Increase your bottom line — Invest in your workforce
One of your biggest costs is due to unsafe workers. In the first semester of school, all new apprentices participate in Safety and OSHA training. Apprentices are certified in First Aid and CPR. FEAT’s primary job is training apprentice electricians. We also offer advanced training and individualized classes.
FEAT Highlights
- No membership fees
- New classes start twice a year
- Curriculum reviewed/updated every year
- Yearly instructor training by professionals
- Training electricians since 1987
- Over 200 participating employers
What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a training method that has successfully produced craftsmen for centuries. Tradespersons have always known the best way to teach new workers is by using the knowledge of older, experienced journeymen and master craftspersons. By incorporating modern instructional methods and the proven training process of the centuries, apprenticeship has proved to be the most effective way of educating quality electricians for our current and future workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Cost?
The employer is ultimately responsible for the $225 per semester payment. Each semester is 4 months long and the apprentice will be attending 2 class semesters a year. Employers are billed for tuition 2 weeks after the start of each semester. All apprentices must be sponsored by a participating employer. Tuition payments are accepted only from the employer.
Textbooks are usually issued the first night of class. You may pay then, or sign for your book and a bill will be sent to your contractor. Your employer may “payroll-deduct” your book cost from your pay.
Are There Any Restrictions?
Apprentices must be 18 to enter our program. If one of your employees is 17 and completed a registered pre-apprenticeship program (such as ACT), they may also apply for Apprenticeship. There is no maximum age. Although the average apprentice is 28, we have apprentices from 18 years of age to their early 60s.
Due to child labor laws, persons under 18 years of age don’t normally work in the construction trades. An exciting new exception to this rule is high school students involved in construction training programs such as the Academy of Construction Technologies.
How Long Is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a 4 year program. We monitor apprentices´ on-the-job training progress for 8000 hours. There are 8 semesters of related training. FEAT classes are 2 semesters a year — each class is 4 months long. Apprenticeship is a unique training method, because the students earn a real paycheck while in the program.
Where Are Classes Held?
Apprenticeship is a partnership between Industry and Education. Because of this cooperative effort, we are able to hold classes at 3 locations in Central Florida:
FEAT Office – Mid Florida Campus (South Orlando)
Westside Campus (Winter Garden)
Winter Park Campus (North Orlando)
We always try to place students at the location of their choice.
Classes are held from 6p – 9p two nights/week.
Depending on location it could be either M-W or Tu-Th.
Who Are The Teachers?
The best way to learn is from a teacher who has actual hands-on experience in the electrical trade. All FEAT instructors have a minimum of 6 years experience in the trade. Our instructors are electricians, project superintendents, estimators, inspectors or technicians. Over half of our instructors have completed an apprenticeship program.
What Classes Are Taught?
Construction Basics
In the first class, students learn basic skills: conduit bending, blueprint reading introduction, National Electrical Code structure, conductor and tool identification. We spend several nights on Safety, CPR, First Aid and OSHA.
How many people have forgotten how to multiply fractions or work with percentages? Don’t worry — we’ll bring our students up to speed.
Direct Current Fundamentals
Electron Flow, Magnetism, Electro-magnetic force, Volts, Ohms, Watts, Amps, etc.
Electricians have to know how electricity “works”, to work safely with electricity.
Alternating Current Theory
Sine Waves, Induction, Capacitance, Reactance, transformers, motors, etc. AC Theory builds on the knowledge that you gained in DC Fundamentals. Electricians have to know how electricity “works”, to work safely with electricity.
Structured Cabling
Our newest class started in January, 2005. CAT 5E, CAT 6, Twisted Pair and Fiber Optics. Electricians work with specialty systems in both Residential and Commercial Applications.
Residential Wiring
The Residential Wiring class is based on a residential blueprint and all the codes that apply to non-metallic sheathed cable. In addition, you will learn box fill, conduit fill, ampacity reduction factors and voltage drop.
Commercial Wiring
This class builds on what you learned in Residential Wiring and is based on a commercial blueprint.
Industrial Wiring
The National Electrical Code (NEC) is an important “tool” of our trade. Apprentices work with blueprints and learn the code rules as they relate to each of these types of construction.
Motor Control
There are so many ways to control motors. So many applications that this one topic requires a whole semester. Apprentices learn the theory, then practice in the motor control lab.
Is there a FEAT program outside of Central Florida?
Registered Apprenticeship Programs are available in many areas of the US. The US Department of Labor makes it easy to find an apprenticeship program in other areas of the Country.
Search for apprentice programs in counties surrounding the area that you are looking for an apprenticeship program in. Programs are listed by where their main office is located – they may hold classes in a near-by county.
What do Apprentices get paid?
Apprentice wages are based on the current average Journeyman wage. In the Fall of each year, a Journeyman wage survey is sent to all of the FEAT Participating Employers. The results of this survey are compiled and the Journeyman wage becomes effective at the start of the next year. Apprentices are paid a percentage of the Journeyman wage based on the number of OJT hours they have completed. These are minimums that an employer will pay you but in some instances you could be paid more.
0000 – 1000 Hours 50% of the Average Journeyman wage rate = $12.25/hour starting
1001 – 2000 Hours 55%
2001 – 3000 Hours 60%
3001 – 4000 Hours 65%
4001 – 5000 Hours 70%
5001 – 6000 Hours 75%
6001 – 7000 Hours 80%
7001 – 8000 Hours 90%
The Average Journeyman wage rate effective January 1st, 2023 is $24.50
How Can My Employees Apply?
Application for new apprentices is held about 2 months before a new semester starts. This is normally held at the end of June and the beginning of November. If you are a FEAT Participating Employer, we will send you the Registration information to your company. You can always contact the FEAT office for Registration details.
What Rules Govern Apprenticeship?
The FEAT program, apprentices and participating employers must follow the rules listed below:
2022 Standards of Apprenticeship
Title 29 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 29
Title 29 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 30
FL Statute for Apprenticeship Standards 6A-23.004
How Can I Apply?
If you are currently working for a FEAT Participating Employer who has agreed to sponsor you in apprenticeship, you can apply in June or November to enter the Program. Contact the FEAT office for more details.
Would you like to start an Electrical Career? Call FEAT to schedule an appointment and talk to one of our coordinators. We’ll start you in the process.