WATT Program
Powering Your Path to an Electrical Career
WATT - Workplace Alternative Trades Training
Your Bridge to a Career in the Electrical Field – WJETS
Workplace Alternative Trades Training (WATT) is a hands-on pre-apprenticeship program that equips individuals with the practical skills and experience needed for a successful career in the trades. The program offers real-world training in essential trade skills and safety practices, helping participants smoothly transition into apprenticeship roles. WATT is designed to bridge the gap between formal education and real-world employment, ensuring participants are job-ready and confident in their new trades.
For more information, visit their official website.
Electrical Apprenticeship
An Electrical Apprenticeship is a four year program that requires time spent on the job (6,000 workplace hours) along with technical training (4 levels) for 10 weeks per level. To start an apprenticeship in BC, you must be 16/17 years of age, a Canadian citizen or have your permanent residency, and possess a Class 5 license.
To start your apprenticeship with IBEW Local 230, you’ll need pre-apprenticeship education. This can be done either through our union-specific WATT pre-apprenticeship program, or an Electrical Foundations program at an institution like Camosun, BCIT, North Island College, etc. As a WATT graduate, you will naturally begin your apprenticeship with an IBEW Local 230 Contractor. If you’re coming from a different education stream, you can fill out our apprentice application package and submit it to dispatcher@ibew230.org
