Applying and

Qualifying for

Apprenticeship in the

Electrical Industry

Information for Applicants

A Message to Applicants

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) jointly sponsor apprenticeship training programs that offer you the opportunity to earn wages and benefits while you learn the skills needed for a trade that can be both challenging and rewarding. You will have the chance to use your mind, as well as your physical skills, to complete work in a variety of settings with the constant opportunity to learn something new.

The application process has three parts:

1.                  Learning about Electrical work:

2.                  Applying for Apprenticeship:

3.                  Preparing for the Test:

Inside Wiremen

Inside Wiremen install conduit, electrical wiring, fixtures, and electrical apparatus inside commercial buildings and in a multitude of industrial settings. Major duties for Inside Wiremen include:

• Planning and Initiating Projects
• Establishing Temporary Power during Construction
• Establishing Grounding Systems
• Installing Service to Buildings and Other Structures
• Establishing Power Distribution within a Project
• Planning and Installing Raceway Systems
• Providing Power and Controls to Motors, HVAC, and Other Equipment
• Installing Receptacles, Lighting Systems, and Fixtures
• Troubleshooting and Repairing Electrical Systems
• Installing and Repairing Traffic Signals, Outdoor Lighting and Outdoor Power Feeders
• Installing Fir Alarm Systems

In performing these duties, Inside Wiremen must use many different kinds of tools, ranging from simple one and two-hand tools (such as pliers, screwdrivers, and cable-cutters) to power-assisted tools like electric drills and cable pullers. They occasionally operate heavy equipment such as trenchers and aerial lifts.

Over the course of the five-year Inside Wiremen apprenticeship program, apprentices must acquire a wealth of technical knowledge. A recent job analysis identifies 83 specific knowledge areas that are important for successful job performance. A few of the most important ones are knowledge of:

• The National Electrical Code
• How to Work With Energized Circuits
• Blueprints (Including Symbols Used)
• Electrical Schematic Diagrams
• State and Local Electrical Codes
• First Aid
• Hazardous Materials
• Specific Job Safety Rules

Some of the most important skills to be learned are:

• Skill at Performing CPR
• Skill at Reading a Wire Table to Determine Conductor Size Required
• Skill at Terminating Aluminum or Copper Cable
• Skill at Terminating High Voltage Cable
• Skill at Splicing High Voltage Cable