IBEW Apprenticeship Program: How to Join the Union, Step by Step

The Electrical Training Alliance (ETA) is a collaboration between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the electricians' union, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the contractor organization (The ETA, formerly known as the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC), was rebranded in 2014; both names refer to the same organization

The ETA is an apprenticeship program jointly created by the IBEW and NECA to offer aspiring electricians a thorough training experience.

As an ETA participant, you become an IBEW member and work for a NECA contractor. So, when you enroll in an IBEW apprenticeship program (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprenticeship), you are actually joining the Electrical Training Alliance.

The apprenticeship typically spans 3-5 years to achieve journeyman electrician status. In the IBEW union apprenticeship, you begin earning and learning right away.

The curriculum can change between states and cities depending on each regulation and safety practice. However, all the IBEW apprentice programs combine classroom instruction with on-the-job experience, offering full-time job exposure alongside classroom learning.

This includes electrical codes, interpreting technical blueprints and diagrams, installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring and equipment, communications, soldering, elevators, and fire alarms.

Every local Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) or Area Wide Joint Apprenticeship Program (AJATC) within the IBEW and NECA may have unique requirements specific to their region.

However, there are standard prerequisites for individuals seeking admission to these programs:

• Minimum age 18
• High School diploma or GED
• One Year of High School Algebra
• Qualifying Score on the IBEW Aptitude Test
• Pass a drug test

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprenticeship program provides various apprenticeship programs to those wanting to become electricians to meet the industry's diverse needs. Each program specializes in a particular area, giving you the opportunity to select the path that best suits your career objectives and passions.

Journeymen Inside Wiremen are essential in constructing landmarks, arenas, office buildings, retail stores, malls, airports, and various commercial and industrial facilities across the state.

The Journeymen Inside Wiremen apprenticeship provides extensive hands-on experience and technical classroom instruction to prepare for a broad range of electrical work in construction. In addition to on-the-job training, you will need to complete online homework lessons and attend classes at an Electrical Industry Training Center designated by the local training center.

Throughout the 5-years apprenticeship, you will be employed by a signatory contractor involved in electrical construction. As an apprentice, you will receive a percentage of the journeyman wage rate and periodic wage increases as you meet program requirements.

Voice-data-video technicians, also called Low-Voltage or data technicians, play a vital role in ensuring the smooth and secure functioning of the technology we depend on.

Throughout the 3-years apprenticeship, you will focus on installing, maintaining, and repairing low-voltage systems. These systems encompass fire alarms, security systems, internet and networking infrastructure, and audiovisual equipment.

Linemen are courageous professionals who handle high-voltage electrical systems, managing the transmission and distribution of electricity from power plants to residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Throughout the 3-year apprenticeship, you will focus on installing, maintaining, and repairing overhead and underground power lines, transformers, and other electrical equipment.

Outside lineman apprenticeships are run by separate line JATCs, which often cover a whole region rather than a single city. Their application process is different from inside programs: many require a commercial driver's license and a climbing or physical assessment, and some use a different aptitude test. Check the requirements of the line JATC in your region before you apply.

Residential wiremen install and maintain electrical systems in single-family homes, townhouses and apartment buildings. Not every local offers this program, so check with your local JATC.

Applying for an IBEW apprenticeship takes five steps. Requirements and timelines vary by local, so always follow your local JATC's instructions.

After you apply for an IBEW apprenticeship program and meet the initial prerequisites, the next step is to take the IBEW Aptitude Test. The test is administered by the ETA in collaboration with the IBEW.

This timed multiple-choice evaluates your foundational knowledge in mathematics and reading comprehension. It consists of two sections: Algebra and Functions and Reading Comprehension, both crucial skills for a successful electrician. To move on to the next stage, the IBEW interview, you need to achieve a passing score of 4 out of 9.

Learn more about the IBEW test

After passing the IBEW Aptitude Test, the next stage in the apprenticeship process is the interview, which is crucial for assessing your suitability for the apprenticeship program and the electrical trade.

The IBEW apprenticeship interview usually involves a panel of 4-8 representatives from both the IBEW and the NECA. They will ask questions about your work experience, personal life, and situational scenarios to gauge your problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and commitment to the trade.

The IBEW apprenticeship interview questions will be in the same style as the following questions –

• Why are you interested in joining the IBEW and becoming an electrical worker rather than pursuing another trade?
• Describe the most challenging project you've completed independently. What obstacles did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
• Can you tell us about a time when you had an important deadline, but something more urgent came up, and you couldn't meet it? How did you deal with it?

After you complete the IBEW Aptitude Test and the apprenticeship interview, your scores will be combined to determine your overall ranking. This ranking is a crucial factor in the selection process, as the apprenticeship program hires candidates based on their position on the waiting list.

The IBEW apprenticeship ranking system is dynamic, meaning your place on the waiting list can change over time as new applicants join. If an applicant scores higher than you, they may be ranked above you, even if you've passed the aptitude test and did well in the interview.

This can result in an indefinite wait time for some candidates if their ranking isn't high enough to secure a spot in the program. Due to the competitive nature of the ranking system, it's essential to prepare thoroughly for both the aptitude test and the interview. By achieving high scores in both assessments, you'll have a better chance of obtaining a higher ranking, increasing your chances of being selected for the IBEW apprenticeship program.

Aside from these questions, it's important to learn about the IBEW apprenticeship programs and consider your own experiences and skills. This will help you give thoughtful and complete answers during the interview.

IBEW apprentices are paid from their first day on the job. You start at a percentage of your local's journeyman wage rate, usually 40–45%, and get a raise roughly every six months as you complete your on-the-job hours and classes. Most programs also include medical benefits and pension contributions.

Electrician and Lineman Pay

The BLS figures cover all electricians and line workers, union and nonunion. IBEW wage rates are set by each local's agreement with NECA contractors, so pay varies widely by city. Your local JATC can give you the current wage scale for apprentices and journeymen.

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• Ultimate IBEW Aptitude Test Study Guide
• IBEW Free Practice Test
• Becoming an Electrician