The State of California Electrical Trainee Program allows you to legally work as a registered electrical trainee, while fulfilling the requirements toward earning your state electrician certification.

The Redwood Empire Electrical JATC Construction Wireman (CW) Trainee program is offered as a courtesy to IBEW Local 551 union members. The program is facilitated through bi-monthly classroom instruction and an online learning platform.

As with all of our instruction, the CW Trainee program is here to serve career-minded individuals* who demonstrate exceptional aptitude, integrity, motivation, and work ethic. For those CW trainees who put in the effort, we offer training to help you achieve a dignified, lifelong career in the electrical industry.

The CW Trainee program is not a pre-apprenticeship program. The course curriculum allows you to legally work while you are studying to pass the state exam, so that you may receive your California Electrician Certification. Please read below to understand your responsbilities to participate successfully in this program.

* In accordance with Title 29 (part 30) of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Redwood Empire JATC ensures equal opportunity to all apprentices and trainees, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, age (40 years or older), genetic information, or disability.

The REJATC CW Trainee program is registered and approved with the State of California. It meets the minimum requirements for you to maintain your trainee card, which allows you to continue working as a registered electrical trainee.

• The Redwood Empire JATC is the state-approved trainee school listed with your regsitration application to the State of California.

• To maintain your license as a CW trainee, you are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of certified instruction each year.

• The CW Trainee program consists of five years of classroom instruction for a total of 750 hours, along with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT).

• NOTE: It is your sole responsbility to renew your trainee license every year.

As part of the REJATC CW Trainee program, your responsibilities as an electrical trainee include:

• You must keep your electrical trainee card current and valid with the State of California.

• You must keep your contact information up-to-date with IBEW Local 551 and the REJATC.

• You must attend every scheduled class, in-person or online, as instructed by the REJATC.

• You must successfully complete all of the necessary coursework & assignments (with a score of 75 or above) in a timely manner, prior to your scheduled classes.

• If you have two unexcused absences from classroom instruction, you will be dropped from the class roster, and the State of California will be notified that you are no longer registered in the REJATC CW Trainee program.

• If you do not complete the coursework before your trainee card expires, the REJATC will not renew your trainee card; you will have to re-apply for a new trainee card with the State of California. As well, you will have to re-register and make payment to the REJATC again for the annual coursework.

Please note that if you do not abide by the terms of your trainee contract:

• You will be dropped from the REJATC CW Trainee program roster.

• The State of California will be notified that you are no longer registered in the trainee program.

• Your contractor will be notified that you are no longer a State registered electrical trainee.

• You will not be able to renew your electrical trainee card through the REJATC.

Here, below, you can register to take industry-standard, online courses for the CW Trainee program.

This is a five-year program consisting of 150 hours of classroom instruction every year. Classes are held two evenings each month, from September through May, with additional coursework facilitated through an online learning platform. A textbook is not necessary, except in Level 5 of the program.

      Level 1 Courses                                Level 2 Courses                                    Level 3 Courses

      • ALEKS Online Math                                        • AC/DC Electrical Systems 201                        • AC/DC Electrical Systems 301

      • First Aid/CPR/AED                                         • Electrical Power Distribution 101                    • Electrical Power Distribution 201

      • OSHA 10                                                          • Electric Wiring Systems                                    • PLC/VFD Wiring Systems

      • AC/DC Electrical Systems 101                    • Solar Concepts                                                   • Rotating Electric Machines

      • Electrical Fabrication 101                             • Alternative Energy                                             • Wound Rotor Motor

      Level 4 Courses                                Level 5 Courses

      • Motor Troubleshooting System                   • Codeology Based on the NEC

      • Reduced Voltage Starting                             • State Exam Prep Course

      • SCR Speed Control

      • Electric Motor Control

      • Advanced Motor Control

NOTE: The curriculum is designed as a complete program. The course levels build on themselves sequentially. It is not recommended to take higher level courses before you have taken the lower ones. If you have questions which level is right for you, please discuss with the training director.

After you choose your level of coursework and make payment, using the registration form below, the REJATC will provide you access to the Amatrol or Electrical Training Alliance Learning Management Systems (LMS). If you are a new CW trainee, we will give you instructions for how to log into and use the LMS online learning platform.

As a registered electrical trainee, you will receive an official, signed letter from the REJATC stating that you are enrolled in the CW program. As part of your application to the State of California, you will need to include a copy of this letter to receive (or maintain) a current and valid trainee card, so that you are allowed to legally work as an electrical trainee in California.

REGISTER FOR ONLINE COURSEWORK

This is a simple, two-step process. Please submit your personal information, and then make payment to register for your annual coursework.

Step 1: Please enter & submit your personal information using the form below:

Here are resource links to apply for your State of California electrician license or trainee card: