Electrician at Ibew-Neca Local #176 JATC
at Ibew-Neca Local #176 JATC in Joliet, IL
About This Program
IBEW-NECA Local #176 JATC sponsors this union electrician apprenticeship in Joliet, Illinois. This joint program between IBEW Local 176 and the National Electrical Contractors Association serves Will County and the surrounding region, providing a structured five-year path into the electrical trade with union wages, benefits, and paid training from day one.
Apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside licensed journeyman electricians on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects in the Joliet area. The 576 hours of related technical instruction delivered through the JATC covers electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, conduit systems, switchgear, blueprint reading, and workplace safety practices.
Upon graduation, apprentices earn journeyman electrician status and IBEW Local 176 union membership. Joliet and the greater Will County area serve as a major logistics and industrial hub, providing journeyman electricians with diverse and consistent work opportunities. Union membership ensures access to negotiated wages, health benefits, and retirement contributions.
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.
How to Apply
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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