What is the Minnesota Electrical Association (MEA)?

The Electrical Association is a non-profit trade association that was founded in 1928. We are a member-owned service organization that provides information, education, books/forms, and government representation to electrical contractors and their stakeholders.

The Electrical Association supports electrical contractors and electricians throughout Minnesota and all 50 states. It is the voice of assurance for long-term, uncompromising excellence in electrical contracting.

 

What does it mean to join MEA and become a Member?

As an Electrician (or an up-and-coming Electrician), MEA can be the conduit that connects you with all you need to stay current, compliant and successful.

To make education and training as accessible as possible for their members, they offer online and in-person opportunities that meet a wide range of needs. Their educational offerings are ever evolving and currently include:

  • Online and Classroom Continuing Education Classes

  • Online and Classroom Exam Preparation

  • Four-Year Apprenticeship Program

  • Private, Customized Training Courses

  • Registered Apprenticeship Program

  • Business-Oriented Webinars

When you’re ready to join, grab a registration form in the Training Info Center outside of 123 or talk to Erika Dodge (edodge@premiseco.com) for more details.

 

What is the Registered Electrician Apprenticeship Program?

The Electrical Association partners with the Electrical Training Network (ETN) to provide a registered apprenticeship program to their members.
ETN of MN has a set of standards that have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor that all companies accepted into the program must follow.

Related Technical Instruction (classwork outside the workplace) for years 1-4 of apprenticeship run approximately 8-months per year, with live online classes from developed industry experts, held 1 night per week. Additionally, Registered Apprentices are required to do monthly online reporting of their work hours.

The 2023-2024 session runs September 26, 2023 - April 30, 2024 (6:30-9:30 pm CST).
Classes run every Tuesday evening online, and apprentices are responsible for attending and completing all work.
Registrations for the 2023-2024 session is closed.

You can find out more details here.

 

Is it required to be in the Registered Electrician Apprenticeship Program?
Can I just attend the classes?

Currently, it is a requirement to be part of the Registered Apprenticeship Program, with all Electrician Apprentices 1-5 in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. We also provide an opportunity for our other employees to join the RAP to start OJT learning and take coursework to add to their skillset.

Right now, we also offer a “MEA classes only” option as part of our Continuing Education Program.

 

What can the career pathway look like for an Electrician?

Electricians perform a variety of different tasks, and many MEA members specialize in one or several of these types of work.
Common specializations include:

 

I’m brand new, what do I need to do?

After you are hired by an electrical contractor such as Premise, the first thing you should do is register yourself as a Registered Unlicensed Electrician. You must complete 8000 hours of on-the-job training as a registered unlicensed electrician (2000 hours/yr maximum) and meet all other requirements set by the State before you are eligible to sit for the Journeyworker Exam.

The 2023-2024 session runs September 26, 2023 - April 30, 2024 (6:30-9:30 pm CST).
Classes run every Tuesday evening online, and apprentices are responsible for attending and completing all work.
Registrations for the 2023-2024 session is closed.

 

Once I’m in the program, how and when am I evaluated?

All coursework and evaluations are done weekly by the MEA instructors. Premise will have access to your attendance and grades to make sure you’re keeping up – but we are not involved in direct evaluation or grades.

Your apprenticeship will also be managed by your mentor/Supervisor on the job site. Evaluations of your work, progress and development will be submitted to the Director of Training and the DOJ/MEA.

 

Will Premise help pay for my classes (tuition) and books?

Yes. As long as you are a current Premise employee in good standing, we will pay your tuition and book fees for each given year of your Apprenticeship.

If you choose to not attend or fully participate, Premise reserves the right to discontinue payment, or not cover any additional sessions regarding tuition or books.

Once you have filled out your registration form for a given Apprenticeship year, it should be turned into Erika Dodge, and Premise will submit them along with payments for that session’s tuition and books.

Registrations for the 2023-2024 session are closed.
Late registrations will not be eligible for Premise membership pricing OR tuition/book payments.

 

I’m ready to take my Journeyworker exam, what do I need to do?

Once you’ve completed 8000 hours of on-the-job training as a registered unlicensed electrician (2000 hours/yr maximum) and meet all other requirements set by the State, you will be eligible to sit for the Journeyworker Exam.* MEA offers several exam prep options to help you pass!

*Electrical apprentices who are graduates of a technical school may be able to apply for up to 2000 hours of credit towards the 8000 hours of experience.

 

Who can I contact to find out more?

Erika Dodge, Director — Marketing and Training
edodge@premiseco.com