Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions about IBEW 520

If you have questions regarding IBEW Local 520, check out our FAQ list below for more info. 

Join the Union

IBEW Local 520 is you, the member. The IBEW Local 520 membership vote on their leaders and representatives. The members also look out for one another on the job site.

IBEW Local 520 operates in a democratic fashion. Members elect leaders who work on their behalf to ensure that the membership earns a livable wage, affordable health care, receive retirement benefits and have jobsite representation. 

Union Dues are funds provided by union members to financially support the goals of their organization. Union dues are broken up into two portions – International and Local. The International portion of dues supports the representation, research, legal, administrative and legislative needs of members on an International level. The Local union and working dues support members at the local level and expenses such as legal representation, handling of grievances, arbitration, contract negotiations, organizing activities, rent and administrative fees.

Union dues are divided between the International Union and Local 520, helping its own treasury. Dues are used to run the union and keep it going strong!

The International portion of dues supports the representation, research, legal, administrative and legislative needs of members on an International level. The Local union and working dues support members at the local level and expenses such as legal representation, handling of grievances, arbitration, contract negotiations, organizing activities, rent and administrative fees.

There are many benefits to joining IBEW Local 520 including free training through the Austin Electrical Training Alliance (AustinETA). By joining IBEW Local 520, you are ensuring you receive a quality wage and benefits package, plus jobsite representation. 

Unfortunately, being out of work is inevitable in a career, especially in the construction industry. However, IBEW 520 uses a referral process to refer our electricians to our signatory contractors. This means our members do not have to rely on just one contractor for employment. 

In to gain membership into IBEW Local 520, an individual must complete our  process, which includes filling out an application, testing and an interview. You can receive information about joining IBEW Local 520 by filling out the form, here.

Apprenticeship Program

An apprenticeship is a job in which the worker is paid to learn a set of skills through on-the-job training. Unlike an internship — in which the intern works for little or no money and rarely receives formal training — an apprenticeship follows an earn while you learn model and leads to a nationally recognized credential that recipients can take anywhere in the country.

The U.S Department of Labor (DOL) has granted the AustinETA a registered apprenticeship program. Through this program, electrical apprentices learn on-the-job from experienced tradespeople as they make a livable wage and also receive mandatory classroom instruction as they work their way toward becoming a journeymen electrical worker. 

  • Conduit Bending 1 & 2
  • Device Wiring
  • Grounding/Transformers
  • Services
  • Motor Controls
  • Basic Code
  • Codeology
  • Foreman Development Series
  • Code of Excellence

The main goal of apprenticeship is to “top out” as a journeyman. There are also other things apprentices earn. Through training, apprentices earn industry certification and safety certifications such as the OSHA-10. If an apprentice wants to pursue a college degree, they will be earning some college credit as an apprentice.

Most registered building trades apprenticeships take anywhere from three to five years to complete. The IBEW Local 520 registered apprenticeship program takes five years to complete.

    • 18 years of age
    • Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Proof of one year of high school algebra passed, or a technical math course
    • Valid driver’s license
Back To Top
TRAVELERS NOTICE: CLICK THE BUTTON BEFORE ENTERING OUR JURISDICTION
LEARN MORE
close-image
Click 'Learn More' to learn how to Make Membership with IBEW Local Union No. 520
LEARN MORE
close-image