Electrician at Bloomington Normal Area Electrical JATC
at Bloomington Normal Area Electrical JATC in Bloomington, IL
About This Program
The Bloomington Normal Area Electrical JATC sponsors this union electrician apprenticeship in Bloomington, Illinois. As a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it provides a structured and fully paid five-year pathway into the electrical trade for individuals in the Bloomington-Normal metro area, with IBEW union membership and progressive skill development from apprentice to journeyman.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on real commercial, industrial, and institutional electrical projects in the region, gaining hands-on skills in wiring, conduit systems, electrical panel installation, and equipment maintenance. Classroom instruction addresses electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, blueprint reading, power distribution, and job site safety.
Graduates earn journeyman electrician status recognized throughout the industry. Bloomington-Normal's economy, anchored by insurance, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, generates consistent construction activity and demand for skilled union electricians. IBEW membership provides journeymen with union wages, health benefits, and retirement security.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Electrician Career Outlook
National Median
$29.61/hr
~$61,588.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Electrician employment is projected to grow significantly, driven by construction activity, renewable energy expansion, and EV infrastructure buildout. The increasing electrification of buildings and transportation systems creates strong long-term demand. Licensed electricians with experience in solar, battery storage, or industrial controls are especially sought after.
What to Expect as an Electrician Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Electrician
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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