You could call a RAV 4 a “truck” and a Tundra a “truck”… I know which one I would consider a truck. I bet you do too.
If you are considering an electrical apprenticeship, the first step you will want to take is to carefully select a true apprenticeship. Let’s look at the Department of Labor definition:
“Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers.
Workers benefit from apprenticeships by receiving a skills-based education that prepares them for good-paying jobs. Apprenticeship programs help employers recruit, build, and retain a highly-skilled workforce.”
Apprenticeship | U.S. Department of Labor
A second factor to consider is whether or not the program is a Registered Apprenticeship Program:
“Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience with a mentor, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.
RAPs enable and energize more employers to participate and provide them access to larger talent pools that have been trained for entry-level to management positions, thereby meeting industry demands and reducing unemployment rates across the country.
Key elements of all Registered Apprenticeship programs include the following:
Industry Led – Programs are industry-vetted and approved to ensure alignment with industry standards and that apprentices are trained for highly skilled, high-demand occupations.
Paid Job – Apprenticeships are jobs! Apprentices earn progressive wage as their skills and productivity increase.
Structured On-the-Job Learning/Mentorship – Programs provide structured on-the-job training to prepare for a successful career, which includes instruction from an experienced mentor.
Supplemental Education – Apprentices are provided supplemental classroom education based on the employers unique training needs to ensure quality and success.
Diversity – Programs are designed to reflect the communities in which they operate through strong non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and recruitment practices to ensure access, equity, and inclusion.
Quality & Safety – Apprentices are afforded worker protections while receiving rigorous training to equip them with the skills they need to succeed and the proper training and supervision they need to be safe.
Credentials – Apprentices earn a portable, nationally-recognized credential within their industry.
Registered Apprenticeship Program | Apprenticeship.gov
IEC Chesapeake offers you ALL of the above! Before we share our resources for you to consider, let’s flip this question on its side…
· If the electrical class(es) you are looking at or enrolled in does NOT offer you employment or resources to employment, it’s not an apprenticeship.
· If it is NOT a four-year accredited program, leading to licensure, it is NOT an apprenticeship.
· Are people enrolled in your class that are not aiming to be electricians? Are they there to simply learn fundamentals? If the answer is Yes- that’s NOT an apprenticeship class.
· Are the students employed, getting on the job training, as well as related classroom instruction and labs under the tutelage of a professional electrician? If the answer is NO, it’s NOT an apprenticeship program.
You don’t have to wonder what we offer- we are very transparent. Start with our Apprenticeship FAQ’s and work your way over to our Apprenticeship offerings and locations:
Electrical Apprenticeship Program at IEC Chesapeake
Electrical Apprenticeship Program at IEC Chesapeake
Training Locations – Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake
Your career choice and trajectory is too important to leave up to chance! Do a little “homework” and figure out what programs best suit your vision of your future.
If the title Electrical Journeyworker is in your vision- we invite to start with IEC Chesapeake.
Jenny Boone, VP IECC Communications & Sales
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