Electricians IBEW Local 405

ORGANIZATION

The Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Electrical JATC is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Iowa Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

NATURE OF TRADE

Heating, lighting, power, air conditioning, and refrigeration components all operate through electrical systems that are assembled, installed and wired by construction electricians. These workers also install electrical machinery, electronic equipment, controls, signals, and communication systems.

Construction electricians follow blueprints and specifications for most installations. To install wiring in factories and offices, they may bend, fit, and fasten conduit (pipe or tubing) inside partitions, walls, or other concealed areas. Workers also fasten to the walls small boxes that will house electrical devices such as switches.

To complete circuits between outlets and switches, they then pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit. They work carefully to avoid damaging any wires or cables. In lighter construction, such as housing, plastic-covered wire usually is issued rather than conduit. In any other components, wires are joined by twisting ends together with pliers and covering the ends with special plastic connectors. When additional strength is desired, they may use an electric "soldering gun" to melt metal on to the twisted wire, then cover them with durable, electrical tape. When the wiring is finished, they test the circuits for proper connections.

For safety, electricians follow National Electrical Code specifications and procedures and, in addition, must comply with requirements of state, county and municipal electrical codes.

Electricians generally furnish their own tools, including screwdrivers, pliers, knives, and hacksaws. Employers furnish heavier tools, such as pipe threaders, conduit benders and most test meters and power tools.

Journeyperson Electricians are not required to have great physical strength, but they frequently must stand for long periods and work in cramped quarters. Because much of the work is indoors, electricians are less exposed to unfavorable weather than are most other construction workers; however, work under unpleasant and uncomfortable weather conditions is not uncommon. They risk electrical shocks, falls from ladders and scaffolds, and blows from falling objects. Improved safety practices have reduced the injury rate.

APPRENTICE TRAINING

In order to become a Journeyperson Electrician, a person receives diversified training in all segments of the electrical field. Electricians participate in an intense, five-year apprenticeship program in electrical theory and practical application of electrical work. The apprenticeship program includes eight hundred hours of classroom instruction on the most up to date technology in the electrical field and 10,000 hours on the job experience.

An apprentice receives training in electrical theory, mathematics, blueprint reading, electrical code, motor control, electronics, welding, first aid/CPR, programmable controllers, alarm systems, high voltage systems, etc.

During the term of training, an apprentice receives progressive wage rates, beginning at 35°,'o - 50% (depending on the area) of the journeyperson's wage rate to 30% - 90% during the last year of training.

There are many employment opportunities in the construction electrician field. Local members have received specialized training and certifications in air conditioning/refrigeration, electronics, grounding, fiber optics, HVAC controls, high voltage splicing, linear electronics, programmable controllers, transformers, motors and motor control, codeology, fire alarms, rigging, welding, computer cable, process control, hazard communications, harmonics and other areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the requirements an applicant must meet in order to apply for an Apprenticeship program:

· Must be 18 years of age

· Must be a high school graduate or its equivalent

· Must have completed one year of high school algebra or one semester of post high school algebra and science.

APPLICATION, SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

To be considered as a candidate for an apprenticeship, applicants must submit copies of an official transcript, birth certificate, diploma/GED and complete an application at the office of the JATC. All applicants who meet the above qualifications and submit the proper documents will be interviewed by the Committee, which will indenture as many apprentices, as needed in the local area.

For more information, contact the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City JATC at (319) 654-9238.