Pre-Apprenticeship

The intent of the NECA-IBEW 48 Pre-Apprenticeship Program is to target under-represented, disadvantaged, or low skilled workers.

Please read the following information carefully. You must meet #1–5 of the requirements:

1. Have an open application for the Inside Electrician program or the Limited Energy Technician program, have interviewed, and have received an email from NIETC informing you of your eligibility. This means you have already applied, aptitude tested, and interviewed for either the Inside Electrician or Limited Energy Technician apprenticeship program. This process can take 3 or more months. 
2. Valid driver’s license
3. 18 years of age or older by the last day of class
4. Ability to pass a substance abuse test. The pre-employment drug test does not test for cannabis, however, the customer your contractor works for may require cannabis testing
5. Agree to participate in job coaching with WorkSystems’s network of community-based career coaching providers

• *If a veteran, submit a copy of your DD-214
• **If you are eligible because of a disability, submit signed documentation of your disability and necessary accommodation from your medical provider (dated within 5 years)
• ***If you are applying as a low-income applicant, please click on this link for documentation instructions

There is no cost for this program. The classroom training is unpaid.

Pre-Apprentices will receive:

• Consideration for direct entry into the Inside Electrician or Limited Energy Technician Apprenticeship Program upon program completion
  • Evaluations include completion of classwork, professionalism, reliable attendance, and demonstration of an aptitude for the trade
  • When job assignments become available, we will make them and assign them according to rank order
  • It is important to understand the availability of job assignments depends on the economy, and pre-apprentices should have another option for employment in the event they need to wait until an assignment is available
• School books and tools. Pre-apprenticeship graduates will receive ownership of these if selected for direct entry
• Grant funding allows us to provide a stipend, work boots, and rain gear to our 2025 classes

Please note:

Dependable transportation is a necessity for training and employment in the electrical industry. An electrical worker reports to their job site, which might be over 50 miles away, often by 6:00 am. Public transportation is rarely adequate. Given the hours and location of the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center and on-the-job training, public transportation may fail to get you to and from home to the job site, to class, and back home. 

If you are granted direct entry, this is the geographical area where you can expect to be assigned for your on-the-job training: State of Oregon: Clatsop, Clackamas, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington Counties and Yamhill County north of Section Line T45. State of Washington: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum Counties.