Inside Wireman Apprenticeship

What is an Inside Wireman?

An Inside Wireman is a skilled craftsman who works on large commercial projects. Daily, an inside electrician will be doing physical labor working on new construction projects and existing factories, schools, hospitals, and other large establishments.

You will be working continuously with your hands installing, assembling, testing, repairing, planning, and designing electrical apparatus used for power, lighting, and many types of systems. Due to the nature of the work, good math and reading skills are essential. The trade, at times, requires considerable physical effort for lifting, pulling, carrying materials, climbing ladders, and carrying and operating tools.

Read about the application process below!

About the Program

The Inside Apprenticeship is a five year program. Each apprentice completes a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 900 hours of classroom training. An average apprentice works 40 hours a week with one of our contractors and attends class two nights a week.

The apprenticeship program has six pay periods. This means that as you progress in this program, you will make more money. Currently (as of June 2023) the starting rate for an Inside Apprentice with no prior experience is $16.06 per hour. All of our apprentices are considered members of the IBEW Local 306 and receive pension/retirement benefits. Healthcare benefits for apprentices begin after three to four months.

All apprentices at the Akron JATC are also enrolled at Northwest State Community College. NWSCC gives our apprentices college credit for the courses they take at the JATC. With just a few extra courses, any apprentice can move to achieve an associates degree in Technical Studies in Construction Electricity.

Do I Qualify?

At the time of application, you must:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age (or 17 years and a high school graduate)
  2. Have a high school diploma, GED, associate degree, or higher degree
  3. Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
  4. Have successfully passed a high school or post education algebra course with a grade of “C” or higher
  5. Be physically able to perform electrical construction work
  6. Have the legal right to work in the United States

Application Process

The application process can take up to 3-4 months to complete. It involves an online application, an aptitude test, an in-person interview, and a selection process.

Online Application

  • Create an account to begin your online application.
    • The account will be approved in our office during normal business hours.
    • You will receive an email letting you know your account has been approved.
  • Pay the non-refundable $15 application fee.
    • You can apply for both apprenticeship programs at once, but will have to pay $15 per application.
    • Applications must be completed within 45 days.
  • Submit (by mail or email) an official high school, college, or GED transcripts. This transcript must come directly from your school or university.
  • For military training proof, an official copy of a DD214 must be uploaded or submitted.
  • You will be notified via email that your application is complete.

Aptitude Test

  • You will be scheduled for an aptitude test and notified via email.
    • If you miss your aptitude test for any reason, you will have to reapply.
    • Aptitude tests are once a month – usually on the third Friday of the month.
  • You will be tested on Algebra and Reading.
  • This test is scored on a 0-9 scale. To qualify for further application process steps, you must achieve a score of 4 or higher.
  • You will be notified of your score via email.
  • This test can only be taken once every three months for all IBEW/NECA related programs. If you have taken the test for any other IBEW/NECA Program within the last three months, we will obtain the score received at another location and apply it to your application.
  • Applicants with bona fide Electrical Construction training and work experience may qualify for an interview solely by providing documented evidence verifying a minimum of four thousand (4000) hours in the electrical trade. This means that you will still have to sit for the aptitude test, but you will not have to pass in order to move on to the interview portion of the application process.

Interview

  • If you pass the aptitude test, you will be scheduled for an in-person interview and be notified via email of the date and time.
    • Interviews generally happen on a monthly basis and will occur on a weekday during normal business hours.
    • If you miss your interview for any reason, you will have to reapply.
  • You will be scored on your interview and that score will be sent to you via email. Interviews are scored by our committee members on a scale of 1-100. This score is then placed on our ranking list for apprentice selection.
  • When we select apprentices, we will do so right off the top of our ranking list starting with the highest interview score.
  • Your interview score will remain on this list for two years.
  • We can’t tell you where you rank on the selection list, but we will gladly discuss all further options with you if you have any concerns.

Selection

  • Apprentices are usually selected between May – August each year as we start classes in the fall.
  • If you hope to be selected, you should apply for the apprenticeship program as soon as possible to ensure that your interview score is on the selection list by the time the committee decides to select.
  • The number of apprentices we select each year depends on industry need. This means we hire as many apprentices as we have jobs for.
  • If you are selected, you will be notified via email and phone. Once we reach out to you, you will only have 48 hours to accept this placement.
  • If you are not selected, but are interested in the electrical industry, please consider re-interviewing, applying for the Residential Program, or applying to be a Construction Wireman.
    • To re-interview, you must wait at least 90 days from the date of your last interview. During that 3 month window, you must have completed 450 hour of industry-related work AND taken two continue education courses (CPR, OSHA 10, Algebra, Blueprint Reading, etc.) Documentation of both these things is required to request a re-interview.
    • The re-interview request form can be filled out in our office during business hours.

Please note: All documents become the property of the Akron Area Electrical JATC and cannot be returned. Transcripts, documentation, or fees received after the deadline stated on the Application Process Checklist will NOT be returned.

For preparation with the application process and information for future IBEW electrical workers, visit www.electricprep.com.

Disclaimers

Interviewing of qualified applicants is determined by the date that all parts of the application process are complete. Therefore, submitting all transcripts and documentation promptly is crucial. It is advisable to call to check the online status of your application at least two weeks before your designated deadline to verify receipt of the necessary documentation.

Selection of apprentices to the Apprenticeship Program is based on qualification alone without regard to race, creed, gender, age, color, or national origin. The candidates selected for the Apprenticeship are determined by interview score, starting with the highest composite interview score. The Industry’s needs determine the number of apprentices accepted into the Program at that time.

Post selected applicants are required to pass a drug test, physician physical, and a background check. The AAEJATC bears the cost for these screenings.

Apprentices will be required to pay for administrative fees for each year of the apprenticeship. The current fee is $1000 and must be paid before starting the class year. First-year apprentices are given the opportunity to split up this cost in two payments of $500. Second – Fifth-year apprentices are required to pay the $1000 in full each fall.

Complete copies of the Registered Standards, Affirmative Action Plan, Selection Procedure, and Collective Bargaining Agreement are available for review on request. Copies of the Job Description for Inside Wireman are also available on request.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

The Akron Area Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin — except the applicant must meet the minimum age requirement in administrating of its educational policies, admission policies, and other school-administered programs.

Types of Work

  • Electrical Power Systems & Lighting
  • Power Distribution & Metering
  • Motor Control
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
  • Building Automation Systems
  • Energy Management Systems
  • Manufacturing Systems
  • Backup Power Generation

Program Details

  • 5-year Program
  • 8000 Hours of On-the-Job Training
  • 900 Hours of Classroom Training
  • School Fees: $1,000 Per Year
  • Earn a solid paycheck for OJT work staring at $16.06 per hour
  • Earn college credit while completing the apprenticeship program

Transitioning Military

Individuals with military technical training, a Military Occupational Specialty applicable to the electrical construction trade, and documentation for a minimum of two years military experience in that MOS will qualify for an oral interview with other qualified applicants

The Akron Area Electrical JATC Apprenticeship programs qualify for GI Bill tuition assistance. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to determine your individual qualifications.

Set For Life

After going through the IBEW-NECA program, you’ll be trained in all aspects of the electrical trade, reaping the benefits of a job that pays well, is always challenging, and that offers the security of long-term employment with a comfortable retirement.

Program Benefits

  • Earn While You Learn
  • A Career with a Future
  • Excellent Wage Rate
  • State-of-the-Art Training
  • Advancement Opportunities
  • Paid Health Insurance
  • Guaranteed Pension Benefits
  • Pride and Dignity