Electrical Foundations
 

Hey guys, I am thinking of entering the trades field as an electrician and have been browsing these boards and the wait list for the electrical foundations course at BCIT is till the winter of 2014 according to another poster. I just want some input; should I do the foundations course at another school if in fact the waitlist is that long? UFV, Kwantlen, EJTC?
Is the work really backbreaking? any other information would also be appreciated .

I haven't taken any of the foundations courses before because I was fortunate to go straight into an apprenticeship, but the most important question of all is: does it lead to a job? If yes, then good.

Electrical can be lighter work compared to some of the other trades. I know a few people that injured themselves as a framer then decided to change over to electrical because it's easier on the back.

I also did not take any electrical courses prior to getting my apprenticeship and worked out well for me. Our company is one of the bigger comnpanies around so we hire and fire guys all the time. From my personal experiences dealing with apprentices that go the pre-app route its seems like a huge waste of money, course can cost between 6-10 grand and from what I've seen you don't gain much.... Sure it counts as your first year, but unless you've already had your hands in the electrical trade you don't gain much because you have no experience with the things that are taught in school. The majority of the guys we've got from pre-app, seem to think they know everything already, yet have no on job experience, which already puts them at a disadvantage because they "already know" everything and don't want to learn proper techniques. My advise would be find a company that hires no experience guys and give it a shot. Its not for everyone, but if you can hack it, its a great career. As far as physical labour goes, it all depends what type of electrician you are, woodframe residential and service are typically easier on the body, but when you get into commercial and industrial it tends to be more physically demanding. Hope that helps you a bit and good luck.
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Thanks for the replies, any suggestions on companies hiring people with no experience? Any feedback from people who have done a electrical foundations course would also be appreciated.

This mans response is perfect. I really dislike dealing with the people that have come through the pre-app courses. Ive dealt with alot of pre-apps over the years and they don't have the on the job experience needed at all, as well as general construction site experience.

Not to mention alot seem to have the thought that since they have done some schooling they don't have to do the menial work like we all have had to at some point.

I work in a mainly commercial side of things and it can be quite physical. Wood frame is not at all physical but I think is essential for every electrician to at least spend a year doing. I know it helped me alot, and was a great learning experience.

Try to get on as a green guy. I did and its been great since. I know our company is screaming for guys so I imagine alot of other companies are as well.

Get your foot in the door somewhere and work your ass off and youll go far and have a enjoyable job. Where else can you do the most schooling, have a dangerous and physical job and get paid the least?!

I love it!

i am a member of ibew213. i know for a fact that there is no apprentice at the hall right now. there is maybe 5 apprentice in the lower mainland on the list. i would just send in resume at the hall.

I was told about the same wait time for BCIT for winter 2014.. I signed up but emailed them about how I'd like to be called or if there were any spots available earlier.
I was able to secure me a spot for this year Oct 28 semester :D.. (electrical foundations bcit)

I hear a lot of people saying you should just jump into the apprenticeship rather then going into the program.. but I guess its personal preference to a point right? I prefer going to school learning/gaining a bundle of knowledge before i head out into the real world haha.

Hey so I tried getting info from ejtc but I cant apply to the course since I only have math 11 and english 12 but no physics 11. So it looks like I will be applying to bcit in the near future, hopefully I get in to the course in 2013 instead of 2014

Isn't there already a huge waitlist for the foundations program at BCIT?

Electrical Foundations..? You dont need physics 11. I had math 11 but my grade wasnt high enough, so i took the skill test they have. I nailed it easily with 86%.. (did maybe 10minutes of quick review with simple stuff like fractions and algebra)

Also there is a pretty big wait list but considering they have 3-4 start dates every year + 3 campus's... plus students drop out. As long as your flexible & have cash or payment at hand.. you can get in fairly soon.

Worked with one J-Man who was fresh from the union and ALL he knew how to do was pull wire and bend pipe...

Bending pipe is one of the few things I've wanted to learn, but it's not that often that we use it in residential. I can do shitty offsets and things like that but I think it would be enjoyable to do a whole bunch of pipes with nice lines.

I emailed a program advisor for electrician foundation program at bcit and im currently looking at 2 years waiting list...that long?!
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For the guys who didnt go in to electrical foundations and going straight in to an apprenticeship, what was your route to the certification/redseal?
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Don't do foundation.

I'm in a different trade (Mechanical Plumbing) and I just asked around at friends who were plumbers to see who would hire.

I've only been working for 2 months now and I'm already doing water lines and drainage. My boss laughs at the foundation course at BCIT saying its the biggest scam/waste of money.

On that note when I was out of highschool I really wish I went the trades route. It really opens you up to opportunites if you get certified (travel, working in other countries) and if you dislike it at least you can work parttime when returning to school and still bank a few grand a paycheck.

For other trades guys.

What makes a break a company for you? Bad pay? Bad Journeymen?

I felt the same about foundation, i just bought the books and took the ita challenge exam for level 1. Now im trying to get some hours.

my friend recently enrolled. not sure if foundations or apprentice but he was on the waitlist til jan 2015 but then he contacted the advisor and paid a $100 deposit now he's in for july 2014. so if you want to start early, try contacting them and let them know that you'd like a spot right away if it's open.

I am Looking to change fields. How does one find a company that would take you on as a apprentice with no experience? I am guessing you'd have to have a lot of luck?

Call around and ask. Eazy peazy. Hey Matlock this for you bro, nothing major but figured I'd share.