Q. What approved apprenticeship occupations does ABC Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter train in?

A.  Electrical (inside wireman).  The Electrical Apprenticeship Program is a 4 years program consist of 8000 hours on-the-job training and minimum of 604 hours of classroom instruction.

Q. Must I have experience in the trade to apply?

A. No. Apprenticeship is a paid learning and training opportunity. You will learn on-the-job skills with a journeyman from a participating ABC contractor. Theory and additional practical applications will be learned in the classroom.

Q. How long will it take me to get into the program?

A. Applications are accepted year-round. All applicants must apply in person at the ABC offices, M-F, 8:30am to 4:00pm. Eligible applicants for the Registered Apprentice program will be informed of a mandatory aptitude test - The McGraw-Hill's TABE. The TABE encompasses Reading, Mathematics Computation, Applied Mathematics and Vocabulary and is by appointment only. You must attain a 9th grade level and only one (1) retake, with a 60 day wait period, is permitted a year. If you pass the TABE, you will be scheduled for a personal interview. After you've successfully interviewed, you will be required to attend a mandatory orientation. TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM, ALL OF THE ABOVE STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED.

Q. What are the requirements?

A. 1)You must be 18 years of age or older to be eligible. 2)High school completion (Diploma, GED, or transcript with graduation date). Proof of completion from a foreign country needs to be accompanied with an English translation. 2) California Identification Card. 3) Social Security Card.  4.) Proof of employment if employed by an ABC subscribing employer.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Once accepted into the program, apprentices pay for classroom books and their basic tools for the trade. Cost is approximately $110 per year for books.

Q. When will I attend school?

A. It depends on when you are accepted into the program. The program is comprised of two 21-week semesters per year - Fall Semester and Spring Semester. The Fall semester begins in late August - early September; the Spring Semester begins in late January or early February. Classes are held one night per week for four hours. Classroom attendance is mandatory.

Q. If I have experience in the trade, must I start at the first level?

A. You can challenge the first two years of the program. To qualify, you must provide 2000 hours of verified experience in the trade for each year you wish to challenge. You must pass the first year challenge with a score of 80% in order to challenge the second year. You will be placed in the program at the level you pass in the testing process.

Q. Who will find me work?

A. Apprentices are placed with contractors who have been approved by ABC's Electrical Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee to train apprentices. Apprenticeship is voluntary. It is something you must want to do. Once you become an approved applicant and ready for dispatch, you will be placed on a list to be sent out to work in ranking order. ABC IS NOT A JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE.

Q. If I am currently working for a contractor, can I continue to work for him as an apprentice?

A. Once you have met all the qualifications and are accepted as an approved applicant, you will be dispatched to your employer - if they are approved to train through ABC and are in good standing. The applicant must be on the sponsor's payroll prior to being accepted into the program. Please remember that you cannot work for this contractor as a registered apprentice until the company is notified by us.

If you have any additional questions, please send us an email or contact our Education Department at (818)898-2099.