Residential Track

(5 Years)

A supportive training program that prepares you for your apprenticeship.

The Residential Track allows you to get a feel for the trade, grow your skills, and get paid while you’re applying for an apprenticeship through the Inside Electrical Track.

Why Choose Residential?

Get Started in the Trade and Earn While You Learn

Earning Upon Completion

Over $57,580* annually, plus $24,167.40 in health and retirement benefits

Online Classes for Maximum Flexibility

The majority of your classes will take place online so you can complete them at your own pace. Some classes will take place at night. This allows you to maximize your work hours during the day.

Hone Your Skills By Working on Smaller Projects

The details matter and there’s no better way to hone your skills than by working on a smaller scale. Apprentices in this track typically work on smaller projects or in prefab shops.

Use Letters of Recommendation to Advance

If you’d like to upgrade to Inside Electrical later, you can use references from your instructors in Residential to optimize your application.

Earn While You Learn

Like all JATC tracks, you’ll earn a rewarding wage throughout your program, which means you aren’t burdened by student loans

What to Expect

Minimum of 168 hours of instruction and 10,000 hours of on-the-job training (designed to be completed in five years).
Gain hands-on experience in branch circuit wiring; light fixture, receptacle and panelboard installation; and blueprint reading.
Take online courses to learn Ohm’s Law, AC/DC theory, safety, basic blueprint reading, and wiring of elementary circuits.
Complete courses at your own pace. You’ll then take a test on each subject. Upon passing, you’ll receive a certification of completion.

As stated on JATC 26.org, “Trainees receive regular increases in pay, they perform similar tasks to other classifications on the same job sites, and they are required to take classes. Unlike apprentices, trainees do not need to pass an aptitude test, do not interview, are not selected off a ranked list, work off their own pay scale, and take classes online/at night instead of in-class during the day. Trainees finish the program with a Residential Electrician classification, different from an apprentice who will be classified as a Journeyman.”

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the Residential track, you will become a certified Residential Electrician with the Local 26. That said, at any time during your Residential Program, you may be accepted into the Inside Electrical Apprenticeship program.

Future Classifications (without Apprenticeship) Include:

Jurisdictional Licenses
Residential Wireman-Rw2 Reclassification
Residential Wireman-RW3 Reclassification

How to Apply

Create your TradeSchool account. Visit TradeSchool, click “Create Account,” and enter your email and password. Check your inbox and spam folder for an email from [email protected]. Follow the link to complete your account information and submit it for approval. If you are not a Local 26 member, leave the member number field blank. If you do not hold a Local 26 classification, select “unclassified.” Approval may take several days. Once you receive your acceptance email, log in to begin your application.
Select your trainee program. Log in with your email and password, open the Application tab, and select “Residential Trainee Metro Area” or “Residential Trainee Roanoke Area” from the dropdown menu.
Request an available-to-work number. After submitting your application, email Roy Reeves at [email protected] to request an available-to-work number as a Residential Trainee. Include your full name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your phone number.
If you have previous construction experience, first complete the IBEW Local 26 Electrical Tradesman Form. An organizer will contact you. Wait to request your available-to-work number until the organizer directs you.
Review the program policies. Read the Residential Statement of Policies to understand the program requirements.