PROGRAMS

Telecommunications

Telecommunications Job Description

While the Inside Wireman is installing the conduit and power feeders on a project, the Installer Technician is working beside the Wireman, installing the network of low voltage cabling that is used for video, voice and data or other low voltage signaling.

While most installations are in buildings that are partially or fully enclosed to protect from sun, wind and rain; these installations are often installed before air conditioning, heat or permanent light fixtures have been installed in the buildings, many jobs, however, are existing buildings or offices; and some work may be outside under varying weather conditions.

Backbone voice and data cables are routed between the entrance facility, where communication signals enter a building, to equipment rooms and telephone rooms. Voice and data horizontal cables are routed between telephone rooms or equipment rooms and individual workstations throughout the building.

Equipment rooms often contain energized equipment such as hubs, file servers or telephone switches. These devices are configured and connected to the communications network that serves the building and must not be interrupted as a result of work performed by unqualified workers or those only partially trained.

The Installer Technician installs voice and data outlets at workstations. In addition, they install punch down blocks and cross connects in telephone rooms. These may be wall mounted or rack mounted and must be grouped and identified according to specific installation standards. Whether the work is in new construction or in existing office or manufacturing space, the IBEW-NECA craftsman takes pride in the work that he or she has and can perform.

The Electrical Training Alliance trains to TIA/EIA and other industry standards. The Electrical Training Alliance also partners with the major manufacturers in the video, voice and data industry to assure training in the latest technologies including training for manufactures warranted installs.

*These job duties were designated as critical job duties because they must be performed competently if the job is to be performed in a satisfactory manner.

Qualifications

The Utah Electrical Training Alliance accepts applications on a year-round basis.

To qualify for entry into the apprenticeship you MUST meet all the following requirements:

  • Must be 18 years old or older to apply to our programs.
  • Required Documents:
  • Driver’s License or Passport or State Issued Identification Card
  • Social Sec Number
  • Birth Certificate *Applicant may supply supporting identification information such as a United States Citizenship Identification or Passport, but this will not replace the Birth Certificate requirement.
  • High School Transcripts
  • High School Diploma or GED (MUST HAVE COMPLETEDOne year Algebra or Applied Math or Secondary Mathematics II with a PASSING Grade – being a C or higher)*If you do not meet the Algebra Requirement needed to make application, you have a few options:
  • Take the NJATC Tech Math course and provide the documentation needed of having passed the course with a 75% or higher. The website for this class is: electrical training ALLIANCE || Learning Center || Online Tech Math

or

  • Take an Algebra class at a college of your choice, complete an adult education class/packet or take an online class with an accredited institution. Please keep in mind that the school must be accredited by a State Education Agency, and you must receive a passing grade. Once completed, an official transcript/documentation must be submitted to receive completion of this requirement.

APTITUDE TEST: This test is scheduled for you. It will be scheduled after the applicant completes the basic requirements, pays for the application and completes the application document. This test is scheduled on a first come first serve basis based on the completion of the application process. This test will be scheduled 2 weeks to 1 month out depending on availability.  During this time the application should keep studying the topics of the test. For helpful hints please click hereThe applicant will be notified 2-3 weeks before the scheduled test date via e-mail, hard copy letter and text message. Please confirm the test date via e-mail, phone or text with the information provided.

APTITUDE TEST SCORE: The Electrical Training Alliance Aptitude Test was Developed and Validated by the American Institutes for Research. The test is scored on a scale of 1 through 9. After the application is processed and approved you will be notified through email, text and hard copy letter regarding the aptitude test date and time. These dates and times are scheduled by the UETA and cannot be chosen. There is a onetime reschedule allowance. After that allowance reapplication is required. There are free study materials for this exam via our website under Application/Aptitude Test.

You MUST achieve a score of “4” or higher on the electrical industry Aptitude Test Battery. The test is on a scale of 1-9. We do not know how the Electrical Training Alliance scores this exam. Your results will be given next business day.

The Aptitude Test consists of two parts:

Part 1

Reading comprehension, which is 36 questions with 51 minutes to complete the exam. To study for this portion of the test, it is recommended that you read information and have the ability to recall what you have read either by answering questions or having someone quiz your memory.

Part 2

Algebra and Functions, which is 33 questions with 46 minutes to complete the exam.

You will take a short break between the Algebra and Functions test and the Reading Comprehension test. To study for this portion on the test, it is recommended that you review Algebra 1 only, nothing higher. If you are concerned with your knowledge there are study materials on the internet, or you may go to ElectricalPrep.com to attend a refresher course. There are also free study materials for this exam via our website under Application/Aptitude Test. You are to arrive 10 minutes early from your scheduled time. Please allow yourself enough time for travel and delays.

INTERVIEWS: Interviews will take place on an as-needed basis during the year. The interviewers will consider appearance, reliability, interest, attitude, judgment, cooperativeness, and dependability as well as other personal traits. Applicants will be placed on a live ranking list, which are the results from the ratings of the Committee members during the interview, then will be hired based on that the ranking at time of selection. For Interview tips, click here.

PHYSICAL: Applicants must be physically able to do the work of the trade and the job description. These job descriptions can be found on the homepage under whichever program you are interested in. You will also be required to pass a 10-panel pre-employ drug screen and be willing to be put in a random drug testing process. You will also be required to obtain and hold a State of Utah Apprentice Electrical License. This documentation is done after you are indentured into the program and obtained through the UETA office.

RANKING AND INDENTUREMENT:

Based on the interview, applicants will receive an overall score. Applicants will then be ranked on a list according to this final score. As new positions become available in the apprenticeship program, names will be taken off the list in the order that their names appear.

Applicants’ names will remain on this list for up to 1 year from the date of their interview. If you have not been selected within the 1-year period, you may reapply at the end of that period.

Prior to being indentured, applicants selected from the ranking list, must be at least 18 years of age, will be required to pass a drug test and fill out the apprenticeship application for the State of Utah before an indenture agreement can be signed.

If accepted into the program, you may request credit for previous work experience at the time of indenturement. Proper documentation will be required. If it is not turned in on time and according to procedure, there is a chance you will not obtain the credit desired. The Committee’s decision will be final.

REINTERVIEW PROCEEDURE:

To reapply, all you need to do is pay the processing fee again and re-apply through our website.

*If you are reapplying within 5 years of your previous application your documentation will be on file. If it has been longer than 5 years since your lastapplication, you will be required to supply the documentation mentioned.

If eligible, we will call you for the re-processing fee of $30. This processing fee can be made over the phone with a credit or debit card.

What would qualify an applicant for Re-Interview:

1- Applicant may request to re-interview after a minimum of 90 days from the date of their most recent interview with the UETA and has gained a minimum of 450 hours of documented work experience in the electrical construction industry or has successfully completed two (2) or more post-secondary, industry related classes, the applicant is eligible to make a request to be re-interviewed by the UETA by completing the UTEA’s Re-Interview Request Form.

Examples of related classes include Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Advanced Math, Physical sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Industrial Arts, Mechanical Drawing/Drafting, Computer literacy/Programming, Related Vocational Technical Courses.

The UTEA is not obligated to grant a re-interview. The UTEA will respond to the request in a timely manner.

Equal Employment Opportunity Pledge

The Utah Electrical Training Alliance will not discriminate against apprentice applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), genetic information and disability.

Telecommunications Installer Pay and Cost

The Utah Electrical Training Alliance Telecommunication Installer/Technician apprenticeship program is part of a nationally recognized program developed by the Electrical Training Alliance. For more information regarding the Electrical Training Alliance, go to the following link, http://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org

Our apprenticeship program is registered with the Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Graduates of our program receive recognition from the Department of Labor as well as the Electrical Training Alliance. They are recognized across the United States as highly skilled and qualified craftsman.

The Telecommunication Installer/Technician apprenticeship consists of 6000 hours of on-the-job training and three years of related classroom instruction.

The apprentice starts the program at 60% of the current Technician rate of pay, which is based on the current agreement between NECA and the IBEW Local Union # 354. The following table shows the periods of apprenticeship.

In addition to wages the apprentice is covered by an extensive fringe benefit package that includes health coverage for the apprentice and all of their dependents, an annuity plan, three different retirement plans, and life insurance.

Upon Completion of 6000 hours with the related schooling and OJT hours, the apprentice will be advanced to the status of Technician with all the pay and fringe benefits currently in effect.

Tuition / Fees

Tuition: The tuition for the Telecommunication program is $320.00 – 350.00 per semester. There are two semesters a year which equals $640.00 – 700.00 a year in tuition. The tuition is paid through our affiliate Ogden Weber Technical College. You will never attend their facility, but with this affiliation there are benefits to the apprenticeship programs. If you have not attended Ogden Weber Technical College in the past 6 months, or ever, there will also be a onetime fee of $30.00. This is a registration fee and will come due first week of attendance.

Financial Aid: The apprentices that attend the Utah Electrical Training Alliance schooling are not qualified for any financial aid to include Pell Grants, Subsidized nor Un-Subsidized Loans. The UETA has been classified as a “part time” school. The UETA does not have a financial aid department.

If the apprentice cannot afford tuition or books, they are allowed to find their own financial assistance. This information can be verified via US Department of Education Basic Eligibility Criteria at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/basic-criteria and also via Ogden-Weber Technical College on their program information labeled “Financial Aid”.

There are grants from the Utah Department of Workforce Services that can be applied for after acceptance into the UETA apprenticeship programs and are awarded based on the grant/aid requirements at the time of application.

Books / Online Modules: Our apprenticeship is classified as “Blended Learning” which means physical textbooks and online modules. The textbooks and online modules are purchased at the UETA office in West Jordan, UT and must be purchased with enough time to completethe homework due upon attendance. The Telecommunication apprentices will rent the textbooks at a rate of $50.00 per semester.  The purchase of the online modules varies from $180.00 – 450.00 per semester.

Training Standards / Rules and Regulations: These documents are available at the U.E.T.A. office for viewing. As an apprentice you will receive your own set and must sign an Acknowledgement that the apprentice has read and understands the expectations of the program.

Telecommunications (Communications Technicians)

  1. Terminal wrench (Can wrench)
  2. Pliers (as needed)
  3. Small Punch Down tool with 66/110 blade
  4. Snips (Electrician Scissor)
  5. Utility/Cable knife
  6. Tone generator and Probe
  7. Crescent wrench
  8. Screwdrivers (as needed)
  9. Nut Drivers (as needed)
  10. Tape measure (25’)
  11. Flashlight (w/o batteries)
  12. Keyhole (jab) saw
  13. Hammer
  14. RJ-45 & R-11 Crimp Tool
  15. Hacksaw frame
  16. Torpedo Level
  17. Volt/ohms Meter (Multi-meter)
  18. Continuity tester (4-pair)
  19. Butt Set
  20. Awl
  21. Small wire Stripper

Instructions before applying

If you are interested in applying for our program, please make sure to read the following as it makes the application process smooth and transparent.

If you are a construction wireman and currently work with one our contractors, you most likely already have an account with us that is linked to your email address, so click on Reset Password. It will then send a link to your email address with you to create a new one and then you can login and apply.

If you do not work with one of our contractors, you need to create an account.

The two programs we currently offer:

Inside Wireman 
Telecommunications Installer/Technician 

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