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Earn while you learn
At the Richmond Electricians' Apprenticeship Program, we prepare our students for careers in the electrical industry as journey-level workers. Students progress through the program's 4-year, state-recognized curriculum guided by our journey-level instructors, while also learning hands-on skills under the supervision of our journey-level workers on construction jobsites for 8,000 hours. As students progress through our 4-session (year) program, they will learn increasingly advanced knowledge and skills while gaining the confidence they need to succeed before and after graduation. While in the program, they will earn competitive wages and benefits from the very beginning! All our apprentices will be assigned to work in a full-time position with one of our signatory contractors through the Training Center. Currently, our apprentices attend school at our facility one day a week, every other week.
How the Apprenticeship Program Works:
This is a rigorous 4-session (year) in-depth post-secondary electrical training program. Apprentices are provided on-the-job training on actual construction sites during the day and attend class one day a week every other week from 7:30am - 3:30pm to learn the required electrical concepts, theories and applications necessary to develop apprentices into top-performing journey workers and professional union members. In order to graduate, an apprentice must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and successfully complete the required Related Technical Instruction hours with an average of 75% or greater.
Upon graduation, apprentices become full-fledged Inside Wireman Journeyworkers and earn nationally recognized certifications that make them eligible to work out of any local IBEW union across the country. Program completers also receive paperwork to submit to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to apply for their journeyworker license with the State of Virginia. Sitting for the state test is not required for completers.
How To Get Started
Step 1
To start your electrical apprenticeship acceptance process, you must first apply by completing an application form. You can complete an application anytime/anywhere online. We ask if you need to submit an in-person application that you would schedule an appointment to do so.
ONLINE applications can be started by clicking apply here.
IN-PERSON applications, we can set up a time for you to come in-person and one of our staff members can help walk you through the online application. This process is the same as ONLINE applications.
Supporting documentation will be required in order to complete your application.
The primary supporting documents needed to verify the minimum requirements are, but are not limited to:
- A VALID driver's license
- A copy of your birth certificate or social security card (supporting documents are required if the name is different from that on the application)
- Provide ALL transcripts (not diplomas) for all High School, College, Technical Schools, or any other education and training. Those using a GED to qualify, in addition to transcripts, you must provide GED test scores, not just a diploma.
- Form DD-214 (military veterans only)
You will not be able to complete your application until all documents have been attached except for your transcripts. We understand that requesting your transcripts from your institutions may take a few weeks.
Step 2
Once we have received your official transcripts, either through the postal system or through your school's transcript portal, we will reach out to you to schedule an Aptitude Exam date and at that time a $20.00 processing fee (non-refundable) payable by credit/debit card, cash or money order payable to "Richmond Electricians' JAF" will be required. **Checks Not Accepted
The Aptitude Exam covers two proficiencies, reading comprehension and mathematics (Algebra I). You will need to earn a qualifying score in order to advance to Step 3 of the selection process, which is a sit-down interview. Results of the exam will be given immediately following the exam that same day. If you do not earn a qualifying score, you can retest no sooner than 90 days from your test date.
Step 3
If you earn a qualifying score on the Aptitude Exam, you will be asked to report to our main office to receive your interview day and time. Interviews are conducted monthly, typically on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. It is recommended that the applicant arrives at least 15 minutes before their scheduled interview time. The actual interview will only last between 10–15 minutes.
At the interview you will be asked a series of standard questions. There is a point system for each question. After the interview we will average the received scores. Following the interview, you will be placed on a Ranking List in accordance with your score. We will accept applicants on the Ranking List as the need arises, whether at a contractor's request or to start a new apprenticeship session (year).
If accepted into the Inside Wireman Apprenticeship, you will then be classified as an indentured apprentice where you will be required to attend class and work for one of our signatory contractors.
Direct Entry
If you are a veteran recently discharged from the military or have at least 2,000 On-the-Job training hours in the electrical construction trade, you may be eligible for Direct Entry into the registered apprenticeship.
Pay Rate
Apprentices will receive increases during the course of their apprenticeship based on the amount of work and class hours they successfully complete.
Apprentice wages are based upon a percentage (%) of the Inside Wireman Journeymans hourly wage rate and advancements are made during the four sessions (years) of apprenticeship.
As of March 1st 2025, the hourly pay rate for Inside Wireman Journeyman's = $37.95 per hour *plus benefits.
Inside Wireman Apprentice Pay Rates as of 3/1/2025
1st Period $20.11 hr. *
2nd Period $22.01 hr.*
3rd Period $22.77 hr.*
4th Period $25.05 hr.*
5th Period $27.32 hr.*
6th Period $30.36 hr.*
Applicants that are accepted into the Inside Wireman Apprenticeship will also be responsible for books, online course registration and tuition and a Mac or Windows-based laptop computer. In each of the 4 sessions (years) there will be 2 registration days: New Session Registration and Mid-Session Registration. The current cost for each registration day is $600.00. The total cost of completing the apprenticeship is $4800.
All Post Apprenticeship Acceptance offers are contingent on passing a Post Offer Drug Screening.
Please read the Apprentice Guidelines 2025 below for information on how we run the apprenticeship program.
Download:
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