Some context first because it matters. I'm in the electrical program at the Mercer County vo-tech, I've been doing weekend helper stuff for a guy in Hamilton since June (mostly carrying, some pulling wire), and my shop teacher brings up the IBEW application basically every class. Like every single class. He hands out the flyer, he talks about the pension, he tells us non-union is a dead end.
The guy I work weekends for is non-union and he's doing fine. Owns two vans, takes his family to Wildwood every August.
So who's right? I'm not against the union. I just don't like being told there's one answer when I can see with my own eyes there's at least two.
Foreman, Inside Wireman (IBEW) · 19 years · Morris County, NJ
Mentor✓ Accepted answer
Your teacher has probably watched what the apprenticeship did for students before you, and that's a fair reason to push it. Structured school, a wage scale that steps up on a schedule, benefits, safety training built in. Those are real.
"Dead end" is too strong, though. Plenty of non-union electricians do well, and your weekend guy is proof. The honest version: the union path is a known path, and a good non-union shop can also be a good path. Apply, keep working weekends, and decide with real offers in front of you. Stay safe.
Master Plumber, second-generation shop owner · 23 years · Hudson County, NJ
Mentor
I left the union and I half regret it, so take that for what it is. What I miss most is the training. What I don't miss is sitting by the phone between jobs some years. My father used to say every road has tolls, you just have to know which ones you're paying.
Mechanical contractor (HVAC + plumbing) · 24 years · Burlington County, NJ
Mentor
Here's what I look for when I hire a kid out of vo-tech: shows up, has some hours, can pass a background check. Whether he applied to the union doesn't come into it. If you end up non-union, ask about school and how raises work before you take the job.
Electrical Contractor · 22 years · Monmouth County, NJ
Mentor
Honestly I'm the non-union guy your teacher is warning you about. Own my shop in Long Branch, went to trade school, did fine. But I'll admit the union guys my age have a pension I don't. Both things are true. Don't let either side tell you the other one's a scam.
> Don't let either side tell you the other one's a scam
Fair. I didn't mean my teacher's scamming anybody. It's the "dead end" thing that gets me, because my weekend guy clearly isn't one.
4th-year apprentice, IBEW · 4 years · Bergen County, NJ
4th year in 164... your teacher isn't wrong and neither is your weekend guy. my foreman says some of the best apprentices he gets came from shops like that... apply and keep the weekend job