JATC Training
Apprenticeship Program
How to Apply
Union Training
Training Labs
Ongoing Training

Without question the best-trained and most experienced apprentice installers and technicians are employed by NECA/IBEW contractors and trained through JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee) programs and courses. The NJATC has partnered with the nation's largest and most recognized manufacturers within the Sound and Communications / Telecommunications industries to ensure state-of-the-art training and to remain on the leading edge of technology. The Northern California region, because of the tremendous emphasis on technology in Silicon Valley, is fast setting the industry standard.

The Apprentice Program

The JATC is a cooperative effort between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The JATC is charged with the responsibility of recruiting and training apprentices to meet the ever-growing needs of the union Sound and Communications Industry.

The IBEW/NECA apprenticeship program provides training in a real-world work environment that includes:

  • Three years of related classroom training, consisting of 150 hours per year, for a total of 450 hours of related technical training.
  • Three years of on-the-job training under the direction and supervision of qualified installers and technicians. Concurrent with classroom training.

Sound and Communications Apprentices learn skills necessary to install, maintain, modify and design local area networks (LANs), telephone systems, fiber optics, security system CCTV, access controls, and system integration. These systems are the backbone of communication for businesses that use both voice and data based technologies.

Thousands of Bay Area men and women have benefited from participation in the Northern California Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee training:

  • 3 year program
  • Provides free education and training to participants
  • Pays apprentices while they learn highly valuable skills
  • Starting pay of nearly $14.00 per hour
  • Pay raises every six months through the completion of the program
  • Apprenticeship graduates are currently earning approximately $25.00 per hour
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To Apply for an Apprenticeship

Applications will be taken on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (12 times per year) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the following locations::

NorCal Main Office
911 Bern Court, Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 453-3101

NorCal Branch Office
3033 Alvarado Street
San Leandro, CA
(510) 351-5282 ext. 21

San Francisco Electrical Training Facility
4056 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 587-2500

Fresno Area Electrical Training Center
5420 East Hedges Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 251-5174

Solano – Napa Electrical JATC
720-A Technology Way
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 251-0315

Tri-County JATC
10300 Merritt Street
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-3063

IBEW Local 302
1875 Arnold Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 228-2302

Santa Clara County JATC
908 Bern Court
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 453-1022

IBEW Local 340
2840 El Centro Road, Suite 115
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 927-4239

Santa Rosa Electrical Training Center
1700 Corby Avenue, Suite F
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 523-3837

IBEW Local 595
6250 Village Parkway
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 556-0595

San Joaquin & Calaveras Counties JATC
1531 El Pinal Drive
Stockton, CA 95205
(209) 462-0751

San Mateo JATC
625 Industrial Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 591-5217

* Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

* List of eligible applicants will expire in 24 months following adoption, in compliance with “California Plan”.


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Union Training-There's no Equivalent

Over 500 apprentices in the 9th District are enrolled in this three-year program hosted at six locations throughout the region. Entry level applicants must pass an exam in one of five areas, including proaudio/video, data phone, asset protection (fire, burglar alarms), CCTV and security, and basic knowledge. Apprentices attend classes two nights a week for three hours a night.

When workers go through the local apprentice level training program, they accrue 450 hours of classroom time over the three-year period. This training includes BICSi apprentice certifications. In addition, workers spend 3,000 hours in the field over the three-year period working under trained supervision. If they meet these requirements, workers reach the installer level. California State certification of this program is being implemented.

In Northern California, 30 cents per man-hour in training is distributed to the local JATCs for training. In 1999, IBEW and NECA contractors spent $805,000 for training in the region.
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Up-to-Date Labs

To keep up with technology, a new state-of-the-art JATC in San Jose includes a classroom specially outfitted with $100,000 of equipment to train Sound and Communications workers for certification. Here Sound and Communications workers can practice on telecom racks, patch panels and communications closets built especially for the lab. Three other locals in Northern California, Local 6, San Frasncisco, Local 595, Dublin and Local 340, Sacramento also have implemented or are planning state-of-the-art labs.
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Ongoing Training

In addition to training Apprentices in the necessary skills required to become a Sound and Communications Technicians, the JATCs also provide an ongoing program of skills update and improvement courses to members at no charge. This program keeps the members current in their respective fields. More information about these programs can be obtained by contacting your Local.
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