We in the organized electrical industry have myriad types of people come into our fold. We consider ourselves a pack of strays in many ways due to the disparate backgrounds from which we hail.

There’s something special about apprentices who are able to enjoy even the most demanding or difficult tasks, who do not complain but also take every opportunity to learn more about their trade during those times.

There is nothing more a journeyman can ask of their apprentice than that they learn everything they possibly can during their time in the apprenticeship. To show up early to work every day, to mentally prepare for the day’s job,

Hard work and fortitude are paramount when it comes to being an electrical apprentice. Whether you’re learning your trade from the ground up or have experience and are fine-tuning your abilities through the apprenticeship, no apprentice can afford to rest on their laurels.

Hard work and dedication are not strangers to Local 340 apprentices. Even though we demand the best from our wards we always notice those that continue to strive for perfection and betterment throughout their time as an apprentice.

There is no world in which an apprentice is brought into our program and immediately expected to know everything there is in the mire that is code and terminology in the electrical industry.

When we consider what makes a great apprentice, it tends to carry descriptors like “easy to instruct”, “curious”, “diligent”, and “reliable”. A good apprentice is someone who exudes all these traits and constantly goes above and beyond.

Working as an apprentice can be a tumultuous undertaking. You must admit you don’t know this trade, understand you will have to ask rudimentary questions of people far more skilled than you, and do it all while being as productive as humanly possible to meet sometimes-insane deadlines.

Apprentices are expected to truly hit the ground running. Sometimes it takes a little while for the confidence and experience to manifest, but other times it is clear from the outset that someone is absolutely meant for our trade.

Apprentices must bring their ‘A’ game every day. It’s not easy to wake up, get ready for work and show up every single day, much less getting to work early to make sure you are prepared for the day ahead.

One of the most foundational necessities of being an apprentice is the requirement to show up, ask questions, and continue to improve day in and day out.

Being an apprentice has its own unique challenges. Whether it’s the daunting task of learning a skill you never knew anything about or challenging yourself to be a beacon of positivity no matter how dour the jobsite got, there has always been things making becoming a tradesperson difficult.