4. How to begin
6. What will I be studying/learning?
7. I'm coming from out of state, how will that effect my apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship training is the time-proven
method of systematically producing highly skilled workers. In this state, it is
a voluntary labor and management effort. Apprenticeship is, in simple terms, a
system of training in which a person desiring to learn a specific apprenticeable
occupation is given instruction and experience on the job, as well as school
courses related to such occupation.
This method of training is so important that
it is covered by a statute, which is known as the Washington State
Apprenticeship Act. The Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC)
is a seven-member, policy-making authority that oversees the apprenticeship
training program statewide. There are also two (2) ex-officio members, one (1)
each from the Employment Security Department and the Washington State Workforce
Training and Education Coordinating Board. The Apprenticeship Section is the
administrative arm of the WSATC.
The IEC Apprenticeship and Training (A&T)
Committee is approved by and registered with the WSATC and is composed of an
equal number of representatives from labor and management. The A&T committee
supervises the training of apprentices for all of the specified geographical
area. It has the responsibility of screening and selecting those applicants who
will be indentured as apprentices.
Each committee develops a written
apprenticeship training plan called standards of apprenticeship. These standards
are approved by and registered with the WSATC. Contained in these standards are
the requirements that the apprentice, the employer, and the committee must abide
by, such as:
The
geographical area covered by the standards.
Qualifications
for becoming an apprentice including age, education, and other pertinent
requirements.
Selection
procedure and affirmative action outreach activities.
Ratio
of apprentices to journeyman.
A
statement of the term of apprenticeship--total time to be spent in training.
A
progressively increasing scale of wages, usually starting at 50% of the
journeymans scale and increasing at specific intervals throughout the
term of apprenticeship.
A
listing of the work processes to be performed and the number of hours to be
spent in each category.
A
statement regarding related instruction requirements. The law requires a
minimum of 144 hours per year in classes pertaining to the necessary theory
and basic principals of the trade. These classes are held after work in a
local facility.
A
statement that apprentices are required to work under the supervision of a
journeyman at all times.
Administrative
rules adopted by the committee
To become an apprentice, the first step is to
apply.
Upon acceptance into the program, an applicant
is required to sign an Apprenticeship Agreement, which is then registered by the
committee with the Apprenticeship Section of the Department of Labor and
Industries.
Apprenticeship & Trainee Programs Comparison
Trainees (those who hold a valid Training Card from L&I) can participate in our educational program without being an Apprentice. At any point, a Trainee may apply to the Apprenticeship Program, but will have no advantage over any other applicant.
Apprentice Selection based on interview, and availability of work, Many apply, but only those most qualified are chosen. Strict AA/EEO guidelines are followed.
Trainee Anyone meeting basic educational requirements who is working for an IEC member contractor, or are wiling to pay a non-member fee, can participate.
Apprentice IEC does all it can to keep Apprentices fully employed with IEC Training Agent contractors. IEC can move Apprentices around to provide the variety of experiences needed to complete the program.
Trainee The Trainee is responsible for finding his/her own employment with an IEC member contractor, or pays a non-member fee.
Apprentice Contractors pay a yearly Training Agent Fee and pay monthly tuition with IEC covering the cost when an apprentice is laid off. The Apprentice pays annual registration and book fees.
Trainee The Trainee or his/her employer pays the full tuition in advance, and the employer pays an Administration Fee. The Trainee pays annual registration slightly higher than that paid by an apprentice and book fees.
Apprentice They must be paid a minimum depending on hours of experience, and the result of the IEC Journeyman Wage Survey.
Trainee They are responsible to negotiate their own wage.
Apprentice They are paid a percentage of Prevailing Journeyman Wage as set by L&I or on Federal projects by Federal agencies.
Trainee They must be paid full Prevailing Journeyman Wage
Apprentice They receive a Certificate of Completion from the Washington State Apprenticeship & Training Council as well as one from the IEC of Washington Educational Training Fund.
Trainee They receive a Certificate of Completion from the IEC of Washington Program.
After 8000 hours of on-the-job training on record at L&I, both Apprentices and Trainees may test for their Journeyman Card. Apprentice hours are tracked and documented by the IEC office. Trainee hours are tracked and documented by the Trainee and their employer.
For more information on how apprentice and trainee hours apply in other states or in Washington when coming from other states, please click here.
Electricians are highly trained professionals who earn one of the top hourly wage rates in the construction industry. Training may also be used in manufacturing and industrial settings. Many experienced electricians continue their careers as supervisors, superintendents, or owners of electrical contracting businesses.
Our apprenticeship program is sponsored by the Independent Electrical Contractors of Washington which is a non-profit electrical contractor trade association. Members include over 40 merit shop electrical contractors in the Puget Sound, Peninsula counties, and reaching into Eastern Washington.
Nationally, IEC trains more than 10,000 apprentices annually. The IEC is the largest nationwide association of merit shop electrical contractors and is the second largest trainer of electricians in the United States.
The construction electrician program involves 800 hours of class training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. The residential program includes 330 classroom hours and 4,000 hours on-the-job training. Low energy classroom instruction consists of 495 hours in conjunction with 4800 hours on-the-job training.
Classes start in September and continue through June at sites in Everett, Bellingham, Tacoma, Tri-Cities, and Spokane.
To obtain an application package, please click here and complete the request.
The IEC of Washington will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, religion, national origin, or sex.
Apprenticeship is a great choice for your future!
Today's apprentices are tomorrow's electricians. Apprenticeship provides proven methods of training outstanding professionals. Through class time and on the job training you'll have a chance to learn and practice new skills as you gain the necessary technical knowledge to do your job well.
Electricians who finish their apprenticeship generally earn more during their working years than those who don't apprentice. Advancement of prior-apprentice Journeymen is much faster than those who don't apprentice. It isn't uncommon for a Journeyman who has completed an apprenticeship to become a foreman or supervisor within only a few years.
When you complete your apprenticeship, you'll receive a state-issued certificate valid anywhere in the United States which identifies YOU as a qualified, professional electrician.*
So... how do you become an apprentice?
1. Begin by contacting IEC with any questions you may have.
2. Obtain, complete and submit an application. Download here or Request an application package.
3. Present your birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, high school transcripts, high school diploma or GED and $20.00 application fee and pass the WATB test.
4. IEC will notify you of the next interview date. You will be invited to interview at that time. Be sure to call to make your interview appointment.
5. If selected, you will be referred out to employment with an approved training agent as soon as a position is available.
6. Work hard. Study. And make your future grow bright!
*This certification is different than a Journeyman license.