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How to Approach Electrical Contractors as a New Apprentice: Door, Phone and Email Scripts

Short answer: Many Texas IEC and ABC programs expect you to work for a contractor before you start class, so your first job search matters. Keep every contact short and polite: say who you are, show you hold your apprentice license, ask if they take new apprentices and leave a one-page resume. If they say no, thank them and ask who might.

By Engineer Tsai. Built from what Texas apprenticeship programs publish about getting hired, plus TDLR’s license search; every source below shows the date we read it. Last reviewed October 3, 2026.

Part of Texas Electrician Exams: every Texas license step and exam in one place.

On this page

Free to read and print. Keep a log so you follow up once and stay remembered for the right reasons.

Why you may need a contractor first

IEC Dallas apprentices work full time for a contractor and pay tuition through their employer. CenTex IEC says you must be employed by a member contractor. ABC South Texas says you must find a sponsor employer to start school. IEC Greater San Antonio has you complete your work hours with an IEC contractor member (IEC Dallas, CenTex IEC, ABC South Texas, IEC Greater San Antonio).

Union programs work differently. The JATC places you with a contractor after you are accepted, so you apply to the JATC, not to contractors (Houston Electrical JATC FAQ).

Where to find contractors to approach

  • Chapter member lists. IEC Dallas links to the national IEC membership directory, and Lubbock Chapter IEC posts its contractor member list. The Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend gives its apprentices a list of employer sponsors (IEC Dallas, Lubbock Chapter IEC, Craft Training Center).
  • Ask the chapter. IEC Fort Worth says it may refer qualified applicants to members looking for apprentices, and CenTex IEC has an employment application service (IEC Fort Worth, CenTex IEC).
  • Check the license. Before you visit, look the company up on the TDLR License Search to confirm it is a licensed electrical contractor.
  • Use the program list. Our list of all 68 TDLR-registered programs shows which chapters and colleges are near you.

A company on a member list may or may not be hiring today. Your job is to ask, politely, once.

Before you go

  • Apprentice license number written down (or proof you applied)
  • Five printed copies of your one-page resume
  • Clean work clothes and boots
  • A pen and your contact log
  • Your phone charged, with a short, professional voicemail greeting

Door script (about 30 seconds)

Ask for the office manager or the person who hires field staff.

You: "Hi, my name is [Name]. I hold a Texas apprentice electrician license, and I am looking for my first apprentice job. I live in [area] and I have reliable transportation. Are you taking on new apprentices or helpers right now?"

If yes: "Great. Here is my resume. What is the best way to apply, and who should I follow up with?"

If no: "Thank you for telling me. Could I leave my resume in case that changes? And do you know anyone who is taking on apprentices?"

Then leave, unless they invite you to stay.

Phone script

Call mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday.

You: "Hi, my name is [Name]. I have my Texas apprentice electrician license, and I am looking for an apprentice or helper position. Who would be the right person to talk to about that?"

When you reach that person: "I am changing careers from [your field], where I [one line, for example: opened the store every day for two years]. Are you taking on apprentices? If so, how should I apply?"

If no: "I understand. Thank you for your time. May I email my resume in case something opens up?"

Write down the name, the date and what they said.

Email template

Subject: Licensed apprentice electrician looking for first position, [City]

Hello [Name, or "Hiring Manager"],

My name is [Name]. I hold Texas apprentice electrician license #[number],
and I am looking for an apprentice or helper position with [Company].

I am changing careers from [field]. In that work I [one line with a number,
for example: kept a 12-person office on schedule for three years].
I have reliable transportation, I pass drug screens, and I am ready to
start [date].

My resume is attached. If you are taking on apprentices, I would be glad
to come in at a time that works for you. If not, thank you for reading,
and I would welcome the name of anyone you know who is.

[Name]
[Phone] | [Email]

Send it to an address the company posts for jobs or general contact. Send it once.

Your contact log

DateCompanyPersonHow (door, phone, email)What they saidFollow up on

Simple manners that get remembered

  • One follow-up, about a week later. After that, wait for them to reach out.
  • Call or email a business, and text only if they asked you to.
  • Thank everyone, including the people who say no. Trades are small, and people talk.
  • Be early to anything they invite you to.
  • Tell the truth about what you know and what you are still learning.

Next step on the Texas ladder

FAQ

How do I get an apprentice electrician job in Texas with no experience?

Get your $20 TDLR apprentice license first, then contact licensed electrical contractors in person, by phone or by email with a one-page resume. Union JATCs are the exception: you apply to the JATC, and it places you with a contractor after you are accepted.

Do I need a job before I can join an IEC or ABC apprenticeship?

Usually. CenTex IEC says you must be employed by a member contractor, and ABC South Texas says you must find a sponsor employer to start school. IEC Fort Worth may refer qualified applicants to members looking for apprentices.

How can I check that a contractor is licensed in Texas?

Search the company or the Master Electrician on the TDLR License Search before you visit.

How often should I follow up with a contractor?

Once, about a week after your first contact. After that, wait for them to reach out.

What should I bring when I walk into an electrical contractor’s office?

Your apprentice license number, five printed copies of a one-page resume, clean work clothes and boots, a pen and your contact log.

Sources

About Engineer Tsai

Engineer Tsai holds Taiwan’s national Class B Indoor Wiring Technician certificate and has run electrical and construction work on site at major builds: MEP engineer on a smart temperature-controlled logistics center at Taipei Port, and site engineer on the second-phase campus of Jiufenzi Junior and Elementary School in Tainan and on the Liugui Administrative Center in Kaohsiung, honored at the 25th Public Construction Golden Quality Awards. On his YouTube channel @tsai.electro, he teaches people breaking into the electrical trade.

He writes these Texas guides from the official TDLR pages and the PSI candidate bulletin, cites NEC articles by number only, and dates every source. Found an error? Tell us and we will correct it.

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