Electrical Apprenticeship

Earn While You Learn

Welcome to the Florida East Coast Electrical JATC.  Our 5-year electrical apprenticeship will require you to complete five years of related electrical training with at least 180 hours of classroom time per year.  You will also work for our contractors to earn 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.  Once you have completed both requirements, you will join the ranks of the best trained electrical workers in the world, as an IBEW journeyman wireman and work for our partners, NECA contractors. 

What is Apprenticeship?  Apprenticeship is the process of learning a craft.  Apprentices learn their craft by working and learning, on the job, with journeyman electricians and attending related classroom training.  The Florida East Coast Electrical JATC is an electrical apprenticeship provider, registered with the Florida Department of Education, Apprenticeship Office.

The Apprenticeship Program.  The apprenticeship program requires a five-year commitment.  In order to complete the apprenticeship, an apprentice must accumulate 8,000 hours of on the job training and successfully complete five years (900 hours) of related electrical training. 

The Application Process. Applications can be obtained either in person at our office or online at www.fecjatc.com. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to receive an application.  At the office, you will have access to copies of the JATC Standards, the Affirmative Action Plan, the Selection Procedures, the JATC Policies and Procedures, and other information pertinent to the apprenticeship.  You are encouraged to take time to review each document and ask any questions you may have.

Applicants must answer each question on the application form completely, leaving no blanks.

The following documents and information must be provided before the application is complete.  You will have ten (10) days from the date of the application to provide the documents/information.  Failure to do so will result in the application becoming void. 

1.    Applicants must provide an official transcript for each high school and post high school they attended. These transcripts must be sealed in an unopened envelope.

2.    Applicants who receive their high school diploma through GED testing must provide a copy of the diploma and all GED records. These records, at a minimum, must show the GED scores and indicate that the diploma has been issued.  The records provided must be official copies.

3.    All applicants must provide evidence of successful completion (passing the course) of: one full credit of high school algebra course, or one post high school algebra course.  The JATC Standards also recognize successful completion of the NJATC Math Course.  This course is available online.  For more information, visit http://www.njatc.org/training/online.aspx.

4.    Provide a valid driver’s license or photo ID and social security card

5.    Submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a veteran.

6.   Provide any other required documentation or information such as letters of recommendation, personal merit citations, achievement awards, etc. that the applicant would like the JATC to consider.

Applicants who successfully complete their applications will be scheduled to take the electrical industry’s aptitude test developed and validated by the American Institutes for Research.  The test has two sections; algebra and functions and reading comprehension.

The Interview Process.  The final step in the process requires each applicant to be interviewed by the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.  Applicants will be ranked by the committee and each applicant will be added to our applicant pool.

The Applicant Pool.  The pool is used by the JATC to select apprentices for apprenticeship classes.  Each applicant will remain in the pool for a period of one year, after their interview date.  Applicants selected for apprenticeship will be required to pass a physical and drug test before being registered as an apprentice.

On The Job Training.  Applicants who are selected for apprenticeship and registered with the State of Florida Apprenticeship Office will enter the job pool.  The JATC will provide the new apprentice with a job assignment to one of our contractors.  Once on the job, apprentices are assigned to a journeyman and the OJT learning process begins.  The work you will perform is electrical construction; residential, commercial, and industrial.  It involves digging ditches, installing heavy switchgear, running conduit and pulling wire.  You are working in buildings without permanent lighting or air conditioning.  However, those of you who are meant to be electricians, will find the work rewarding.

Our Jurisdiction. You may be required to work in any area within the jurisdiction during your apprenticeship. Our jurisdiction includes all or part of the following counties: Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St Lucie. 

Tools.  Each apprentice is expected to provide his/her own hand tools.  The JATC policies and procedures provide the following recommended list of tools.

·        Tool pouch

·        Tape Measure

·        4” Straight Screwdriver

·        9” Lineman’s Pliers

·        Pocket Knife

·        Heavy Duty Hacksaw

·        Voltage Tester

·        8” Aviator Shears

·        Set of Allen Wrenches

·        Pair of Diagonal Cutters

·        Pencil

·        6” Straight Screwdriver

·        4” Phillips Screwdriver

·        Straight Claw Hammer

·        Wire Strippers

·        2 Pairs Adjustable Pump Pliers (“Channel Locks”)

·        Torpedo Level

·        Pair long nose pliers

New apprentices should check with the JATC office before purchasing new tools.  We often get package prices from some of our training partners.

Related Classroom Training.  Each apprentice attends class for one eight-hour day, every other week, year round.  You are paid for the eight hours by your contractor, if you are employed. (The JATC Policies and Procedures explain payment of apprentices under the Day School Policy).  You will accumulate a minimum of 180 hours of classroom training each year.  Course materials are taught in modules and tests are given at the end of each. 

Does the JATC Charge a Tuition?  We do NOT charge tuition for the apprenticeship.  Each apprentice must purchase his/her books for the year and pay a course access fee for online workbooks. In addition, each apprentice must have a laptop computer for his/her homework (workbooks online).  The laptop will be used for all five years and will be needed in class from time to time.  A copy of the minimum specifications for the laptop can be obtained at the office. 

Can I Get Credit For Work or School Experience? The JATC will have to look at any prior experience to determine if it is comparable to the training we provide.  Our concern is the best interests of each applicant.  We believe in providing the best training available and do not wish to place any apprentice in a position where he/she cannot be successful.  If you wish to have prior credit evaluated, you will need to ask staff for the “Electrical Work Process Evaluation Form” for OJT credit and /or the “Related Training Evaluation Form”.  The process is described in the JATC Policies and Procedures.

Methods of Entry Into The Apprenticeship.  The discussion, so far, has outlined our basic method of moving to the interview process. You may be eligible to follow a different path if you have verifiable experience working in the electrical construction industry, attended a registered pre-apprenticeship program, or had a military MOS as an electrician are a few examples.  There may be  information and documents that will have to be submitted, in addition to those required for the traditional method.

Take all the time you need to review these documents and make sure all your questions are answered.  The apprenticeship is a path to an excellent profession that provides you and your family with great pay and benefits. 

Conclusion.  We appreciate your interest in the Florida East Coast Electrical JATC.  We believe the electrical profession provides a worthwhile career opportunity for men and women.  We are looking for people who have the right attitude and are willing to work hard to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be considered the best.  We hope that this is the beginning of a long relationship with you.  Please feel free to contact our staff if you have any questions.

The Florida East Coast Electrical JATC accepts applications

Applicants must:

·     Complete an application

·     Be a minimum of 18 years of age

·   Provide official transcripts of high school and post-high school education and training

·    Show evidence of successful completion of one full credit of high school algebra,  or post high school algebra course, or the NJATC Math Course

·     Possess a valid Driver’s License

Successful applicants will be interviewed by the JATC.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE TURNED IN TO OUR OFFICE LOCATED AT:

4620 SUMMIT BLVD., WEST PALM BEACH, 33415

For more Information, Please Call 561-968-4400 ext. 415 

We can tell you what to bring to have a completed application on your first visit to our office.

This is an opportunity for a career that provides a great income with excellent fringe benefits.  Make the call – we are more than happy to talk with you.

The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship, shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.  The applicant must meet the minimum age requirement.  The JATC does not, and will not discriminate against a qualified individual because of the disability of such individual.  The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under applicable law and lawful regulations issued thereunder.