Frequently Asked Questions

You will remain on the rank list for two years or until you are indentured into the program. After two years, you will need to re-apply.

Applicants are offered apprenticeship positions based on industry need. NW Line Contractors contact the NW Line JATC when an apprentice is needed on a crew. If all current apprentices are working, the apprenticeship then calls the first person on the ranked applicant list and offers them an apprenticeship position. The number of applicants will vary each year based on Industry demand.

Upon completion of your application, you will be scheduled for an interview. Interviews typically occur every other month through out the year. You will be scored based on a variety of factors during your interview. Your overall score will then determine where you fall on the rank list. If you are not indentured after two years on the list, your name will be removed.

Once you have determined that being a lineman is a good fit, you will need to create an online account. This account can take up to 24 hours to be approved. Once the account is approved, you will receive an email with a link to start your online application.

The rank list is updated following each interview session.

Yes, $35.

During your apprenticeship, you will be required to work within the entire geographical jurisdiction of the program – spanning Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Northern California. These areas fall under the four NECA/IBEW Locals- Local 77, 125, 483, and 659.

Applicants can reapply after three months if they provide documentation of a minimum of 500 hours of industry related work. To re-interview, go to the resources page and complete the Request to re-interview form.

As the country experiences a shortage in trained journeymen linemen, the prospects are in your favor. The experience and training you will receive through NW Line JATC reinforces to employers your quality education and skilled capabilities.
The good news about working as a journeymen lineman is there is no seniority or tenure within the Industry, meaning you can move to the top of your field rather quickly. Upon completion, you have the potential to be promoted to Foreman or some other supervisory position. Advancement in the industry pays no regard to seniority, it is solely based on knowledge and ability. Many journeymen linemen who have transitioned to managerial positions, have taken their technical and managerial skills and pursued careers as educators, independent business owners, consultants, and inspectors, to name a few.

Applicants can re-test every three months.

Classroom instruction is typically eight (8) hours per day and introduces the apprentice to the fundamental building blocks of their trade. Camp Rilea offers the apprentices a chance to apply their classroom knowledge to practical real-world application. Training includes basic skills such as climbing, distribution, transmission hot sticking, as well as safety protocols and guidelines for everyday life in the field.

Previous experience is only awarded in special situations, generally a transfer from another IBEW/NECA program or other registered DOL line construction journeymen.

Initially, you will be required to purchase your own tools. Then a fee of $25.00 per week will be withheld by the contractor. During your apprenticeship, you will be responsible for your own travel expenses.

The apprenticeship program is a 7,000-hour, on-the-job training program completed in approximately 3 1/2 years. During this time, you will advance through seven (7) individual steps, completion of each step granting a pay increase.

Apprentices are required to attend school, which is a combination of online learning, classroom training and hands-on labs.

Previous experience for work performed may be given as credit toward your first advancement, however this will be at the discretion of the Program. Proper documentation must be submitted prior to being indentured. It must be on company letterhead and outline the specific type of work completed. Once your documentation has been reviewed and approved, credit will be awarded accordingly.

You will remain on the rank list for two years or until you are indentured into the program. After two years, you will need to re-apply.

Yes, more points may be submitted in order to move up in ranking. Required documents must be submitted no later than 12pm on the first Monday of each month. Anything received after 12pm, will be added to the following month.

When a contractor needs an apprentice, they will contact NW Line JATC. If all currently indentured apprentices are working, we will notify the top-ranking applicant for the area with the time, date, and location of the work assignment and indenture them as a new apprentice.

Upon completing your application, you will be notified via email of your current score. Remember applications must be submitted by 12pm the first Monday of the month to be considered for that month. Any submissions received after the cut off will be added to the following month’s ranking.

Once you have determined the Tree Apprenticeship is a good fit, you will need to create an online account. This account can take up to 24 hours to be approved. Once the account is approved, you will receive an email with a link to start your online application.

Yes, apprenticeship fees are required – contractors withhold $15.00 per week from your check, which is forwarded to the JATC.

The apprenticeship program is a 4,000-hour, on-the-job training program completed in approximately two (2) years. During this time, you will advance through four (4) individual steps, completion of each step granting a pay increase.

Applications are accepted all year long. The rank list is updated the first Tuesday of every month.

The first Tuesday of every month.

Your application will indicate five separate areas where you would like to work: Northwestern Washington, Southwestern Washington, Eastern Washington, Northern Oregon, and Southern Oregon. You will mark the area(s) you prefer to work in and will be added to the corresponding rank list(s). Once you are called into an area and indentured as a new apprentice, you will only work within that area for the duration of your apprenticeship.

No, there is no application fee.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has created a scholarship to help increase opportunities for women in the outside electrical industry. This is an annual, ALL EXPENSE PAID, scholarship for VOLTA. Any interested applicants must submit a 500-word essay. The prompt can be located on the VOLTA resources page, please refer to the document titled, “VOLTA Women’s Scholarship,” for more information.

Check with the JATC office after February 2024 for upcoming acceptance dates.

VOLTA currently has two locations. One is at the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center, located in Warrenton, Oregon (WEST). The second is at the Parker Technical Education Center, North Idaho College, located in Rathdrum, Idaho (EAST).

VOLTA is a 400-hour program broken down into 10 weeks. Classes run Monday through Thursday for ten (10) hours each day. Class schedules may vary due to holidays and Professional Development days for our staff and faculty.

VOLTA offers three sessions per calendar year: Spring Session starting in April, Summer Session starting in July, and Fall Session starting in October.

VOLTA currently accepts 32 student per session. Students not selected in the first round will be waitlisted.

The current cost is $8,500 which includes the $150 enrollment fee. Student are responsible for their tools, lodging, and meals.

While VOLTA is a State-approved private, non-profit vocational training school, we do not currently accept Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, we do accept various grants, private loans, and external scholarships.

Students can find scholarships in various ways. High school and community college career centers tend to have a database of various grants and scholarship opportunities from national and local organizations like Kiwanis, Women in Trades, and various utility companies. Two great sources that provide funds for electrical training are the Roger Earl Meier Scholarship and the Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship. You can also utilize online search engines like Fastweb: designed specifically as a scholarship matching service.

Application acceptance dates are posted on the calendar and will not be accepted prior to the posted application date. VOLTA applications (with instructions) are posted on the Resource page.