Looking for some insight on electrical apprenticeship options
Just looking for a bit of advice here. I'm just wrapping up a college program for electrical eng tech, and recently accepted an apprenticeship offer from a company. I haven't signed any apprenticeship documents yet.
The thing is the company seems a little weird. They spoke to me on the phone for only ten minutes, then 4 days later offered me the apprenticeship, no other interviews. The pay is low for an apprentice, but I accepted because it was the only offer I had at the time. When they sent me the employment contract the intro email wasn't even filled out right. Think stuff like "Hello, incorrect name. We're offering you the role of [position name]"
I'm not kidding when I say they forgot to fill in the actual job title, they left [position name] in place. My actual employment contract was filled in with the proper name and role. Just seems pretty unprofessional.
My scheduled start date isn't for a couple of weeks with them. Now on the other hand, just this week my application with CUSW was accepted, and I'm being put on the pre-select list for the electrical apprenticeship program.
I don't know how long it will take until I can actually start working and earning apprentice hours with CUSW, but they did tell me if I sign as an apprentice with another organization before them it'll be a longer process to switch my apprenticeship to CUSW.
Furthermore, I'm wondering if it's worth it to hold out even a little longer for my IBEW local to finalize their intake. I was emailing with a local IBEW guy a week ago who said they're looking to make contact with the people chosen from their most recent intake in early - mid May. I have no clue if I'll be contacted, but I applied and my resume is solid so there might be chance.
Can anyone here breakdown IBEW vs CUSW opportunities, or pros and cons of either union?
If I start an apprenticeship with CUSW will IBEW turn me away? I understand that IBEW pays their guys a higher wage, but CUSW is positioned well with OPG and Hydro One for permanent roles within those groups.
The downside to CUSW is a lower wage/no fixed rates for apprentices/journey persons. And I'm kind of far from all the OPG and Hydro One sites, so CUSW means I'm travelling very frequently.
As for the apprenticeship I was offered, is it a better idea to turn it down and wait it out a bit longer? I'm worried they seem rushed and disorganized, and they might be a nightmare to work with. It might even hurt my future union opportunities to sign an apprenticeship agreement with them by making things complicated.
Any insight here would be appreciated.