Applications for the Inside Wireman Apprenticeship will be accepted in last two weeks of June 2026.

Applications will be available online only on the dates listed below. No walk-in applications will be accepted!

OPENS: June 15th, 2026 8:00AM | CLOSES: June 30th, 2026 5:00PM

The website to complete your application and upload your documents will only be accessible during the open-application dates above. You will also not be able to create an account online until the application window opens

Several documents are required on the day you apply. In order to apply, you must have all of them.

1) REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO UPLOAD:

1. Copy of Photo Identification in form of driver’s license (picture-side only), Passport, state ID card, or photo ID with your name.
2. Proof of completion of High School or equivalence (i.e. diploma, GED, CHSPE, or transcript with graduation date), or minimum 2-year associate’s degree from an accredited college
3. Proof of ONE of the following mathematics competencies:
   • • A. Algebra or Calculus with a grade of C or higher. This could be one full year (two semesters) of high school Algebra or one semester of post High School Algebra (Community College, Adult Education). A GED or diploma is not proof of fulfillment of the math requirement. You will need to bring in a school transcript, both official and unofficial are acceptable, in order to show your course and grades. If you took a course that you believe fulfills the requirement but it is not called “Algebra” or “Calculus”, a syllabus/course description must be provided to prove the math taken is in fact “Algebra” or “Calculus”. If you received a grade of CR or P, you must provide a letter or correspondence from your school noting that the grade achieved in that course was at least a 75 (if on a point grading scale) or a letter grade of “C” or above.

   OR

   • B. Provide evidence of having passed the NJATC Tech Math course. Information about the Tech Math course is available at https://electricaltrainingalliance.org/
4. Applicants who have taken and passed the JATC aptitude test within the last two years will be required to submit their notification of passing (ex. JATC email or letter of passing) as proof with their online application.

• Please DO NOT include cover letters, resumes, and letters of reference in your application documents.
• Non-English documents must be translated and notarized with an embossed notary seal.
• Applicants must obtain their own documents.

2) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on the date of filing an application.
• All applicants must be United States Citizens or meet INS requirements.
• Please be accurate and respond to all questions including statements indicating that you are:
  • Physically and mentally able to safely perform or learn to safely perform essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • Able to get to and from work at job sites anywhere within the geographical area that this apprenticeship program covers.
  • Able and willing to attend all related classroom training as required to complete this apprenticeship.
  • Able to climb ladders, scaffolds, poles and towers of various heights.
  • Able to crawl and work in confined spaces such as attics, manholes and crawlspaces.
  • Able to read, hear and understand instructions and warnings.

3) HOURLY WAGE RATE

• Rate as provided in the collective bargaining agreement (currently $30.80 per hour for first year apprentices).

4) CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADE AND ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• An apprentice shall be under the supervision of a Journeyman Electrician at all times. The trade requires physical effort on the part of the apprentice to do climbing, crawling, crouching and working in cramped quarters. Wiring is frequently coded in color for connection purposes; therefore the worker cannot be colorblind. Mechanical ability and finger dexterity is essential. Depending on the job, the work may be performed either indoors or outdoors; with overhead lights or with flashlights.

5) EXAMINATION

• All applicants who meet the above qualifications will be required to take an Aptitude Test.
• Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date, time and place to report for the examination.
• Those with learning disabilities may submit documentation, no older than three years, stating the disability and recommendations for accommodations.
• NOTE: SAMPLE QUESTIONS CAN BE FOUND AT https://www.iprep.online/courses/njatc

6) PRIOR ETA/NJATC APTITUDE TEST TAKERS

• Passing test scores are valid for a period of TWO YEARS from an applicant’s last test
• If an applicant has taken the Aptitude test within the past two years AND received a passing notification (i.e. letter, email, etc.) from that JATC, they must attach that document to their online application
• The SMETA will notify the applicant if they are able to dismiss themselves from taking the Aptitude Test

7) INTERVIEW

• All applicants who pass the aptitude test will be invited to the SMETA for an interview. Applicants will be notified when to appear for this interview.

8) SELECTION OF APPLICANTS FOR APPRENTICESHIP

• Applicants will be selected in the order of their final ranking. Ranking is determined from the interview. Rankings are valid for one (1) year in accordance with Department of Labor (DOL) regulations.
• SMETA does not and will not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship program as required under applicable law and lawful regulations issued there under.
• The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship, shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or age (except applicants that have not met the minimum requirement of 18 years of age).
• United States Military Veterans, Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.
• When an applicant is selected to be indentured into the apprenticeship program, a letter is mailed to him or her notifying them of a scheduled orientation date and time.
• Finally, prior to being indentured each applicant is required to take and pass a drug screen urinalysis.

9) REQUIREMENTS TO BE INDENTURED

• Must pass all the above mentioned requirements
• Must be able to attend classes as required by the San Mateo Electrical Training Alliance
• Must abide by the Standards adopted by the San Mateo Electrical Training Alliance, approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards for the State of California and the Department of Labor for the United States
• United States Military Veterans and Applicants with 4,000 hours electrical experience, see below for more information on Helmets to Hardhats and Prior Electrical Experience application methods.

10) VETERANS OR HELMETS TO HARDHATS APPLICANTS

• To qualify as a Helmets to Hardhat applicant, no documentation other than the following is required:
  1. Completed online application form
  2. A DD-214 form
  3. A government or state-issued photo ID or driver’s license

11) Prior Electrical Experience

• Applicants with a minimum of 4,000 hours of electrical experience may contact the SMETA office at any time to speak with an Administrator about further details
• Applicants must obtain substantiated electrical experience documentation in the form of payroll statements, or a transcript of wages and employers from the IRS by going to www.irs.gov and clicking on the “Get your tax records and transcripts” link