An apprenticeship is the pathway to a rewarding career in the electrical trade. As an apprentice, you take classes and learn your trade by working under the direction of experienced professionals – and get paid while you do it. It takes approximately five years to complete an apprenticeship. Once you complete the apprenticeship requirements, you can challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam. A successful completion of this exam ensures your status as a certified electrical journeyperson for life.

Do you have good communication and reading skills? Are you in good shape and like to work with your hands? Do you enjoy using tools, figuring out plans and solving problems? If you answer yes to these questions then a career as an Electrician could be right for you. 

Electricians prepare, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, control devises, fixtures and related equipment in all types of buildings. 

The Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Electrical Apprenticeship is a 9,000-hour program that typically takes approximately five (5) years to complete. Approximately 80% of the training is completed on the job under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson, while the remaining 20% is delivered through four mandatory levels of in-school Trade School training. In addition, apprentices must attend required supplemental training classes offered by the IBEW prior to dispatch. These classes may take place during evenings or Saturdays and are designed to ensure apprentices develop the foundational skills and knowledge needed before attending Trade School, preparing them to become highly skilled electricians and leaders in the industry.

An electrical apprenticeship offers the opportunity to earn while you learn, combining paid, hands-on work experience with in-class technical training. Upon completion, apprentices earn a nationally recognized Journeyperson certification and enter the workforce debt-free. An apprenticeship provides a pathway to a rewarding, well-paying career in a dynamic industry that continues to evolve with new technologies while remaining highly resilient to automation and outsourcing.

The benefits of pursuing an electrical apprenticeship include:

• Get Paid to Learn: Unlike a traditional four-year university, an apprenticeship enables you to avoid heavy student debt while actively earning an income from day one.
• Hands-On Experience: You learn the trade by working directly under the supervision of licensed professionals, mastering practical skills like wiring, reading blueprints, and troubleshooting.
• High Earning Potential: Journeyperson electricians command excellent hourly rates. The trade offers abundant opportunities for overtime, and unionized members often receive robust benefits, pensions, and vacation pay.
• Zero College Debt: You avoid tuition, housing fees, and material costs associated with university degrees, saving tens of thousands of dollars.
• Nationally Recognized Certification: Upon completing the required 9,000 hours (typically 5 years) and passing your Certificate of Qualification exam, you earn a certified status that is yours for life.
• In-Demand Job Security: With the rapid shift towards electrification (like EV chargers and solar power), skilled electrical work cannot be easily automated or outsourced.
• Pathways to Advancement: The skills you gain pave the way for entrepreneurship. Certified electricians frequently advance into leadership and office roles such as foreperson, project manager, or even starting their own contracting business.