NaluRash wrote:

That’s a pretty cool way of looking at it. Thanks a bunch

As others have said, if you can afford the pay cut jump on it. What way do apprenticeships work in the states. Over here in Ireland it’s 4 years long , but in year 3 and 4 you actually get good money

Turner85 wrote:

As others have said, if you can afford the pay cut jump on it. What way do apprenticeships work in the states. Over here in Ireland it’s 4 years long , but in year 3 and 4 you actually get good money

It’s a 5 year apprenticeship.

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One reason why i got into framing lol is i cant do the school thing hahah just get me on the job and teach me hahah and i suck at test id be out

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I’m in the electrical field and I love it I have bounced around from jobs I even worked for the state of oklahoma but I decided to take thd pay cut and go for it and I love it couldn’t see me doing anything else and yes always turn power off it ain’t worth it I have messed up alot of my tools doing live electrical work it just cost me money in the long run damn src flashes lol

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crone_electric wrote:

I’m in the electrical field and I love it I have bounced around from jobs I even worked for the state of oklahoma but I decided to take thd pay cut and go for it and I love it couldn’t see me doing anything else and yes always turn power off it ain’t worth it I have messed up alot of my tools doing live electrical work it just cost me money in the long run damn src flashes lol

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I’m glad that you love your job. I’ve been really geeking out lately on industrial/commercial/residential electrical work. Been watching a ton of videos about bending conduit, something I’ve never done before. There is so much to learn and I cant wait to learn it. If you or any other electricians have any more advice to share id love to hear it. And yes, i will remember to turn off the power haha

i say go for its never to late to change what your doing! do what you love in this life you know!

NaluRash wrote:

I’m glad that you love your job. I’ve been really geeking out lately on industrial/commercial/residential electrical work. Been watching a ton of videos about bending conduit, something I’ve never done before. There is so much to learn and I cant wait to learn it. If you or any other electricians have any more advice to share id love to hear it. And yes, i will remember to turn off the power haha

I say go for it if you got any questions about the job just ask I’m willing to answer them to my best of ability but I’m sure other electricans would to

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my boss always tells me you don’t know nothing till your 30 that’s when the brain kicks in and you really start to understand life and work. so you have more life experience than that highschool kid in more than just work. you have it in life experience which lately around here is the best way to get the job you want. im 21 (in a week) and ill tell you that I have found a career path for myself however I wont be able to start my own business for another 3 years or so because I know im too naïve to make it a successful sustainable thing. I also do not know enough yet. ive been in the trades for 3 years full time and another year and half part time through highschool co-ops and I can tell you that everything I have learned has never led my astray but I have also forgot to use everything I have learned and its cost time and a hit to my pride.
 
I would never tell someone they are too old to make a positive change. if its what you have a passion for I cant see any reason why you couldn’t do it. some people have a knack for the trade and others struggle but ive seen some shotty work, just take pride and the rest will come.
 

Hey Crew!

 

I’ve been pretty absent from the Forum lately.

Been busy studying up on becoming an Electrician.

 

 

There are four (4) basic thing’s that need to happen:

1. They need to accept my application

2. If my application is accepted, I need to take a test

3. If I pass the test, I will be interviewed

4. If I pass the interview, I can then be indentured into the IBEW 1186 Union

 

My progress so far:

1. They need to accept my application  ACCEPTED!

2. I need to take a test WAITING FOR TESTING DATE

3. If I pass the test, I will be interviewed

4. If I pass the interview, I can then be indentured into the IBEW 1186 Union

 

My testing date will be given sometime next week.

I’ll probably still be absent from the forum until then.

 

Anyway’s thanks crew for all your support. I’m very happy to be a part of the crew. Take care!

best of luck on the test sure you will do great!

Good luck @NaluRash!

GOOD LUCK BRO!!!!!!

To me the trades are more about your desire to learn an the effort you put into the job, not your age.

Go for it man an became the best electrician out there.

Good luck

Thanks crew, you guys are the best. I really appreciate all the support

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Really excited for you man, keep us up to date on your progress. Let us know if there is anything we can help you with too.

Congrats on the new endevor and hope all goes smooth…..

Your never to old until your pushing up daisy’s

Too old to begin the training!…just kidding, good luck, never too old!

I’m a sparky for ibew 134 and there’s an apprentice who’s in his late 40’s And he keeps up! why do you want to be a sparky? Just curious. It not all that fun. If I were you I’d go the 399 route and be a stationery engineer.

Punda1991 wrote:

I’m a sparky for ibew 134 and there’s an apprentice who’s in his late 40’s And he keeps up! why do you want to be a sparky? Just curious. It not all that fun. If I were you I’d go the 399 route and be a stationery engineer.

Aw come on Punda working with you 134 guys is like a party, your not a bunch of stiffs like those 701 dudes! Lol!