Program Information
Apprenticeship Overview
An Electrical Apprentice is a person who is paid to receive classroom and on-the-job training to become a professional electrician. A person who has finished an Electrical Apprenticeship is now called a Journeyperson Electrician.
- The Apprenticeship Program is a 5 year 8000 hour program.
- Apprentices are required to attend 180 hours of classroom training per year.
- On the job training is completed by working full-time with a contractor.
- Required to pay for course fees & materials.
- All work assignments shall be made through the apprenticeship office.
Application Requirements
The JATC accepts applications year round and the application is available online. If a paper version is preferred, please request via an email to Apprentice Administrator, Julie Strike, at jstrike@scmnjatc.org.
To be interviewed and be placed on our eligibility list, applicants MUST adhere to the following conditions:
- Meet the minimum age requirement of 17 at the time of application.
- Be at least 18 years old prior to being hired.
- Complete an application form.
- EEOC Form
- Signature page of policy statement
- Be at least a high school graduate, or have a GED, or in lieu of a high school diploma or GED, have a two-year Associate Degree or higher.
- Provide an official transcript for high school and post-high school education and training. All GED records must be submitted if applicable.
- Be able to work a 40 hour week if work is available
- Obtain a qualifying score of “4” or higher, using the Electrical Trade’s Aptitude Test developed and validated by the American Institute for Research. (Applicants are tested on algebra and reading comprehension.)
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Have transportation to and from job sites located within the geographical area covered by this program. SCMJATC policy states that no apprentice will be required to travel more than 60 miles to work. This applies to work and job placement. Apprentices shall reserve discretionary right so to accept work or placement outside of the 60-mile range.
Required Skills
The application form will require you to accurately respond to all questions and items including statements indicating that you are:
Location/Apprenticeship Office
The apprentice office is located in the IBEW Local 343 office at 9 80th St SE, Rochester, MN. The office phone number is 507-529-7721.
Coming from the North 52: Take the S. Broadway/US-63 S exit. Take a left hand turn at 80th Street SE.
Coming from the South on I-90: Take the US-63 N exit towards Rochester. Take a right hand turn at 80th Street SE.
Apprentice Wages
Apprentices’ wages are based on a percentage of the Journeyman wage rate:
1st Period = 50%
2nd Period = 55%
3rd Period = 60%
4th Period = 65%
5th Period = 70%
6th Period = 75%
Completion = 100%
Journeyman rate is $46.51
New Apprentices without prior experience or trade school start at 1st period pay. Individuals with documented work experience or a Minnesota accredited electrical trade school degree will get credit for a 2 year state approved Construction Electrician program and may get credit for verified previous work experience.
To be advanced, the apprentice must have satisfactorily completed both requirements.
(Example: To advance to 3rd period, one must have satisfactorily completed the 1st year of related training and must also have accumulated 2000 hours of OJT with satisfactory performance.)