From an IBEW Local 369 Master Electrician who went union to build a career, a family, and ChargeRight.
I went union so I could get married and afford insurance for me, my wife, and my child. That's the honest answer. It wasn't some grand career strategy — it was a 23-year-old trying to figure out how to take care of a family.
The IBEW apprenticeship gave me 5 years of structured training — 8,000+ hours on the job, hundreds of hours in the classroom. It gave me discipline, code knowledge, and real craftsmanship. No shortcuts. You do the work, you learn the trade, you earn the card.
That training is the reason ChargeRight exists. I understand NEC 220.82 because my union education taught me to read code, calculate loads, and think critically about electrical systems. When I saw homeowners getting sold $5,000 panel upgrades they didn't need, I had the knowledge to build a tool that tells the truth — because the IBEW gave me that knowledge.
The union didn't just give me a career. It gave me the foundation to build something bigger. And I think more people deserve that same shot.
“I didn't go union for the politics. I went union because I needed health insurance for my family, and the IBEW was the only path that offered full benefits from day one of my apprenticeship. Five years later, I turned out as a journeyman with zero debt, a pension, and the skills to build ChargeRight. That's not a talking point — that's my life.”
— Jason Walls, IBEW Local 369 Master Electrician
This isn't about tearing anyone down. It's about what the union path builds up — in your skills, your wallet, and your life.
Union electricians earn $80K–$120K+ as journeymen. Wages are collectively bargained — not left up to whatever the contractor decides to pay.
Full medical, dental, and vision for you and your family — typically at $0 premium. This was the reason I went union. It's that good.
A defined-benefit pension — not a 401(k) that tanks when the market does. Plus an annuity fund. You're building real retirement security from year one.
8,000+ on-the-job hours and ~900 classroom hours through the JATC. Standardized, nationally recognized curriculum — not “whatever the shop does.”
Real classroom instruction in NEC code, electrical theory, blueprint reading, motor controls, and more. This is what separates trained electricians from people who just pull wire.
You're not alone. The IBEW is a network of 775,000+ members who look out for each other — on the job, in the hall, and in the community. That matters more than you think.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% job growth for electricians through 2032 — faster than the national average. With EV infrastructure spending accelerating, the demand for qualified, EVITP-certified union electricians is only going up. The IBEW represents 775,000+ members across the U.S. and Canada.
I've curated the resources I wish someone had handed me when I was starting out. Every link goes somewhere real.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Start here to find your local union and learn about IBEW apprenticeship opportunities.
Visit ibew.org
The joint training program between IBEW and NECA. This is where the 5-year apprenticeship curriculum comes from — the gold standard in electrical training.
Visit electricaltrainingalliance.org
A trade apprenticeship resource covering programs nationwide. They feature both union and non-union pathways — I recommend pursuing union programs, but this is a solid resource for finding what's available in your area. ChargeRight is a featured partner on their site.
Visit bluecollarapprentice.com
IBEW's dedicated portal for people interested in joining. Submit your interest and get connected with your local IBEW chapter.
Visit ibewyes.org
EV charger installation is skilled electrical work that requires real training. A load calculation isn't just math — it's understanding the NEC, knowing how panels actually work, and being able to tell a homeowner the truth about what they need.
The electricians doing this work matter. Their training matters. Their safety matters. Their livelihood matters. Every EV sold needs a charger, and every charger needs a qualified electrician to install it safely and to code.
ChargeRight exists because of union training. I built a $12.99 NEC 220.82 load calculation tool because my IBEW education taught me the code well enough to automate it. This page exists because more people should have access to that same path — the one that gave me a career, a family, and the ability to build something that helps people.
Whether you're here because you need an EV charger assessment or because you're thinking about a career in the trades — I'm glad you found this page.