Electrician at IBEW/NECA LU 1 Electricians JATC

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipUnionPaid Training

at IBEW/NECA LU 1 Electricians JATC in St. Louis, MO

About This Program

IBEW/NECA LU 1 Electricians JATC in St. Louis, MO offers one of Missouri's most established union electrician apprenticeships. Jointly sponsored by IBEW Local 1 and NECA signatory contractors, this JATC program prepares apprentices for journey-level work through rigorous field training and classroom instruction, all while earning union wages from the first day.

The program is five years in duration and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices study electrical theory, wiring methods, conduit work, motor and control systems, transformers, grounding, and NEC code compliance — gaining broad skills applicable across commercial, industrial, and institutional electrical projects in the St. Louis region.

Completions earn journey-level status recognized across IBEW signatory employers regionally and nationally. St. Louis's active construction market and industrial base provide apprentices with substantial and varied project experience throughout their training.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$30

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

5 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration5 years
Starting wage$15.00/hr
Journeyman wage$29.61/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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