[newkid]

Hey guys, I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I made a post a few months ago introducing myself as an 18 year old union applicant from Chicago looking for an apprenticeship. After that post I took a little vacation and ended up dislocating my thumb and tearing a tendon leaving me in a cast and unable to work. My thumb is now healed and I am back to searching for an apprenticeship. So far, most of the faxes I tried to send to contractors have not gone through. The list of contractors the union office gave me is only from 2011, so I doubt they will have a new one anytime soon.
I was just wondering how long it took you guys to get an apprenticeship, and if you have any tips.
Also, if any of you are union members in the Chicago area, or know anyone, who would be interested in taking on an apprentice let me know.
Thanks guys!

 

[Ole34]

I don't remember you

 

[premierpainter]

I do

 

[Xmark]

I do

yep,i can remember every single word of those 5 posts.:yes:

 

[newkid]

I'm not surprised if no one remembers me, that's why I was reintroducing myself. The point of the post was just to ask how long it took you guys to get an apprenticeship and if you have any tips for a newbie.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

welcome back, good luck.

 

[scottjr]

Welcome back newkid. I remember you.
It's not my area (as I am non union) or area of the country but good luck with your search.

 

[Oden]

Hey guys, I don't know if anyone remembers me, but I made a post a few months ago introducing myself as an 18 year old union applicant from Chicago looking for an apprenticeship. After that post I took a little vacation and ended up dislocating my thumb and tearing a tendon leaving me in a cast and unable to work. My thumb is now healed and I am back to searching for an apprenticeship. So far, most of the faxes I tried to send to contractors have not gone through. The list of contractors the union office gave me is only from 2011, so I doubt they will have a new one anytime soon.
I was just wondering how long it took you guys to get an apprenticeship, and if you have any tips.
Also, if any of you are union members in the Chicago area, or know anyone, who would be interested in taking on an apprentice let me know.
Thanks guys!

Pee or get off of the pot. Go find a job. Tomorrow morning. Shops open at six. Be at the biggest one at twenty of.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

when I pee in usually not on the pot, I'm standing above the pot.

 

[Oden]

when I pee in usually not on the pot, I'm standing above the pot.

OP, this is an owner probable equivilant to who you want to talk too down there. Down there he'll be called the 'street man' Ask for the street man. They call him that cause he runs the street, You want to catch him after he's had his coffee and before he gets aggravated when he's relaxed and slightly approachable like this guy is right now. You got til 6:10-tops.

 

[Ole34]

being Chicago an union cant you just pay somebody for a job?...im serious! few bucks for a job?

 

[Dangharley]

I remember you. I am a journeyman in the Chicago union. If you are really interested in getting in, Alltech decorating in romeoville always hires apprentices. They love the new guys!! You should google their number. Did you sign up with district council 14 or 30 ?

 

[newkid]

Oden, sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about:confused1:

Dangharley, Thanks! I signed up with DC 14. What about you?

 

[Dangharley]

Oden, sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about:confused1:

Dangharley, Thanks! I signed up with DC 14. What about you?

I am also in dc 14. Also try ascher brothers. Those r the big guys in Chicago.

 

[newkid]

Yeah, I came across Ascher Brothers yesterday, so I wrote a letter to fax. *crossing fingers*
Did it take you a while to find a company to apprentice with?

 

[Dangharley]

Yeah, I came across Ascher Brothers yesterday, so I wrote a letter to fax. *crossing fingers*
Did it take you a while to find a company to apprentice with?

Maybe a couple months. That was a few years ago though. Your best bet is to actually go to ascher and fill out application, as with most of the shops out there.

 

[Oden]

being Chicago an union cant you just pay somebody for a job?...im serious! few bucks for a job?

But he will pay them. He's cheap labor. Best guess is he's only gonna be getting bout $17 or $18 bucks an hour to start. big shops love having guys making that low rate to pick up trash, putty and sand, haul paint up steps and such. Their mechanics, best guess, are getting $36 or $37 bucks per hr.
High volume shops will take as many of them guys as they can get their paws on.

 

[paint_booger]

I'm not surprised if no one remembers me, that's why I was reintroducing myself. The point of the post was just to ask how long it took you guys to get an apprenticeship and if you have any tips for a newbie.

I remember you. I think you will do well if you read every post at this site ... Always be book smart as well as street smart. Also, take ALL of the free safety classes at the school. Make sure you have your OSHA 30 ... 10 isn't enough these days. Get your scaffolding, boom, and scissor certifications. I was DC14-180 for 20 years. I transferred to DC15 Las Vegas. (Loving the weather, and painting the casino.)

The best advice I have for you as a dc14 painter >>> transfer to the smallest local, go to every meeting, talk to the BAs a lot, and help at every voluntary function. The BAs will place you if you become "one of their guys". A local the size of 147 has sooooo many people that you will never get the BA to remember your name. Good luck kid!

 

[paint_booger]

... Also, go to the headquarters on Adams St and ask for an updated list. That's BS that your rep gives out his 2 year old lists! You can get up to the month fresh ones on Adams.

 

[newkid]

Thanks! I'll probably stop by and pick up a list today, but what do you do when you've called everyone within reasonable distance, and no one is hiring. The best response I've gotten was to call at the end of the month, and that company is pretty much my last hope to start a career as a painter.