BLUEPRINT
FORAPPRENTICESHIP

idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org
Our mission is to educate the members of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical
Contractors Association; ensuring and providing theElectrical Construction Industry with the mosthighly trained and highly skilled workforce possible.

BUILDING
YOUR
FUTUREThe Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC
apprenticeship is an “earn while youlearn” program. It is the approved training
facility for the International Brotherhoodof Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 291,
National Electrical Contractors Association(NECA) and is the largest apprenticeshipprogram federally registered with
the Department of Labor in thestate of Idaho.

IDAHOELECTRICALAPPRENTICESHIP.ORG

Some of the major duties for an Inside Wireman include:
Apprentices who are
selected to join theprogram do not incur
tuition fees associatedwith traditional collegesor other trade relatedprograms. However,apprentices do have to
pay annually for books,
transportation, dues,
work attire and tools
as required bytheir collective
bargainingagreement.

Planning and initiating projects
Establishing temporary power during construction
Establishing grounding systems
Installing electrical service to buildings and other structures
Establishing power distribution within a project
Planning and installing raceway systems
Installing new wiring and repairing old wiring

Applicants who are offered an apprenticeship with ourJATC can expect:

Job placement with one of our union electrical contractors
Payment for hours worked
Employer paid benefits: 401k/annuity, health insurance,		 personal care account and pension plan
Reporting of on-the-job-training hours to the state of Idaho
To attend classes at the JATC at least one evening per week
Weekly homework and exams at the end of each topic
Raises upon completion of annual courses
Monthly reporting of work hours to the JATC
To abide by all JATC policies
To sign a ten-year indenture agreement
To make-up any missed class time
10,000 on-the-job-training hours and 900 related class-room 					 training hours
Advancement to a Journey-level electrician upon successful		 program completion and state testingTHE APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION PROCESSThe selection process begins with the application. Applicants
can apply online for $ 30.00 (American Express is not accepted)
at idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org. For applicants who would
rather pay by check or money order, paper applications can beobtained year-round at the JATC office. The JATC does not
accept cash.
Applicants have thirty (30) days to complete the application
once purchased. This allows enough time to obtain the official
documentation needed to qualify for the application if anadditional math class is not needed.
The earliest any applicant may be selected is approximately
three (3) months. Applicants who meet the minimum
requirements will be notified of their aptitude testing date via
U.S. mail, within thirty (30) days completing the application.
All applicants will be required to complete an online aptitude
test consisting of mathematical equations and reading
comprehension. This testing is done at the JATC training
center and lasts approximately 3 hours. The JATC will notify
applicants of their test date and time.
Applicants who pass the aptitude test will move on to thein-person interview with the Joint Apprenticeship Training
Committee (JATC). Committee members represent the IBEWand NECA. The interview occurs approximately thirty (30)days after testing. Applicants will receive a letter via U.S. mailnotifying them of their interview date and time.
Applicants will be scored by each committee member. All scores
are then averaged into a single score and applicants are placedon a ranking list. Applicants will stay on the ranking list for one (1)year. If not selected prior to one (1) year, the application process
will need to be re-initiated.
APPLICATIONS EXPIRE ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE ISSUE DATE
As apprentices are needed, those with the highest ranking
score are offered an apprenticeship.

TESTING RESOURCES AND PRACTICE
A sample of the aptitude test can be found on theElectrical Training Alliance (National JATC) website:
electricaltrainingalliance.org/SamplePage
Test preparation and practice links for math and reading
comprehension, as well as additional resources, can befound at idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org/resources

LEARN MORE ATIDAHOELECTRICALAPPRENTICESHIP.ORG

MINIMUM APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS
Be 18 years of age or older
Have a valid drivers license
High school graduate or G.E.D.
Completed a full year of algebra
Provide official documentation- Official, sealed H.S. transcripts- Official G.E.D.
- Proof of Algebra 1 requirement		 - Copy of drivers license- Copy of DD214 (military service)
Applicants who are unable to provide 		
proof of the algebra requirement can 		take our approved online math course 		for a fee. Once completed, applicants
will provide a copy of the certificate
issued by the online program to satisfy
the requirement.
The algebra requirement can also be 		waived if the applicant has 2,000 onthe-job-training hours recorded with 		the state in the electrical industry.
Non-English diplomas and/or transcripts
must be translated and notarized with 		
notary seal.

DOES EXPERIENCE MATTER?

Apprentices are entry-level electricians, but many of those selected for the program do havesome experience in the industry. There are steps applicants can take to gain experience and/orfind out if the electrical trade is one they are well suited for and will enjoy as a lifelong career.
THE CONSTRUCTION WIREMAN PROGRAM
The Construction Wireman (CW) program is a pre-apprenticeship program, and an effectivemeans of getting industry experience. Many of the apprentices selected for the program started
as construction wiremen. The CW program differs from the apprenticeship in several ways:
There are no minimum requirements
It is not federally registered with the Department of Labor
CW’s do not attend apprentice classes
There is no fee for the application
CW’s are not placed in jobs
CW’s don’t receive the same benefit package as apprentices
Becoming a CW can be a vital step towards an apprenticeship:

HOW TO BECOME A CW
Complete the CW Application
Actively apply for CW positions with		 contractors on the JATC list
Notify the JATC of employment
Receive a training order form the		JATC
Report to Local 291 for approval
Obtain an “Apprentice License” as		 required by the State of Idaho via		 the Division of Building and Safety

CW’s are necessary and needed in the industry
CW’s do much of the same work as beginning apprentices
The JATC helps to keep track and report hours worked to 				 the state of Idaho		 *Apprentices and CWs must have license
CW’s gain valuable experience on-the-job		 prior to employment.
They can improve their overall interview score
Report to work
They often earn a wage comparable to a 1st year apprentice
Report on-the-job training hours toBuilds relationships with apprentices, journeymen and		 the JATC monthly		contractors
They earn a wage while applying for the apprenticeship
They receive employer paid health care for themselves after the waiting period
They can re-interview with the committee once they have worked 500 hours
Shows dedication to the goal of acquiring an apprenticeship

HOW MUCH DOES AN APPRENTICE MAKE PER HOUR?

Apprentices start at 49% of a journeyman wage. As apprentices complete years of schooling andon-the-job-training hours, they receive wage advancements.
% OF JOURNEYMAN RATEMINIMUM OJT HOURSWAGESEMPLOYER PAID BENEFITSTOTAL

1st Term 49%

0-1000$16+/hr$8+/hr$24+/hr

2nd Term 54%

1001-2000

3rd Term 59%

2001-3500$19+/hr$11+/hr$31+/hr

4th Term 64%

3501-5000

5th Term 74%

5001-6500

6th Term 84%

6501-8000$17+/hr$8+/hr$26+/hr$20+/hr$12+/hr$33+/hr$27+/hr$13+/hr$41+/hr$24+/hr$12+/hr$37+/hrApproximate sample wages and benefits based on journeyman rate of $32.71 per hr. as of January 1, 2021. Wages and benefitschange frequently, visit idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org for current wages and benefits.

MAPPING IT OUT
APPRENTICESHIP
Purchase Application Online or Paper $30.00
Complete Application in 30 days to include		 all documentation
Take aptitude test on scheduled day(letter sent U.S. Mail)
Interview on scheduled date (if aptitude
test is passed)
Receive score letter and placed on ranking list
(up to 1 year)
If selected, report for orientation and sign		documents
Receive Training Order, report to the union
hall (local 291) at 9am
Report to the Division of Building and Safety		 for apprentice license
Report to contractor for workBegin classes in July or January, purchasebooks (approx $800.00)
Report Hours to JATC monthly, complete
homework, tests etc.

CW PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
Fill out CW Application in Person (free)
Receive list of union electrical contractors		 and contacts
Actively seek work with any of the		 contractors on the list
If hired, fill out employment paperwork		 with contractor
Return to the JATC for a Training Order
Take Training Order to the union hall(local 291) between 9am — 10am
Report to the Division of Building and		 Safety for apprentice license
Report to contractor for work.
Report monthly work hours to the JATC
After working 450 hours, request
re-interview form (if not selected)

TIPS
DO get your documents in order
DON’T leave information off your application
DO take the approved math class if you don’t		 meet the requirement
DO contact the JATC if you move to update		address
DO STUDY for your aptitude test
DO PRACTICE your interviewing skills
DO APPLY for the CW program at the same		 time to help gain experience prior to your		interview
DON’T quit your current job unless anapprenticeship has been offered to you
DON’T get discouraged. It’s a long process
DO apply for the CW program if applying for		 the apprenticeship program
DO visit the contractors in person if able
DO contact all the larger contractors to		 better your odds of getting hired
DO ask questions! We are happy to help!

A NOTE TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIESWe recognize and comply with our obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to notdiscriminate against qualified persons with disabilities.
If you are a person with a physical or mental impairment (including learning disabilities) thatyou believe may affect your ability to complete any aspect of the application process (includingtesting) and if you need an accommodation to ensure that the test battery accurately measures
your skills and abilities, please notify the JATC, as soon as possible, and not later than uponreceipt of notification that you are scheduled to take the NJATC test battery. Accommodations
requests given on the test day cannot be addressed on that day. In most cases you will need toprovide:Documentation of your disability
Documentation of the need for a particular accommodation
Your request will be considered promptly.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship,
shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or age—withthe exception that applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply and at the time of indenture.
The JATC does not, and will not, discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability
because of the disability of such individual.
The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will
operate the apprenticeship program as required under applicable law and lawful regulations
issued thereunder.
Applicants who meet all basic requirements will be interviewed by the JATC. Apprentices will beselected in order of their final ranking.
APPRENTICE APPLICANT APPEALS PROCESS
If you feel you have been unjustly treated with regards toselection for our apprenticeship program, you may appeal
the committee’s decision.
Any appeal must be filed in writing within 30 days of the dateof notification to the applicant regarding the JATC’s decision
concerning application for apprenticeship.
Please send appeals in writing to:

IBEW Local 291							225 N. 16th St. Suite 110						Boise, Idaho 83702-5187

You have questions.
We have answers.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page at

IDAHOELECTRICALAPPRENTICESHIP.ORG/FAQCONTACTUS

Debbie Draper, Office Manager
office@idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org
Heidi Lema, Administrative Assistant/Admissions
heidi@idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org

idahoelectricalapprenticeship.org

12302 W. Explorer Drive, Suite 130, Boise, Idaho 83713(208) 384-0538