Electrical apprentice program seeks applicants

IEC Pennsylvania, the state chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors, will be accepting applications Feb. 15-23 for its next electrical apprenticeship class, which begins this fall.

The four-year program – registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council – is fulfilling a critical need as more electricians are retiring than entering the field while demand for their ranks is growing, a release explained.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 79,900 openings for electricians are projected each year on average through 2031. The median annual wage for electricians in Pennsylvania was $68,660 in May 2021, which is an hourly wage of $33, not including benefits.

IEC Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program covers residential, commercial and industrial construction and electrical wiring. Those accepted work full-time as apprentices for electrical contractors and attend employer-paid instructional classes in person and online.

“Choosing to become an electrician is an excellent career choice,” IEC Pennsylvania Executive Director Marissa Bankert said in the release. “It is a career that offers great earning potential and a great job outlook. In fact, our apprenticeship program boasts a 100% hiring rate upon completion. And graduates of the program are qualified as experienced electricians, not entry level.”

Applicants for IEC Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program must be age 17 or over and have a high school diploma or their GED. To view eligibility requirements and apply, visit the “Apprenticeship” page of IEC Pennsylvania’s website.

IEC Pennsylvania also offers a state-registered pre-apprenticeship program for high school students and individuals interested in the electrical field. Pre-apprentices gain hands-on experience and opportunities to shadow electricians as they prepare for the apprenticeship program.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer