What is Apprenticeship?

An alternative to the college degree path.

An apprenticeship program teaches you a trade/craft, using both on-the-job training and a classroom environment approach. Programs last 2 to 4 years, depending on your trade – electrical is 4 years. Apprentices gain hands-on experience by working alongside industry professionals in their chosen profession. While in the field the apprentice learns from their journeyperson(s), while in the classroom the apprentice learns from seasoned instructors who are masters of their trade. Often the maturing journeyperson yearns to pass on the knowledge obtained over the course of their career, a natural transition is to instructor. Classroom instructors possess a deep knowledge of their trade, a longing to share this information with many individuals, and help develop the next generation of our electrical force. This is often the maturing journeypersons’ legacy, their true passion shared with many, not just their assigned apprentice.

  • No experience necessary. For many, this is a fresh start at something completely new, for some a chance to start over. An apprenticeship program welcomes individuals of various experience levels and knowledge.
  • Apprenticeship programs are a earn-while-you-learn-model. An alternative to the traditional college experience, you earn a living while you are being taught your trade. Graduate your apprenticeship program without student debt typical of a college degree program. Support yourself and your family while learning an exciting trade that will be with you throughout your career.
  • Paid-for-program. An apprenticeship program is typically funded by the company you work for. Tuition, books, materials are all included. Some programs even have access to the required tools you will need to learn your trade. [Ask your college if tuition, books, and labs fees are fee to you]
  • Build your professional network. Companies participating in apprenticeship programs have a vested interest in your success. You are a valuable asset to their company while you are learning, this value continues after you become a journeyperson in your trade. Enrolled companies in our apprenticeship program do some of the most exciting and high-profile projects being done in our State.
  • You will become highly marketable. Completing your apprenticeship program, you will have demonstrated drive and determination, a willingness to complete a goal and excel in your career. Employers look and reward these traits long after you have graduated.
  • Career advancement. As an apprentice you will have learned valuable skills, morals and ethics that will be with you throughout your career. You can be proud to say you were an apprentice, learned the trade, and are now a journeyperson.
  • Apprenticeship programs promote a diverse workforce. A commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives the program.

ABC of Washington Electrical Apprenticeship Program (“ACE Committee”)

was established for the purpose of developing and delivering education to electrical apprentices, contractors and journey level workers within Washington State. Our focus is to educate and train the current and future workforce to be safe, productive, construction professionals.

Our EEO policy:

The ACE Committee strives to increase the number of women and minorities in the electrical trade and encourages employers and training agents to hire women and minorities with the goal of developing their skills through apprenticeship.

  1. The Committee will distribute information about the nature of the Apprenticeship program, this program’s admission requirements, current Apprenticeship opportunities, sources of Apprenticeship applications, and the equal opportunity policy of this sponsor to each training agent, WSATC, local schools, employment service offices, women's centers, outreach programs and community organizations which effectively reach minorities and women, as well as publish availability on a biannual basis in newspapers which are circulated in the minority community and among women as well as the general areas in which this program is offered.
  2. Participate in workshops conducted by employment service agencies, school districts, and other community-based organizations to create awareness about this program’s Apprenticeship opportunities, including existing outreach programs whose focus is the recruitment and preparation of minority and female apprenticeship applicants.
  3. Use minority and women (minority and non-minority) journeypersons and apprentices to promote the program.
  4. Grant to all applicants, without prejudice, advance standing or credit for previously acquired experience, training, skills, or aptitude.
  5. Periodically audit this Program’s equal employment opportunity plan to see if goals are being met. Develop this Program’s self-monitoring procedures to ensure that equal selection opportunities are being granted to applicants (which may include self-reporting systems and periodic review of the effectiveness of various out-reach programs, community agencies and publications).

Registration 🢒

Registration forms are available and accepted year-round Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm., may be picked up in person at the ABC Western Washington office located at 1621 114th Ave SE, Suite 116 Bellevue, WA 98004 or ABC Inland Pacific Office located at 1760 E Trent Ave, Spokane, WA 99202. Registration forms may also be found on https://www.abcwestwa.org or can be requested and returned to [email protected]. Other interested individuals can obtain information regarding ABC of Washington Electrical Apprenticeship Program via https://www.abcwestwa.org or by calling 425-646-8000. All apprentice have to be hired by an ABC of Washington registered training agent. Start Your Application

Minimum Qualifications   🢒

Minimum qualifications must be clearly stated and applied in a nondiscriminatory manner [WAC 296-05-015(17)].

  • Age 18 Years Old
  • Physical Physically and mentally able to safely perform or learn to safely perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • Testing Be able to read, write and speak the English language and pass the English as a Second Language (ESL) Accuplacer test with a minimum score of 60%. Costs associated with testing shall be paid by the prospective apprentice applicant.
  • Other ABC of Washington Electrical Apprenticeship registered- training agents will provide undisputable documentation to verify the prospective apprentice’s legal working status, a condition of employment, per I-9 requirements, which documentation will be retained by the ACE Committee in the prospective apprentice’s file. Second Language (ESL) Accuplacer test with a minimum score of 60%. Costs associated with testing shall be paid by the prospective apprentice applicant.
  • Education

    General Electrician (01)

    Must be a high school graduate from a school accredited by a State Education Agency; or have a GED; or have completed a High School Equivalency; or have completed an Associate degree or higher from a school accredited by a State Education Agency; and
  • Show evidence of successful completion of: 1 full year of high school Algebra with a passing grade of “C” or better.
  • Applicants who have not completed one full year of high school algebra with a passing grade of “C” or better, may qualify under one of the following:

    1.Equivalent post high school algebra course(s) with a grade of “C” or better.

    2.Current math placement results from a community college facility indicating a placement level beyond high school level algebra.

    3.Provide certificate of completion from a committee approved online tech math course.