Training electricians for more than 60 years, the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee’s (NJATC) goal is to provide the highest quality training for those interested in a career in the electrical construction industry. The NJATC is co-sponsored by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Together, they invest in excess of $100 million annually to train over 70 thousand apprentices and journeyman in our craft. The NJATC'S training programs are registered in all 50 states and meet the U. S. Department of Labor's strict criteria for such programs.

Our local Baton Rouge Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) is simply an extension of the NJATC, as is all other local JATC'S located throughout the Nation. Our local training program, financed by our members without any taxpayer funding, is both state and federally approved.

What Do Electrical Workers Do?

Typically, electrical workers belong to one of four specialty classifications. A brief description of the classifications is as follows:

Inside Wireman are electrical workers who install the power, lighting, controls and other electrical equipment in commercial and industrial buildings.

Outside Linemen are electrical workers who install the distribution and transmission lines, that move power from a power plant to a factory, a business, or your home.

VDV Installer Technicians are electrical workers who install circuits and equipment for telephones, computer networks, video distribution systems, security and access control systems and other low voltage systems.

Residential Wiremen are electrical workers who specialize in installing all of the electrical systems in single-family and multi-family homes or dwellings.

How Can I Become An Apprentice? Each of the four types of electrical work share common skills and knowledge. Each also has other skills and knowledge, which are specific to that particular area of work. Because of these differences, each type of work has a different apprenticeship program associated with it. Basic requirements for becoming an apprentice in any of the programs are similar, however. The following requirements are standard requirements for individuals applying to be accepted into a NECA/IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Program (JATC) or NECA/IBEW Area Wide Joint Apprenticeship Program (AJATC).

Minimum age 18
High School Education
One Year of High School Algebra
Qualifying Score on an Aptitude Test
Drug Free
Valid Driver’s license

You will be challenged on many levels. Becoming an electrician requires a great deal of knowledge and skill in the field as well as learning to conduct yourself in a professional manner on every job you encounter. Most importantly, you must become completely proficient in all of the safety issues that electricians confront on a daily basis. Our local JATC will provide you with all the tools you need to accomplish this, enabling you to secure a career as a trained, skilled craftsman in the electrical industry.

Apprentice Obligations: The term of electrical apprenticeship is a five (5) year training obligation, with a minimum of 8000 hours in On-the-Job Training and a minimum of 1000 classroom hours. The local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) assigns apprentices to work for qualified electrical contractors, under the supervision of a skilled journeymen. Apprentices normally work 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, with occasional overtime. He/she will typically attend evening classes, two nights per week, three hours per night. Training is provided FREE OF CHARGE, with the exception of a minimal tuition and book fee.

You can contact the local Baton Rouge Apprenticeship and Training Director, Keith Brand, at (225) 752-4861, or visit the NJATC website at: www.njatc.org , to obtain additional information on any of the above listed classifications.