IBEW Local 1253 — Augusta, ME: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 1253: whether applications are open right now, what the apprenticeship pays, how the process works, and a free alert the moment the next window opens.
Application status
Always acceptingApplications are accepted year-round.
Fall 2026 class deadline was 2026-03-31 (aptitude exam passed by April 2026); applications/testing completed after those dates are considered for the fall 2027 class — expect a similar late-March 2027 deadline
Applications are handled by Augusta Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 1253 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 21, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
Get alerted when Local 1253 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Augusta’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 1253 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $37.10/hr (2024 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $54.32/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 55% | $20.41 |
| Period 2 | 60% | $22.26 |
| Period 3 | 65% | $24.11 |
| Period 4 | 70% | $25.97 |
| Period 5 | 80% | $29.68 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $31.54 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $37.10 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Apply online year-round by creating a TradeSchool account (secure.tradeschoolinc.com); annual cutoff determines which fall class you're considered for. Requirements: min 17 to apply (18 before indenture); HS diploma, GED, or associate degree+; one full year of HS algebra (or one post-HS algebra course) with passing grade; official transcripts; qualifying score on the ETA aptitude test (in person); oral interview (interviewees stay on the eligibility list 2 years); valid driver's license; birth certificate; resume/work history; DD-214 for veterans; possible physical/drug test before indenture. 4-year inside program: 8,000 OJT hours + 900 classroom hours; Inside Wireman and Telecommunications tracks. Contact: Cara Flannery, cflannery@ibew1253.org, (207) 453-1301 ext. 4.
Be ready before the window opens
The applicants who get in prepped early. 500+ NJATC-format practice questions, timed tests, and an AI mock interview — free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 1253 in Augusta accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 21, 2026: Applications are accepted year-round. Application schedules are set by the JATC and can change on short notice — always confirm on the JATC's own site before making plans.
How much does IBEW Local 1253 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 1253 is $37.10/hr (2024 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $54.32/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 55% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 1253?
Applications go through Augusta Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 1253 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee). The usual process: submit the application with your HS diploma or GED, transcripts showing algebra, and ID; take the aptitude test; then complete a scored interview that sets your rank on the eligibility list.
What test does IBEW Local 1253 use?
Most IBEW inside-wireman programs use the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra & functions plus reading comprehension); a growing number use the broader GAN battery. Either way, your test score plus interview decide your ranking — prep before the window opens.
Related Resources
More IBEW locals near Augusta
Michael Briglio
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman · Licensed Contractor · IL Educator
Michael started in the IBEW at 18 and made foreman as a 3rd-year apprentice. Thirteen years in, he’s a Local 134 journeyman, a licensed electrical contractor, a licensed Illinois teacher, and OSHA 30 and EPA 608 certified. He teaches a federally recognized pre-apprenticeship on the south side of Chicago — where he’s helped 100+ students get into the IBEW. He built Sparky AI around exactly what the NJATC exam tests and what trips people up. Prep with this and you walk in ready.
Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.