Electrician at Champaign-Urbana-Streator-Pontiac Local 601 NECA-IBEW
at Champaign-Urbana-Streator-Pontiac Local 601 NECA-IBEW in Champaign, IL
About This Program
Champaign-Urbana-Streator-Pontiac Local 601 NECA-IBEW sponsors this union electrician apprenticeship in Champaign, Illinois. This JATC program serves a broad area of central Illinois including Champaign-Urbana, Streator, and Pontiac, offering qualified applicants a paid, five-year apprenticeship with IBEW Local 601 union membership and a rigorous blend of field and classroom training.
Apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training on commercial, industrial, and institutional electrical projects across the region alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Classroom learning covers the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, wiring methods, transformers, motor controls, and OSHA safety requirements. Wage increases accompany each year of progress through the program.
Upon graduation, apprentices earn journeyman electrician status and full IBEW Local 601 membership. The Champaign-Urbana area's combination of university facilities, healthcare institutions, and commercial development creates ongoing demand for skilled union electricians, while the broader service territory extends opportunities across central Illinois.
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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