Program Structure
The Electrical Training Alliance of Silicon Valley offers a five-year Inside Commercial Wireman apprenticeship. Apprentices work under journey-level electricians while learning electrical installation and maintenance. Paid employment and benefits accompany the apprenticeship, but job placement occurs as openings become available; selection does not promise an immediate start.
The training center is at 1873 Barber Lane in Milpitas. Apprentices must reach jobsites within ETASV’s jurisdiction reliably and on time. Confirm exact work-area boundaries, travel expectations and the class schedule. Current total work and classroom hours are not stated on the sponsor pages used here, so they are left unconfirmed. California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards separately lists this Inside Wireman program as a 60-month apprenticeship.
Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18, have high school completion or equivalent, and document qualifying algebra: two high school semesters with C or better in each, or a college semester with C or better. The approved Tech Math course provides an alternative. Follow the official rules for sealed or directly transmitted transcripts and clarification of differently named math classes.
A California driver’s license and reliable transportation are required before work referral. Drug/alcohol screening precedes placement. Documented C-10 electrical-construction experience of at least 4,000 hours and qualifying military technical training have distinct exceptions; ask ETASV which requirements apply to your route.
Application Process
Online applications open at 8:00 AM on the first day of each month and are available only during the first three days, with a maximum of 300 applications monthly. The FAQ requires documents by close of business on day three; incomplete applications are purged. Prepare records before the window.
Qualified applicants normally take an aptitude test and oral interview, then join a ranking list for employment. Your rank can change as other applicants interview. The sponsor describes waits of months between steps, not immediate hiring.
What You Earn
Apprentices receive wages and benefits under the collective bargaining agreement. Published starting wages differ between the sponsor and state directory, and their effective dates are unclear; request a current wage sheet before budgeting.
There are no fees for apprentice classes. The sponsor estimates books at approximately $430 per year and tools at approximately $500. These are estimates, not a complete program-cost quote; the application fee and total cost remain unconfirmed. Completion produces journey-level training, while any required electrician certification is a separate process.