As a Sister in the IBEW 120
As a sister in the IBEW local 120, I’ve been given the chance to meet some amazing people and work in a variety of commercial, industrial and residential environments. After 8 years in the local, I continue to learn and grow as a journeyperson. A career as an electrician in the IBEW can provide women the opportunity to earn a great wage, receive an excellent benefit/pension plan and most importantly, work in an environment where health and safety is a priority. If you are willing to get dirty from time to time and are not afraid of a little hard work, this could be the career for you. I am proud to be a sister in the IBEW local 120.
-Mandy Beck.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is it like to work in a predominantly male working environment?
I find guys tend to keep things light by incorporating humour into almost every part of the day. It may require thick skin from time to time but if you have a good sense this really is a great career!
- Why choose the IBEW?
Obviously the wage is greater but that is not the most important reason. The standard in which the IBEW holds its contractors to is far superior to that then in the non-union sector. At the end of the day the most important thing is that you make it home safe. You can’t put a price on that!
- How physical is the Job?
Like any job some days are harder then others. I think it requires a balance of both physical and mental preparedness. There are days that are more physical then others. On those days you my have to lug around spools of wire, carry pipe or pull wire. Other days you may be terminating panels, assembling cable tray, bending pipe. These are just a few examples of the types of jobs you may encounter in a day. I believe the best part of this career is the diversity of the trade. The growth in this field is exponential. You can be licensed for 30 years and still have the opportunity to continue to grow and develop your skills.
- How long is the apprenticeship / schooling?
It is a 9000 hour apprenticeship, which takes about 5 years.
There are three separate intakes of school (Basic,Intermediate,Advanced)
Basic is a 8 week course. While, there is an Intermediate and Advanced course that is a 10 week courses.
- What type of environment do you work in, indoor / outdoor?
Its a mixture of both. Some days you may be in an automotive plant or commercial building. Then next day you may be outside on a solar farm, at the top of a wind turbine or down in a salt mine. That is yet another amazing part of this career. Not only do you get to work with some great people but the locations in which you work are diverse as well.