Southern Illinois Electrical JATC
Located in West Frankfort, IL, is the primary source of training for Apprentice Electrical Workers of the Union Electrical Construction Industry (Industry) that is within the jurisdiction of the Southern Illinois Chapter (NECA) and IBEW Local 702 (IBEW). In 1978, NECA and The IBEW registered its Apprenticeship Program with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (USDOLOA).
SIE JATC’s goal is to recruit the best possible candidates for the Apprenticeship Programs it operates for the Industry. SIE JATC seeks those that are best suited for a career as an Electrical Worker. Customers, Electrical Contractors that are signatory to a Local Union of the IBEW, and IBEW demand the best Electrical Workers. Through SIE JATC, Apprentices are properly and safely trained until they top out as Journeyman Electrical Workers. Electrical Worker careers are Construction Based Occupations. A want to be committed and dedicated to a career in this Industry is imperative for Applicants to have prior to completing an application. The best Electrical Workers in the Industry earn an excellent living; even as national and local economies rise and fall. To earn and keep an opportunity, a person must be able to meet all SIE JATC requirements, qualifications, and expectations.
3 Required Steps to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Meeting the Following Qualifications The following qualifications must be met before an application can be completed:
Step 2: Collect the Following Items Applicants must PROVIDE the following at the time of Application
Step 3
Complete a in-person application at the Southern Illinois Electrical JATC located at 11846 Country Club Rd. West Frankfort IL. 62896 and submit required documents.
Applicants must consider the following: Qualifying on an Aptitude Test. Placement on ranking score/eligibility list after an Interview. If after accepting an apprenticeship opportunity, pass Drug Screen and Pre-employment Physical Exam.
SIE JATC will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years or older. SIE JATC will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
Application Process to Qualify for and Earn an Electrical Worker Apprenticeship Opportunity
1.Choose Career and Apply: A person must choose to pursue a career as an Electrical Worker and then apply to one or both corresponding Apprenticeship Programs provided by SIE JATC (pending availability). It is possible for one year to pass from the date of application to the date of accepting an opportunity, if offered. An Applicant must meet all qualifications and requirements before proceeding to step 2. In this handout, see Qualifications and Requirements to Apply for SIE JATC’S Electrical Worker Apprenticeship Opportunities
2. Aptitude Test: An Applicant meeting all requirements and qualifications will be notified by mail of an invitation to take the Electrical Training Alliance Aptitude Test Battery. Tests are administered by SIE JATC to groups of Applicants as needed; however, tests are typically administered in January (could be sooner or later). The test battery includes two tests: Algebra and Functions, and Reading Comprehension. An Applicant must earn a minimum composite test score of a 4 before proceeding to step 3. Multiple attempts to earn a qualifying score at 3-month intervals are allowed. An Applicant is rendered as null and void for failing to take a scheduled test.
3. Notification: You will be notified of the status of your application after the aptitude test. That will determine if you qualify for a interview or you do not meet the minimum requirements.
4. Interview: An Applicant who earned a qualifying score on the aptitude test will be notified by mail of an invitation to interview with Southern Illinois Electrical JATC’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Groups of Applicants are interviewed as needed; however typically interviewed once a year in March (could be sooner or later). The Committee consists of 6 members: 3 NECA members and 3 IBEW members. The Committee is the ultimate authority over the entire Apprenticeship Program and all Apprentices. SIE JATC seeks candidates best suited for the Industry. An Applicant must earn a ranking score from the Committee, before proceeding to step 4 (a score between 0-100 is issued based on interview results and a thorough review of all qualifications). An Applicant is rendered as null and void for failing to appear for a scheduled interview.
5. Eligibility List: An Applicant with a ranking score is placed on the eligibility list for the career(s) chosen. Eligibility is for one year from the date of the interview. Apprenticeship opportunities are offered to Applicants with the highest scores. An Applicant may reapply after eligibility has expired. During eligibility, an Applicant may be re-interviewed by the Committee to earn a new score. An applicant electing to reinterview is encouraged, but not required, to gain work experience in the Electrical Construction Industry and/or complete one to two post-secondary courses related to the Electrical Construction Industry. An Applicant’s position on the eligibility list may change after subsequent applicant interview sessions, when offers for Apprenticeship opportunities are accepted or declined, and when Applicants fail to qualify.
Application Process to Qualify for and Earn an Electrical Worker Apprenticeship Opportunity
6. Offer to Accept an Apprenticeship Opportunity: Needs of the Industry and the economy determine the exact number of opportunities offered and exactly when new Apprentices are assigned to NECA Electrical Contractors. Generally, opportunities are only offered once per year. Opportunities are offered to Applicants with the highest scores. An Applicant must accept an offer before proceeding to step 7. An Applicant is removed from the eligibility list if an offer is accepted or declined.
7. Pre-employment Drug Screen and Physical Exam: Applicants must be drug free and able to perform the duties of an Electrical Worker. Upon accepting an offer, an Applicant is required to pass a drug screen and physical exam; THC is not tolerated. Passing both, Applicants proceed to step 8. An Applicant is removed from eligibility if either is failed.
8. Orientation Documents: Applicants who passed the drug screen and physical exam are considered eligible for indenture. Those Applicants will attend an orientation that will consist of understanding and signing of Apprenticeship Agreement, the Apprenticeship Standards, Apprenticeship Rules and Policies, Signature pages, and other important documents.
9. Orientation: Applicants are indentured and classified as an Apprentice of SIE JATC at the Orientation meeting. This meeting is with the Training Director and is held at SIE JATC. An Applicant is officially classified as Indentured Apprentice after all indenture related documents are signed off by the Applicant at the end of the Orientation meeting.
10. Assignment to NECA Electrical Contractor/Attend RCT: Ideally, new Apprentices will be ready for employment/OJT assignments, if available, to NECA Electrical Contractors. All Apprentices are required to attend all scheduled RCT during their term of the Apprenticeship. An Apprentice is classified as a Journeyman upon successful completion of all Apprenticeship requirements.
11. Initiation as a Union Member of IBEW Local 702: Apprentice Electrical Workers will become a dues paying Union member of IBEW Local 702. An Apprentice is initiated as a member of IBEW Local 702 at the first local Union Meeting within 30 days of the start employment. After initiation, an Apprentice has the privilege to be an active IBEW Local 702 member with full voting rights. Apprentices and Journeymen pay out-of-pocket monthly membership dues to the International Office of the IBEW and weekly working assessments to IBEW Local 702
Information and Expectations Applicants Must Know
• The very first step a person must take to become a part of the Union Electrical Construction Industry is to decide to want to be an Electrical Worker – either you want to be an Electrical Worker, or you don’t – there is not an in between.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to be an Electrical Worker until they retire.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to be committed and dedicated to the Union Electrical Construction Industry.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to make the sacrifices required for success.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to contribute to the success of all NECA Electrical Contractors.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to contribute to the success of the IBEW.
• Successful Electrical Workers want to contribute to the success of all Customers.
• Applicants apply for 2 opportunities at the same time: an employment opportunity and an education opportunity.
• SIE JATC is only looking for career orientated candidates.
• SIE JATC is only looking for candidates who want to be great.
• SIE JATC is not interested in candidates just looking for a job.
• Applicants must research the trade to be sure they want to be a part of it. Research should include visiting the web sites listed on the first page of this handout, learning about the Industry on YouTube, and meeting and speaking with IBEW members.
• New Apprentice Inside Wiremen are typically started every year.
• Opportunities for Apprentice VDV Installer Technicians are limited due to Industry needs.
• Not all Applicants receive an opportunity the first time they apply; multiple application attempts may be required.
• Applicants must understand they are applying for a construction-based employment and training opportunity.
• An Electrical Worker is a construction worker.
• The potential for unemployment exists in the Industry – always has, always will.
• Being an employable asset for NECA Electrical Contractors is the best defense against unemployment.
• When work slows down, NECA Electrical Contractors keep their employable assets and lay off the rest.
• NECA Electrical Contractors are in business to make a profit, and they rely on their employable assets to make that profit.
• Should an Apprentice become unemployed due to lack of work, that Apprentice is still an Apprentice in training – still a part of this family – still a part of this Brotherhood. That Apprentice is not left alone to fend for themselves.
• It is SIE JATC ’s responsibility to assign that unemployed Apprentice to another NECA Electrical Contractor for an employment/OJT opportunity.
• An unemployed Journeyman Electrical Worker has the benefit of over 800 IBEW Local Union offices throughout the country, with 17 in the state of Illinois alone, to sign up for employment opportunities.
• While unemployed due to lack of work, Journeymen and Apprentices can claim State and Federal unemployment insurance benefits.
• Being financially fit – eliminating debt and saving money – will contribute to success as an Electrical Worker.
• Electrical Workers work in any and all weather conditions – good or bad.
• Electrical Workers work in any and all job site conditions – good or bad.
• The Electrical Trade is dangerous, and physically and mentally demanding.
• Cannot be afraid of: electricity, heights, brooms, garbage cans, rodents, heat, cold, rain, mud, or a shovel.
• It takes a significant amount of commitment, dedication, and sacrifice to be a successful Electrical Worker. Application Requirements and Application Process
• Applicants must thoroughly review the Application Requirements and Application Process on pages 3 and 4 of this handout. Employment/OJT
• SIE JATC assigns new Apprentices to NECA Electrical Contractors for employment/OJT opportunities.
• New Apprentices become employees of a NECA Electrical Contractor and earn wages, health insurance and retirement benefits.
• NECA Electrical Contractors send Apprentices to the job sites where they are needed.
• The job site can be residential, commercial, or industrial – anywhere within the 26-county jurisdiction.
• While on the job, new Apprentices work with Journeymen and are taught the trade.
• A new Apprentice’s reputation begins the first day on the job – it’s up to the Apprentice if that reputation is good or bad.
• The Apprentice must decide if he or she will be an employable asset or not – it’s up to the Apprentice to make that decision.
• Electrical construction work is full-time work scheduled for at least 40 hours per week.
• Generally, most jobs are scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, with a half hour lunch break.
• Some jobs work more than 40 hours per week; overtime rules apply as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Electrical Workers are paid once per week, generally by Friday.
Apprentice Inside Wireman Program
To obtain Journeyman status, Apprentices must complete 4 years of training. Minimum 8000 hours OJT. Minimum 720 hours RCT. Primary RCT and Secondary RCT is held in West Frankfort at SIE JATC and other facilities. Primary RCT is a minimum of (23) 8-hour day classes every other week during each year of the 4-year program. Classes generally meet 2 to 3 days per month. Classes are in session from August until early June. Classes are scheduled from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm each class day. Secondary RCT consists of Saturday classes and night classes.
Apprentice VDV Installer Technician Program
To obtain Journeyman status, Apprentices must complete 3 years of training. Minimum 6000 hours OJT. Minimum 480 hours RCT. Primary RCT is held at the Training Center in West Frankfort, IL. Primary RCT is a minimum of (40) 4-hour night classes during the week after work for approximately 40 weeks during each year of the 3-year program. Classes generally meet 4 to 5 nights per month. This includes meeting once per week per month and meeting twice a week for one or two weeks per month. Classes are in session from August until early May.
• Primary RCT is the delivery of the trade related curriculum. It consists of time in the classroom with an Instructor and classmates covering homework, tests, and lab work.
• Secondary RCT is additional, necessary related training.
• Apprentices have to take advantage of their RCT. If they decide not to, they are simply preventing themselves from becoming an employable asset.
• RCT requires effort and sacrifice.
• Time must be allotted at home to complete homework assignments and study for tests.
• Time in the classroom keeps Apprentices away from home and family.
• RCT attendance is mandatory. Apprentices are penalized for missing class. Any missed class time must be made up to advance in training and compensation.
• A laptop computer and access to the internet is required for completion of homework assignments via online platforms and classroom activities that include exams via online platforms.
• RCT and OJT occur simultaneously.
• Skills learned by serving an Apprenticeship belong to the Electrical Worker – those skills are completely portable – executable anywhere in the country.
Southern Illinois Electrical JATC Training Center Out of Pocket Expenses.
• Laptop Computer – Apprentices are required to have a laptop computer meeting the ETA’s system requirement.
• School Books – Apprentices are required to purchase schoolbooks by the start of each school year. If the books are not paid for, the Apprentice will not take possession of the books and will not be allowed to attend class until the books are paid for. Book prices can be $1350 per year. Book prices increase annually.
• Tools – Apprentices are required to purchase a limited number of hand tools for use on the job. Apprentices can expect to spend $800 on the required tools.
• Work Wear – Apprentices are required to provide proper work wear, safety toed boots, and cold weather clothing.
• IBEW Membership Dues – An opportunity to become an Electrical Worker includes Union membership with the IBEW. Within 30 days of employment, new Apprentices are initiated as Union members of IBEW Local 702. New members pay initiation fees of approximately $52.00 and minimum Quarterly membership dues of approximately $400.00. These dues fund the International Office of the IBEW, a pension/retirement plan benefit, and a death benefit for members of the IBEW.
• Weekly Working Assessments – The office of IBEW Local 702 is funded by the membership through a working assessment of 3.25% of gross weekly wages. This assessment is deducted from each member’s weekly paycheck.
• No Paid Time Off – Electrical Workers are only paid for the hours they work. Electrical Workers are not compensated for holidays, sick days, personal days, or vacation days.
• For each year of training, Apprentices complete all required OJT hours, complete all required RCT hours, complete all homework assignments, take and pass all tests, submit monthly work reports, and if applicable, serve all penalties and/or discipline.
• With the completion of all yearly requirements, SIE JATC advances Apprentices to the next year of training and corresponding wages and benefits. If the requirements are not complete, Apprentices are not allowed to advance.
• Wages for Apprentices are based on a percentage of the Journeyman pay scale.
• Starting wages for new Apprentice Inside Wireman are generally 50% of Journeyman scale; +/- $26.00 per hour.
• Starting wages for new Apprentice VDV Installer Technicians are generally 50% of Journeyman scale; +/- $24.00 per hour.
• In addition to the hourly wage, Apprentices earn excellent health insurance benefits. The premiums for the health insurance plan are earned on an hourly basis and are paid for by the NECA Electrical Contractors.
• In addition to the hourly wage, Apprentices earn excellent pension/retirement plan benefits. These benefits are earned on an hourly basis and are paid for by the NECA Electrical Contractors.
NECA Electrical Contractors and IBEW Local 702 operate in a joint effort to provide electrical construction services to any and all customers within the jurisdiction. As members of this Industry, Journeyman and Apprentice Electrical Workers are expected to commute within the boundaries of this jurisdiction to report to any customer’s jobsite as directed by supervision. To report to jobsites for OJT assignments and to report to mandatory RCT in West Frankfort , Apprentices must maintain a valid driver’s license, a quality Union/American made vehicle, and the right attitude. The jurisdiction is large. It is possible for an Apprentice to spend 3 hours or more in a day driving from home to the jobsite, from the jobsite home. Although there are no guarantees, NECA Electrical Contractors and SIE JATC try to limit the travel time of an Apprentice.