Not get at all, GO FOR IT! (In Ontario-353) If you're going to give'r a go non-union and want your hours to count, in the event you decide to go union while still an apprentice, make sure you get registered with the Ministry of Labour. Otherwise it's all for not, besides the valuable experience. The Union works with the electrical Alliance (formally the Joint Apprenticeship Council) to ensure your hours are registered and reflect your pay and progress. Going the non-union route you're responsible for keeping track of your own hours while finding a company or employer to see you all the way through and deciding on your hourly rate. I started non-union but managed to get into the 353 and never looked back. There are great non-union employers and opportunities and the union is anything but peaches and cream but the bottom line is the money and benefits can't be beat going union. Good luck buddy!