what does it take to be an apprentice?
Step 1 - Get Hired: Apply for a job with Boone Electric. Current openings are available on Indeed. If you'd like to get on the interest list for notification of openings, you can register for our mailing list on our Contact page. (Note: As a mid-size shop, our openings are periodic based on workload and available supervision.) You can read more about the requirements of apprenticeship in our PEAC Program Standards Document. You will need to provide documentation of meeting the prerequisite education requirements at hire. (Pass one year of Algebra with a C or better, graduation from high school/GED. Full details in program standard.)
Step 2 - Get Registered: Once offered employment, register as an Apprentice with the PEAC Training Coordinator and obtain your Apprentice Card from LNI.
Step 3 - Learn, Earn, & Get Ready: Gain on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician. You'll need at least 8,000 on-the-job hours during your apprenticeship. (Approximately 4 years of work experience.)
While working, you'll also attend classes in the evening after work to learn electrical theory, code, and other necessities to building your career as a professional.
Each month, you'll turn in hours worked to the PEAC Training Coordinator, so the Performance Electrical Apprenticeship Committee can track your training progress.
During your apprenticeship, your performance will be evaluated, and you'll increase your earning power as your skills advance. Your pay is based on a % of journey level starting wages for every 1,000 hours worked. (Approximately six months.)
Step 4 - Test: After successfully completing your training and submitting required documentation to LNI Electrical Licensing, you'll sit for your electrical exam, pass, and become a journey level Electrician licensed in the State of Washington!
Step 2 - Get Registered: Once offered employment, register as an Apprentice with the PEAC Training Coordinator and obtain your Apprentice Card from LNI.
Step 3 - Learn, Earn, & Get Ready: Gain on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician. You'll need at least 8,000 on-the-job hours during your apprenticeship. (Approximately 4 years of work experience.)
While working, you'll also attend classes in the evening after work to learn electrical theory, code, and other necessities to building your career as a professional.
Each month, you'll turn in hours worked to the PEAC Training Coordinator, so the Performance Electrical Apprenticeship Committee can track your training progress.
During your apprenticeship, your performance will be evaluated, and you'll increase your earning power as your skills advance. Your pay is based on a % of journey level starting wages for every 1,000 hours worked. (Approximately six months.)
Step 4 - Test: After successfully completing your training and submitting required documentation to LNI Electrical Licensing, you'll sit for your electrical exam, pass, and become a journey level Electrician licensed in the State of Washington!
FAQ
When are classes?
Classes are one or two nights a week (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs) at one of the PEAC training locations. Currently: Clover Park Technical College (Puyallup) and North Idaho College Workforce Training Center (Spokane.) Note that class schedules vary by year based on instructor availability.
How does tuition work?
PEAC covers tuition for enrolled apprentices. You are responsible for purchasing your own text books.
What curriculum is taught in the classroom?
PEAC uses a nationally recognized curriculum for electrical instruction, the NCCER Electrical program. This curriculum is also supplemented with other industry texts.
Does my classroom training count for my Apprentice/Trainee card renewal?
Yes, so long as you meet attendance requirements.
I'm a Perry grad, do I start with year 1 PEAC classes?
Graduates of Perry Tech's electrical program may start in year 3 with 540 hours of RSI credit per the program standards update in October, 2023.
Is employment with Boone Electric the only way to be a PEAC Apprentice?
Yes. Maintaining employment with Boone Electric or one of the other company DBAs is required to become an apprentice with our program.
Are there any age or education prerequisites be a PEAC Apprentice?
You must be age 18.
You must be have one of the following:
What makes a good Electrical Apprentice?
You might enjoy being an electrical apprentice if you're:
Labor & Industries hosts a website where you can view the program standards document.
Can I work as a Trainee only and not register for PEAC given the temporary exception allowed by L&I Electrical Licensing through 2026?
Trainees can only work with us in residential or low voltage specialty teams/scopes of work. PEAC does not have a variance to allow trainees and registered apprentices to work together on 01 scopes of work.
I'm confused about who can perform 01 (commercial/industrial) electrical work after 7/1/23. Can you clarify?
See the L&I website for more official information.
Classes are one or two nights a week (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs) at one of the PEAC training locations. Currently: Clover Park Technical College (Puyallup) and North Idaho College Workforce Training Center (Spokane.) Note that class schedules vary by year based on instructor availability.
How does tuition work?
PEAC covers tuition for enrolled apprentices. You are responsible for purchasing your own text books.
What curriculum is taught in the classroom?
PEAC uses a nationally recognized curriculum for electrical instruction, the NCCER Electrical program. This curriculum is also supplemented with other industry texts.
Does my classroom training count for my Apprentice/Trainee card renewal?
Yes, so long as you meet attendance requirements.
I'm a Perry grad, do I start with year 1 PEAC classes?
Graduates of Perry Tech's electrical program may start in year 3 with 540 hours of RSI credit per the program standards update in October, 2023.
Is employment with Boone Electric the only way to be a PEAC Apprentice?
Yes. Maintaining employment with Boone Electric or one of the other company DBAs is required to become an apprentice with our program.
Are there any age or education prerequisites be a PEAC Apprentice?
You must be age 18.
You must be have one of the following:
- High school diploma
- GED
- High School Equivalency
- Associates degree from a school accredited by a State Education Agency
- 1 full year of high school Algebra with a "C" or better
- Equivalent post high school Algebra with a "C" or better
- Current math placement results from a community college facility indicating placement level beyond high school level algebra
- Provide certificate of completion from an approved online tech math course
What makes a good Electrical Apprentice?
You might enjoy being an electrical apprentice if you're:
- Willing to learn and apply electrical code to diverse situations.
- Able to demonstrate attention to detail in neat, clean electrical work.
- Desire to learn the theory behind electricity and how to apply it to design electrical systems on the job.
- Like a strong team environment and are willing to learn from others.
- Enjoy hands-on, physical work where you can take pride in your tasks and see results.
- Like using power and hand tools on a daily basis.
- Comfortable in hot and cold construction conditions.
Labor & Industries hosts a website where you can view the program standards document.
Can I work as a Trainee only and not register for PEAC given the temporary exception allowed by L&I Electrical Licensing through 2026?
Trainees can only work with us in residential or low voltage specialty teams/scopes of work. PEAC does not have a variance to allow trainees and registered apprentices to work together on 01 scopes of work.
I'm confused about who can perform 01 (commercial/industrial) electrical work after 7/1/23. Can you clarify?
See the L&I website for more official information.
- Generally, state registered apprentices or 01 journey level electricians can perform 01 work in Washington as of 7/1/23.
- Trainees with at least 3,000 hours logged via affidavit with electrical licensing before 7/1/23 can legally work and finish their 8,000 if they do so before the 2026 deadline so long as they work for a contractor who is either not in an apprenticeship program or in a program that has a special variance to allow employing trainees. (PEAC does not have this variance.)
- Trainees who don't have 3,000 hours as of 7/1/23 and are not also registered apprentices will likely have their affidavits for 01 work performed after 7/1/23 denied by L&I.