The Benefits of Electrical Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship isn’t the only way to become an electrician—trade schools, community colleges and starting as an electrician’s assistant are other options. But the combination of paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction provides apprentices with the experience to become licensed electricians and enjoy a successful career.

The goal of all apprenticeship programs is to provide aspiring electricians the skills and knowledge to become licensed journeymen electricians in their state, which means passing an exam that tests knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code and local electric and building codes.

Apprenticeship training generally lasts 3 to 5 years, and most programs require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over the course of the program. Classes are generally at night or one day a week for 6 to 8 hours during a day off and include blueprint reading, electrical theory, math calculations, electrical code requirements and safety regulations.

Application process
Application requirements may vary slightly by program and location, but here are some that are common:

1. Applicant must have high school diploma or GED—transcript sometimes requested.
2. Must be 18 years of age.
3. Must have taken and passed a high school algebra class.
4. Must have reliable transportation.

If an applicant meets all of these initial requirements, most programs then require potential apprentices to pass a reading and math comprehension exam followed by an in-person interview. Employers or committees evaluating apprentices want to see that applicants have the mental capacity to handle the challenges that regularly occur in various professional scenarios, says Fred Humphreys, president and CEO of HBI, which has its own pre-apprenticeship program.

“Electricians, in particular, are held to a higher standard because of the nature of the work,” he says. “Employers want to hire bright, articulate apprentices because their students will have to go to customers’ homes and speak professionally with them about the job.”

Although previous knowledge of electrical work is not required to apply for an apprenticeship program, Matt Baron, an apprentice with the Central Florida JATC program, advises refreshing basic algebra skills before applying. Also, taking electrical classes in high school or reading books on electrical construction and maintenance from a local library are a good way to prepare. The NJATC even has an online Tech Math course where you can enroll or sample test questions from past application exams to help you prepare.

Succeeding in an apprenticeship program
All time in the field as an apprentice is spent working with, and being trained by, a journeyman electrician, so making the most out of this relationship is beneficial.

“Trying to think a couple steps ahead usually helps out a lot,” says Baron. “If you know what’s going to be needed down the line, having that tool ready always helps because it shows that you’re thinking ahead.”

Paying attention in the classroom and applying what you learn to the job site is important. “Definitely understanding how the physics work and knowing all the electrical basics of the things you’re working with helps you troubleshoot and make calculations quickly,” says Patrick Honegger, former apprentice and now owner of Green Force Electric in Parker, Colo. “And overall, this will make you more efficient in the field.”

Quality performance in the field and comprehension of classroom material will earn you pay raises and more responsibility on the job site. Apprentices start off making $10 to $12 an hour and are more of a helper in the beginning—drilling holes, pulling wires, installing conduits and doing other simple labor work, says Honegger. But responsibility can increase quickly with enthusiasm and competency.

“Toward the end of the third year, I was running my own jobs,” says Honegger. “I got small jobs or small projects assigned to me and I had to deal with customers, order materials and do the work. By the fourth year I was almost handled as a journeyman.”

Performing well also can pay dividends after your apprenticeship is over. Many companies hire former apprentices if they are expanding and looking for journeymen. Also, most organizations that run apprenticeship programs work hard to find their apprentices jobs in their local area after training is complete and some programs even guarantee job placement.

Baron says the process sometimes feels like it’s never going to end—and he still hasn’t gotten used to the occasional graveyard shift—but overall has had a positive experience with his apprenticeship so far. “To anyone considering becoming an apprentice, I would say definitely do it,” he says. “It’s going to be a tough process, but it will come full circle and it will be worth it in the long run.”