Apprenticeship Qualifications, Requirements and FAQs

If you are applying for an apprenticeship at City Light, you must meet the following requirements for consideration:

• Be a U.S. citizen or have legal permission to be employed in the United States
• Be 18 years of age or older by the time of hire
• High school graduate or equivalent, vocational school graduate, or associate degree awarded
• A minimum of one year of high school or one semester or quarter of post-high school algebra, geometry, or trigonometry with a minimum grade of 70%, or successful completion of the Basic Electricity and Applied Mathematics class (BEAM)
• Have a valid Washington State driver's license by the time of hire
• Submit a current complete driver's record from the Department of Licensing
• Able to provide the documentation necessary to prove you meet all conditions listed above

Cable Splicer, Electrician Constructor, Generation Electrician Constructor, and Meter Electrician

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicants for these apprenticeship positions must also satisfy at least one of the following:

• One year of high school training in electrical theory
• Six months of high school training installing, configuring, maintaining, or repairing electrical equipment
• One semester of post-high school level training in electrical theory
• One semester (at least 15 weeks) of post-high school level training in installing, configuring, maintaining, or repairing electrical or electrical utility equipment
• Three months prior experience (paid or volunteer) applying electrical theory or installing, configuring, maintaining, or repairing electrical or electrical utility equipment
• Four months prior experience (paid or volunteer) handling or assisting in installing and/or configuring electrical equipment or electrical utility equipment
• Completion of the Basic Electricity and Applied Mathematics (BEAM) Class

Basic Electricity and Applied Math (BEAM)

The BEAM Program is being reformatted to meet changing workforce needs. Once BEAM becomes available, interested applicants will be notified of the next step in the process.

For more information about BEAM, or to be placed on the BEAM mailing list, contact us today.

If you need help with math, tools, or driving skills, here are some resources for additional preparation. This is only a sample list and we encourage you to search for additional resources on your own to prepare for an apprenticeship at City Light.

Books

• Practical Math (American Technical Publishers)
• Practical Problems in Mathematics for Electricians (Stephen L Herman)
• Delmars Standard Textbook of Electricity (Stephen L Herman)
• Ugly's Electrical Reference Guide (Charles R Miller)
• Basic Electricity (Van Valkenburgh)

Web Resources

• Ohm's Law
• All About Circuits

Technical Colleges and Vocational Schools

• Bates Technical College, Tacoma, WA
• Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood, WA
• North Seattle College, Seattle, WA
• ANEW, Renton/Seattle/Kent, WA
• Avista/SCC Lineworker School, Joint Program through Avista & Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA (Duration: 16 weeks)
• Northwest Lineman College, Oroville, CA; Meridian, ID; or Denton, TX (Duration: 15 weeks)
• VOLTA Line School, Northwest Line Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Warrenton, OR (Duration: 10 weeks)
• Northwest Electric Meter School, Program sponsored by Western Energy Institute at North Seattle Community College, Seattle, WA (Duration: 5 days)

We offer the following apprenticeships:

• Pre-Apprentice Lineworker
• Cable Splicer
• Electrician Constructor
• Generation Electrician Constructor
• Meter Electrician

Learn more about these positions on our Apprenticeships home page.  

Pending business need/budget, our hiring processes for the apprenticeship programs typically open and close for application one time during the year. Applications can be submitted online when City Light has opened a position. 

• January-February - Cable Splicer, Electrician Constructor, Generation Electrician Constructor, and Meter Electrician   
• Late Summer/Early Fall - Pre-Apprentice Lineworker   

Sign-up to receive a notification for when applications open:

1. Visit City of Seattle Job Opportunities. 
2. Click on “menu” in the upper left-hand corner of the page and select “Job Alerts.”
3. Place a check in the box next to "Construction Trades" and “Utilities” to receive email notifications.
4. Click the 'Subscribe' button and fill out the information.
5. Click the 'Submit' button.

When City Light is accepting applications for apprenticeships, you can apply through the Seattle Job Opportunities portal. Search for the job title you are looking for: Pre-Apprentice Lineworker, Cable Splicer Apprentice, Electrician Constructor Apprentice, Generation Electrician Constructor Apprentice, and Meter Electrician Apprentice. 

Be sure to read the job description and follow the instructions provided. With your online application, you MUST submit the following:

• A school transcript showing that you completed a minimum of one year of high school or one semester or quarter of post-high school algebra, geometry, or trigonometry with a minimum grade of 70%, OR your certificate showing successful completion of the Basic Electricity and Applied Mathematics class (BEAM) (if you've already completed it). 
  • Trade School math will also be accepted.
  • Unofficial transcripts can be accepted with your application in-lieu-of your official transcript. Background checks will require official transcripts.
• A current Full Drivers Abstract showing your driving history. Please check with your state’s Department of Licensing for this document.

Applications without the above documentation will not be considered.

If you need help with math, tools, or driving skills, see Other Resources.

Successful completion of a Basic Electricity and Applied Math (BEAM) class qualifies you to apply for a City Light apprenticeship if you meet the minimum requirements, but it is not required. It also does not guarantee you will be accepted into an apprenticeship program.

BEAM is designed for applicants who feel they do not meet the basic electricity and math requirement of the conditions listed under Minimum Qualifications for Apprenticeships (see above). 

• If you meet the math requirement, you can test out of the BEAM portion of the class once enrolled and take the electrical portion of the class instead.
• You can meet the electrical requirements in other ways that are paid, volunteer, job shadowing, YouTube Videos, home improvement, etc.

See more about BEAM.

Yes. Apprentices are represented by IBEW Local 77 for electrical crafts.

Yes. If you are a veteran and meet the eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 10% (10 points) are added to your final written test score per the education benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). Please note, you will need to upload your DD214 showing an Honorable Discharge with your application to receive this benefit.

No. Each apprentice will begin at Step 1 of their apprenticeship program.

Yes. Anyone who meets the qualifications and requirements may apply. However, applicants who are invited to advance in the hiring process will be required to attend an on-site, working test as the second phase of the hiring process. 

Yes. You can learn more on the City of Seattle Human Resources Department website.