What does an Apprentice Electrician do?

Do you enjoy working with your hands? Working as part of a team? Problem-solving? Maybe a career as an electrician is for you!

Apprentice Electrician's learn how to build complex technological systems from experts while also learning the science behind those systems. Electrician's must keep themselves, and the public, safe from electrical hazards, while creating an efficient and long-lasting product. Becoming an apprentice electrician is an incredibly challenging, and rewarding, career path. Does that sound good to you?

You can become an electrician through the Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund (JATC), a multi-employer apprenticeship program. As you develop more complex job skills and improve your knowledge, you'll receive predetermined pay increases. Talk with individuals not working in the IBEW-NECA programs. Find out what they are paid compared to JATC trained workers. Ask what benefits they are provided by their employer. Do their contractors pay 100% for health and welfare benefits, a pension plan and vacation pay? Check it out, then make an informed, intelligent choice. After you've made the comparison, we're confident you'll want to find out more about the Dakotas JATC and the great opportunities we offer.

As an apprentice, then a journeyworker, you'll have job security. The skill of an electrician is highly respected nationwide. The finest electrical workers in the country receive their training through JATC's.

Current journey worker wages vary from $35.70 to $46.96 an hour, depending on jurisdiction and type of work. Apprentice wages are based upon a percentage of the journey worker's hourly wage and advancements are made at six month intervals. After the first two steps of the apprenticeship program, you will receive pension, vacation and holiday pay.

Benefits start after a 14-day waiting period with a weekly disability benefit of $300 with a maximum period of 52 weeks. Occupational coverage is $40 per week with Workmen's Compensation supplement. Vacation contribution varies from 5% to 7% of gross wages for apprentices, depending on jurisdiction.

The Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund serves North Dakota, South Dakota and parts of Western Minnesota.

Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: Applicants will also need to take, and pass, an aptitude test prior to interview.

Direct Entry / Direct Interview:

Applicants may qualify for either Direct Entry or Direct Interview if they meet any of the following qualifications:

• 2,000 + hours documented experience in the electrical industry

• 3+ years active duty or reserve military service

We must receive all required documentation by the application deadline to qualify for that interview. Interviews will be scheduled in each area on an AS NEEDED basis. If you are interested in more than one area, you must select EACH area on your application, and you will interview in EACH area.

This program is a five-year on-the-job training program where students are taught the trade while actually working it. Apprentices are also required to attend classes offered at no charge through the JATC program. There is a yearly book fee of about $785 (based on the 2020-21 year) due by the first day of classes (usually beginning in August).

Geographical Area Covered: States of North Dakota, South Dakota, with the exception of the southern halves of Yankton, Clay, and Union counties; and the following counties in Minnesota: Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Norman, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, Wilkin, Ottertail, Grant, Douglas, Pipestone, Murray, Rock, Nobles, and Traverse. View maps on our website.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY IN APPRENTICESHIP

This is a notice of Equal Employment Opportunity in Electrical Apprenticeship.

View our Standards, EEO/AA Plan, Selection Procedures and Rules & Policies at our website.

High School Graduate or;

Have a certificate of High School Equivalency or GED or;

Have a two-year Associate Degree or higher

Successfully completed one full year of High School Algebra with a grade of “C” or better or;

One full semester of post high school algebra with a grade of “C” or better or;

The electrical training ALLIANCE online Tech Math course (contact us for more details)

Able to work legally in the United States and provide a valid Social Security Number

Capable of completing all requirements of apprenticeship, including being able and willing to:

Safely perform, or learn to safely perform essential functions of the job

Get to and from work at job sites within the geographical jurisdiction of the Local Union

Attend and successfully complete all related instruction

Understand and follow all JATC Rules and Policies

Climb and work from ladders, scaffolds, poles and towers of various heights

Push, pull, crawl, crouch and work in confined spaces, lift 25-50 pounds regularly and use various hand and power tools

Read, hear, speak and understand instructions and warnings in English

Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of registration (may apply at 17)

Possess a valid driver's license

Military Experience. Applicants who have completed at least three years of active-duty service, with an honorable discharge within 5 years of date of application.

[Electrical] Industry Experience. Applicants who can verify that they have worked a minimum of 2,000 hours specifically in the electrical construction trade.

Applicants who have completed any of the following:

electrical training ALLIANCE Interim Credential Program

School-to-Apprenticeship Program (STA)

Job Corps [electrical construction] training program

Pre-apprenticeship Programs