IBEW Local 136 – Birmingham
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Alabama / IBEW Local 136 – Birmingham
IBEW Local 136 Apprenticeship – Birmingham, AL
Program Information
IBEW Local 136 in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a five-year electrical apprenticeship program through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), in partnership with NECA. This program blends classroom education, lab exercises, and structured on-the-job training to prepare individuals for a successful career as a licensed journeyman electrician. Apprentices gain experience in every aspect of the trade — including wiring residential, commercial, and industrial systems, installing conduits, panels, and lighting, and troubleshooting complex control systems.
The classroom portion is led by certified instructors who emphasize safety, electrical theory, the National Electrical Code (NEC), blueprint reading, and emerging technologies such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), renewable energy systems, and low-voltage data wiring. Apprentices also complete OSHA 30 safety training and first aid/CPR certification as part of the curriculum.
Graduates of this program emerge with the technical expertise and professional certification to work on projects ranging from large-scale industrial facilities to renewable energy installations and commercial buildings throughout Alabama and beyond.
Program Length
The program lasts five years and includes approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 900 hours of classroom instruction. Training schedules typically combine evening classes with full-time employment under a signatory electrical contractor.
Programs Offered
- Inside Wireman Apprenticeship
- Residential Wireman Apprenticeship
- Telecommunications (Low Voltage) Program
Certifications & Career Opportunities
Graduates are eligible for the Alabama Journeyman Electrician License and national IBEW-NECA certifications. They can pursue careers as licensed electricians, foremen, project supervisors, estimators, or electrical inspectors. Some continue their education to become electrical engineers or instructors in IBEW training programs. The program emphasizes long-term career development with excellent wages and benefits.
Program Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED required
- One year of high school algebra or equivalent
- Valid driver’s license
- Pass aptitude test and drug screening
Compensation & Benefits
Apprentices earn competitive wages that start at around 50% of the journeyman rate and increase incrementally throughout the program. Benefits include health insurance, pension contributions, annuity plans, and no tuition costs. Apprentices are paid to learn, graduating debt-free with industry-recognized credentials and strong job security.
We’re still collecting verified tuition and earnings data for this school. Check back soon — College Scorecard updates are made regularly by the U.S. Department of Education.