How It Works

The IEC apprenticeship program is designed to help you become a successful, expert electrician. 

  • All Independent Electrical Contractor apprentices must  work for an IEC contractor member for four years to graduate from the program.

  • IEC staff members will assist you in finding employment with an IEC contractor member.

 

  • The U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) certifies the IEC's Electrical Apprenticeship Program. 

  • Upon completion of the program requirements, you will be certified as a Journeyman Electrician by both IEC and BAT, and registered nationally. 

Program Information

The Independent Electrical Contractors Apprenticeship Program is a four-year program. Once accepted, you will interview with a member contractor for employment and attend apprenticeship classes during the evening, Spring and Fall semester, two nights a week, 3 hours a night at the IEC Apprenticeship Training Center.  At the end of four years in the apprenticeship program, you will receive your State of Arizona Completion Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Under an apprenticeship training plan, people are given broad and comprehensive training in all branches of a skilled occupation. The apprentice works under actual conditions, using the materials, tools and equipment of skilled workers on a real job. The plan provides for school training as well as on the job training. The school training supplements the job training and provides in formation and experience which, in numerous cases, cannot be learned on the job. You will be required to attend 1st Aid/CPR class and Lockout/Tagout class in first year. A 10 Hour OSHA class will be required in 1st year.  

All apprentices sign an apprenticeship agreement that is based upon the apprenticeship standards. This agreement provides for a probationary period of one year. Having successfully passed this period, the apprentice continues with the training program for the required years. 

Instructions for completing the application: 

    • Complete and submit the application by clicking "Apply Now" in the drop-down menu under "Apprenticeship".

      • Attach all required documents stated on the application. 

    • Complete and submit the following which can be found under "Apprenticeship" under "forms".

      • Apprentice Contact Sheet

      • Math Assessment 

    • Your application will not be accepted if any documents are missing.

    • Expected date of application deadline July 23 of each year.   

COST OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Length of Program

This is a 4 – Year Program with a certificate of completion from the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training, Arizona Department of Commerce, Apprenticeship Division, National IEC and IEC of Arizona.

Work/Wages

The Apprentice Coordinator handles placement with an IEC Contractor Member. Apprentices who change employers without the approval of the IEC office will be cancelled. The 8,000 hours On-Job-Training (OJT) is accomplished through the apprentice working for a contractor member. Starting wage is no less than $17.40 per hour (based on average journeyman scale).  Pay increases throughout the four years so that when an apprentice graduates their wage is at or near the journeyman wage rate.

Apprentices shall be paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages, including fringe benefits, if any, based on a percentage of the current journey worker wage rate ($29.00 effective 8/1/25) or prevailing wage as follows: 

1st 1-1,000 hour period (1st yr, 1st Sem) $17.40 (60%)
2nd 1,000-2,000 hour period (1st yr, 2nd Sem) $18.56 (64%)
3rd 2,000-3,000 hour period (2nd yr, 1st Sem) $19.72(68%)
4th 3,000-4,000 hour period (2nd yr, 2nd Sem) $20.88 (72%)
5th 4,000-5,000 hour period (3rd yr, 1st Sem) $22.04 (76%)
6th 5,000-6,000 hour period (3rd yr, 2nd Sem) $23.20 (80%)
7th 6,000-7,000 hour period (4th yr, 1st Sem) $24.36 (84%)
8th 7,000-8,000 hour period (4th yr, 2nd Sem) $25.52 (88%)

Cost

Contractors pay $300.00 to the IEC office, twice a year for Apprenticeship fees. If you are not working for a member contractor, you are responsible for this fee.

Apprentice is responsible for the cost of schooling and books.  Some employers pay the tuition fee or do a payroll deduction for the apprentice.

Cost for tuition, price includes Fall & Spring semesters of school.

Students will not be allowed to attend class if fees have not been paid by invoice due date.

  • 1st year $1,900  ($950 billed each semester)
  • 2nd year $1,900  ($950 billed each semester)
  • 3rd year $1,900  ($950 billed each semester)

  • 4th year $1,900  ($950 billed each semester)

**All prices subject to change