Mapping out your career path at an early age can be difficult. Sometimes there’s more questions than answers. Do you enrol in college or university? Are the expenses worth trying to attain your dream job? Do you even know what your dream job is? In this scenario, it’s important to consider all options, and that includes pursuing an apprenticeship in the trades.
Skilled tradespeople are in high demand. The current labour market is in desperate need of people skilled in all sectors, including the electrical trades. That’s where International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1687 comes in. Chartered in Sudbury in 1951, IBEW Local 1687 represents 700 members across Northeastern Ontario that work in all aspects of the electrical trades. IBEW Local 1687 also offers members the chance to earn while you learn through their apprenticeship programs.
An apprenticeship enables you to stay ahead of many post-secondary school graduates by providing hands-on training and job site experience. Pursuing a career in an electrical trade as an apprentice with IBEW Local 1687 helps you gain valuable experience, higher wages, a pension, and a stable long-term career.
Here are the types of apprenticeships offered through IBEW Local 1687, and how to get started:
309A - Construction and Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship - 9000 hours
An Electrician – Construction and Maintenance plans, assembles, connects, installs, repairs, inspects, tests, verifies, and maintains electrical systems in various settings (i.e. residential, commercial, institutional, industrial). Electrical systems include heating, lighting, power, communication, control, security systems and renewable energy and energy storage systems.
An Electrician – Construction and Maintenance also measures, cuts, threads, bends, assembles and installs conduits, electrical conductor enclosures and supports.
IBEW Local 1687 electrician apprenticeships are overseen by the Northern Ontario Joint Apprenticeship Council (NOJAC). This committee is made up of union and electrical contractor representatives who ensure that apprentices develop into skilled electricians during their apprenticeship. They provide mentorship when dealing with work situations, additional training and education resources for trade school and for the licensing exam, and financial assistance when attending trade school. Some advantages of being an apprentice electrician with IBEW Local 1687 and NOJAC are: industry leading wages and benefits, pension contributions from day one, a 4-day work week, and the ability to do everything from residential home construction to building hydro electric dams in Northern Ontario.
Every year, NOJAC hosts their annual General Knowledge Test where candidates from across Northeastern Ontario gather to write a qualifying test. This test is not trade specific. Instead, it’s meant to separate the top percentile, which will then be invited for interviews. The best candidates will then be offered an Electrician – Construction and Maintenance apprenticeship. It’s important to note that you do not need experience in the trade to be chosen for an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are designed to teach you the trade over a five-year period.
The following must be submitted to be eligible to write the knowledge test:
- A completed NOJAC Application Form
- A copy of your High School Transcript and Diploma
- Copies of any Post Secondary Transcripts or Diplomas
- A current resume
- 3 references
To apply for an electrical apprenticeship, please submit the following application.
The annual NOJAC application deadline is 5pm, November 30, 2025
434A - Powerline Technician Apprenticeship - 8000 hours
A Powerline Technician constructs, maintains and repairs overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems and communication networks.
IBEW Local 1687 represents nearly 100 powerline technicians and powerline technician apprentices that are employed with local powerline contractors. They perform transmission and distribution work for mines such as Vale and Glencore, local utilities like Sudbury Hydro, Hydro One, and OPG. As a powerline technician apprentice with the IBEW, you have access to powerline contractors and projects across Ontario and Canada.
If you are interested in a powerline technician apprenticeship, please contact Yan Gervais (contact info is below).
631A - Network Cabling Specialist Apprenticeship - 4600 hours
A Network Cabling Specialist installs, tests, labels and maintains low voltage communication distribution systems and signal sources to the terminal or equipment at the end of distribution systems, which comprise the architecture that supports voice, video and data transmissions within industrial, commercial, institutional and office complexes.
IBEW Local 1687 is a strong supporter in developing the 631A Network Cabling Specialist trade certification. For decades, low voltage data and coms work was never recognized nor held to the same standards as other trades. IBEW Local 1687, in partnership with our local contractors, are looking to set the standard when it comes to industry leading training and wages for data/coms workers. If you are interested in a network cabling specialist apprenticeship, please contact Yan Gervais (contact info is below).
If you are a licensed electrician, powerline technician, NCS technician, or a contractor that is interested in joining the IBEW, or someone interested in an apprenticeship, please contact our Market Development Representative; Yan Gervais at 249-779-9877 or [email protected].