IBEW and NECA Technical Institute

In 1906, the Electrician Apprenticeship Training Program was established. Thus began a commitment by IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago--the Chicago and Cook County Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors’ Association--to producing the most highly skilled electricians in the country. After World War I, the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee was formed to design and implement intensive training programs.

Today, IBEW Local 134 and the ECA continue to sponsor one of the best training programs in the country. At its peak in 2001, the combined enrollment of the three apprenticeship programs topped more than 2,500 apprentices. The program constantly breaks ground with cutting edge training in new and advanced technologies in the telecommunications field and in the area of safety. The training programs are conducted from two campuses with a combined training area of approximately 140,000 square feet. The main campus, The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, is located on 29 acres in Alsip, a suburb of Chicago. The Chicago campus is located at the Westside Technical Institute of Richard J. Daley College. An experienced staff of 20 full-time instructors trains apprentices for highly technical work in the electrical industry. The recent multimillion-dollar renovation of the training facilities speaks to a commitment to produce the most highly trained electricians in the industry. Each apprentice who completes the training program is assured of an opportunity to work in the electrical industry.

In addition, through collaborative agreements with Daley College, apprentices can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Construction Technology or Communications by completing 12 general education credits during their apprenticeship. For those who want to further their education, the AAS degrees are fully transferable toward bachelor’s degrees at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Technology and Management and Northern Illinois University in Telecommunications.

Today IBEW Local 134, one of the largest IBEW local unions in the country, serves approximately 17,000 member electricians in Chicago and Cook County. Nearly 1,000 electrical contractors are represented by ECA Chicago. Together, the two organizations continue the tradition of collaborating to meet industry challenges, training future electricians, undertaking collective bargaining and ensuring the welfare of their members.

The more than 100-year-old partnership between IBEW Local 134 and ECA Chicago has achieved an impressive list of accomplishments: technological innovation, improved working conditions and benefits, safe and high quality electrical work, the best-trained electricians in the country and customer satisfaction. From installation of Chicago’s early telephone system to wiring the city’s historical landmarks and skyscrapers, to providing critical infrastructure support, IBEW Local 134 and ECA Chicago have played a vital role in the growth of Chicago and Cook County. They continue the tradition of serving as a reliable team for the benefit of the city of Chicago, Cook County, their residents, and their customers.

For more information on these programs, please go to www.ejatt.com. You can also visit www.electrifyingcareers.com for additional IBEW and NECA career information.

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