From Trader Joe’s to Trades: Why It’s Never Too Late to Start Over with Brandon McKane
With Brandon McKane · Electrical apprentice
Hosted by Andrew Brown · November 4, 2025
Electrician apprenticeship, union vs non-union electricians, and the career change to trades — a story for anyone wondering if it’s too late to start over.
Electrician apprenticeship, union vs non-union electricians, and the career change to trades — a story for anyone wondering if it’s too late to start over. Host Andrew Brown sits down with Brandon McKane, a former Trader Joe’s manager who walked away from corporate life at 36 to begin an electrician apprenticeship and rebuild his life in the skilled trades industry.
With over 80,000 electricians needed every year through 2030, Brandon’s journey offers a real-world look at why so many people are leaving their desks behind for hands-on work — and how a career change to trades can bring purpose, stability, and pride. They talk about the emotional and financial leap of starting over, the reality of apprentice pay, what it’s like to explain the shift to your family, and how the right mentors can change everything.
Brandon also shares the unfiltered truth about the union vs non-union electrician experience, and what it takes to go from shop helper to journeyman.
Key Takeaways.
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Why America needs 80,000 electricians a year — and where that demand is coming from How Brandon left a 15-year corporate career to start over at 36 The truth about apprentice pay vs. long-term earnings Union vs non-union electricians: what he learned on both sides How tradespeople often earn more than many white-collar careers The mindset shift: finding purpose, progress, and pride in hands-on work Why mentorship and the right foreman can change your life How the trades can become more welcoming to everyone Why it’s never too late for a career change to trades
Meet Brandon McKane.
Brandon McKane is a non-union apprentice electrician at Sunlight & Power (Berkeley, CA). After 15+ years in retail management, he made a career change to trades, attends night classes, and works on prevailing-wage solar projects.
He’s passionate about safety, mentorship, craftsmanship, and helping others navigate how to become an electrician through the electrician apprenticeship route—union or non-union.
