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Did you know the tradition Apprenticeship and Training was created within all of these sectors. To keep up,
of apprenticeship dates back within the Department of Labor. IEC continues to augment its Four-Year
to ancient Mesopotamia? Today’s apprenticeship programs are curriculum and Electrical & Systems
Training Series (ESTS).
much different than those in ancient
Thousands of years ago in times, but they still play an important Digital content in IEC’s programs has
Babylon, a famous city in role in our country’s economic and increased and evolved. In addition to
Mesopotamia, the art of infrastructural growth. In the U.S., there an online learning platform undergoing
apprenticeship started taking are approximately 533,000 apprentices constant content population, industry
partners have offered a variety of digital
spanning a variety of trades. According
shape. The relationship between to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, resources to propel IEC’s apprentices in
an artisan and his apprentice the electrical industry is expected and out of the classroom. Some of these
was actually supported by to experience a 23% growth rate for resources are visual aids, flashcards,
law. It was required that the electricians between 2010 and 2020. This in-class and homework activities, videos,
and e-books.
rate is higher than the national average.
apprentice be treated like a son.
This created a strong kinship According to the Department of Labor, For ESTS, new courses are in development
between master and student. in FY2017 more than 64,000 students to cover low-voltage/limited energy.
graduated from the apprenticeship In the future, the ESTS program
Apprenticeship also played an essential system. Within the construction intends to offer courses addressing
role in the construction and the arts of sector, there are more than 175,000 renewables, such as solar and wind.
ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It is active apprentices. If you separate
likely that apprentices assisted in the by occupation, there are more than
design and construction of marvels such 45,000 electrician apprentices. A TEACHING MODEL
as the pyramids in Egypt, the Parthenon UNCHANGED
in Athens, and the Colosseum in Rome.
IEC APPRENTICESHIP Although apprenticeships no longer
Fast-forward to the Industrial Revolution. focus on building terra cotta shrines or
The advent of machines created a need IEC has more than 50 chapter carving marble sculptures, the teaching
for skilled workers – such as machinists – training centers nationwide and is model remains the same – a master
as well as semiskilled workers. If a providing training to more than craftsman sharing knowledge and
semiskilled worker showed enough 12,000 apprentices in 2019. This is experience with a student. With a little
aptitude, he would be trained and advance the highest IEC has seen in its history ambition, an apprentice electrician can
to a skilled worker’s job. During this time, and it is only expected to increase. work toward becoming a journeyman
apprenticeships grew in importance as Because IEC students are taught by electrician, a foreman, a project manager,
trade unions were developed. a Master Electrician, or even the owner
instructors with extensive experience
in their field, they graduate with the of an electrical contracting company.
In the early 20th century, apprenticeship To be an apprentice today translates
remained a necessary part of specialized skills and knowledge to work in many to exciting opportunities tomorrow.
industries even though automation different environments—indoor and
began to increase the number of jobs not outdoor, hazardous and nonhazardous,
requiring formal instruction. After World low-voltage/limited energy, medical, Chrissy is the director of curriculum
War I, some industries began offering a residential, commercial, and industrial. development for IEC National.
system of upgrading. The concept was Technology is evolving quickly and often
simple: laborers or unskilled workers could
begin skilled work only after serving as an
assistant to a skilled worker. This offered
the opportunity to advance in the industry. IEC has more than 50 chapter training centers

Soon legislation was established to protect nationwide and is providing training to more than
apprentices and support apprenticeship
programs. In 1937, the U.S. Congress 12,000 apprentices in 2019. This is the highest
passed the National Apprenticeship Act IEC has seen in its history and it is only expected
in an effort to safeguard apprentices.
In the same year, the Bureau of to increase.

www.ieci.org | March/April 2019 | Insights Magazine 35