economics

Electrician apprentice learns while earning over 100,000 yuan a year

Published September 25, 2026 · 2 min read
A student participates in a hands-on class of the Advanced Electrical program at Apex Technical School in Manhattan, New York, on June 4, 2026. Long looked down upon, skilled trades are booming in the United States, especially among young adults drawn by strong demand — even as artificial intelligence (AI) eats into service-sector jobs. “I think it’s definitely shifting,” said Nizier Lawrence, in his early twenties. Prior to the pandemic, “people weren’t really talking about going to trade school, vocational schools, stuff like that. It was like, go to college, get your four years.” (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)

In the era of inflation, a recruitment drive that combines free vocational training and high salary guarantees has caught the attention of the citizens of New York. The “New York Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry” (NJIC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3 have officially announced the recruitment of 300 electrician apprentices. This program not only provides the opportunity to learn professional skills but also offers a competitive salary, presenting promising career prospects for New York residents interested in entering the technical field.

According to the current union contract regulations, electrician apprentices receive annual salary increases as their skills improve. Starting at $38.85 per hour in the first year, the annual salary exceeds $80,000. By the fourth year, excluding overtime pay, the annual salary can reach over $136,000.

The recruitment requirements are stringent. Applicants must be residents of the New York metropolitan area (within a 60-mile radius of Columbus Circle in New York City) and have resided in the area for a minimum of two years.

In terms of application procedures, only applications requested by registered mail will be accepted. Registered mail submissions will be accepted from Monday, October 19th, until Friday, October 30th (a total of 10 working days) or until 2,000 registered mail applications have been received, whichever comes first.

Interested applicants must send their registered mail to the Joint Apprentice Committee at 158-11 Harry Van Arsdale Jr Avenue, Flushing, NY 11365.

The union reminds that there are only 300 slots available, and they will only accept a maximum of 2,000 applications. Therefore, interested individuals are urged to promptly mail their registered applications. For more information on the recruitment details, visit the official website of IBEW Local 3 at https://dol.ny.gov/ap/jac-ibew-electrical-local.