Veterans Benefits for Training

Attention Veterans – Did you know that your military training and experience could qualify for NCCER credit towards an electrical apprenticeship?

Are you considering a challenging and rewarding career in the trades after your military service?  Are you ready to be trained by the best?   If so, Watson Electrical is the place for you!  

Watson Electricals' apprentice program is a 4-year, curriculum-based, hands-on program consisting of approximately 600 hours of formal classroom training combined with 8,000 hours of on-the-job (OJT) training over the course of 4-years. Our apprentices work under the supervision of experienced trainers and field supervisors on multiple commercial construction sites.  Upon competition of our program apprentices are more than ready to take their place as a Journeyman Electrician in our ranks and move on to our Contractor Management Training (CMT) program, where they are trained for 2 additional years in positions of increased technical responsibility like Electrical Estimating, Project Management and Electrical Supervision. It is the most comprehensive program you’ll find in the industry and our record of success speaks for itself.

Because our program is registered with the department of commerce in NC, SC and VA, the US Department of Labor and the Veterans Administration, eligible veterans are able to utilize their GI Bill benefits while enrolled in our program and receive that compensation in addition to the pay and benefits  they receive as a full-time Watson Electrical employees.  Our curriculum is NCCER accredited (National Center for Construction Education Resources), so the training our apprentices receive at Watson is recognized nationwide.

There are two ways to enter our program after you separate from the military: Traditional and Accelerated.

Traditional

The traditional format is open to candidates year-round and at every Watson location. Under the traditional format, candidates are first onboarded as Electrical Helpers and required to take and pass an Electrical Apprentice pre-test with a passing score of 70% or better. They are then enrolled in our program and registered for courses. This is the quickest way into the program and is open year-round. In order to become an Electrical Apprentice in the traditional format candidates must:  

1. Contact Watson Recruiting at 252-299-0842 or eemde@watsonelec.com.
2. Submit an online application at www.watsonelec.com/careers.
3. Interview for an apprentice position and be selected.
4. Complete pre-employment background and drug screening.
5. Complete and submit a Hard Hat Heroes transcript review for NCCER credit at http://veterans.byf.org/. 
6. Submit supporting documentation:
   • High School Transcript or Diploma
   • Transcripts from any and all colleges attended
   • DD 214 or NGB22 d. VA Certificate of Eligibility (for GI BILL participants)
7. Obtain the required Electrical Helper tools from the pre-employment tool list we provide.
8. Take and pass the Electrical Apprentice pre-test with a score of 70% or better and receive a supervisor’s recommendation.

Accelerated

An accelerated option is available 3-4 times per year and is run in cooperation with Adaptive Construction Solutions Inc. (ACS). ACS is a veteran owned company specializing in training and placing transitioning/transitioned veterans into the skilled trades. They instruct a 6-week Core and Level 1 Electrical “boot camp” on our behalf several times per year and place their graduates with Watson upon completion. The accelerated program enables apprentices to complete the class portions of Core and Level 1 in 6-weeks as opposed to 1 year, and arms them with the skills needed to be safe and productive on the first day they set foot on a Watson job site. Apprentices selected to attend these courses are full-time Watson employees receiving both pay and lodging. ACS courses are run at various times and locations throughout the year and there is also additional vetting required to be selected to attend. In order to be selected candidates must:

1. Contact Adaptive Construction Solutions at http://goapprenticeship.com/ or (832) 619-1175, or info@goapprenticeship.com to find out about scheduled class dates and the selection process.
2. Submit an ACS Electrical Apprentice application and packet.
3. Be approved by Watson Electrical and your local Workforce Development Board.
4. Submit an online application at www.watsonelec.com/careers
5. Submit supporting documents
   • High School Transcript or Diploma
   • Transcripts from any and all colleges attended
   • DD 214 or NGB22
   • VA Certificate of Eligibility (for GI BILL participants)
6. Attend and pass the 6-week resident course. Tools will be provided in class.

Apprenticeship and the GI BILL

The Watson Electrical Apprentice Program is registered with the VA so eligible veterans can activate and draw their GI BILL while enrolled in our program.  

There are payment differences when you utilize your GI BILL for OJT and Apprenticeship vs. attending traditional college that you need to be aware of, so please visit  https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp to find out how your benefit will work for you as a Watson Electrical Apprentice.