About us
DEVELOPING QUALIFIED, SAFE ELECTRICIANS SINCE 1978
A merit shop electrical apprenticeship program in Oregon, preparing apprentices for long-term careers through education and supervised on-the-job training.
45+
Years developing electricians in the Pacific Northwest
2
Campuses, including a 26,000 sq ft training center in Portland
1
1x/ per week classroom instruction 5pm-9pm & hands-on labs.
OUR MISSION
Education, training, and habits for success
The Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC was established to develop and deliver top-level education to electrical apprentices, contractors, and journey-level workers within the merit shop electrical community.
01 · EDUCATION
Top-level instruction
Nationally accredited curriculum delivered by local working electricians — not outsourced.
02 · TRAINING
Supervised on-the-job experience
8,000 hours of real jobsite work, guided by licensed journeymen across the region.
03 · OPPORTUNITY
A rewarding career
Become a highly skilled electrician and take pride in seeing your work throughout your community.
Est. 1978
Training electricians for the Pacific Northwest — for nearly half a century
From a handful of merit shop contractors to one of the largest program in Oregon — built by working electricians, for the next generation of working electricians.
Our History
From 1978 to one of the largest merit shop program in Oregon
In 1978, the Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC was approved as a professional association of merit shop contractors and training administrators, ensuring an adequate supply of well-trained electricians for the greater Portland and Southwest Washington area.
Since then, we've grown to be one of the largest merit shop program in Oregon and the western United States.
In 2005, we purchased a 26,000-square-foot building in NE Portland — making us the only program in the region with its own dedicated training center.
1978
JATC founded
Approved as a professional association of merit shop contractors and training administrators for Portland and SW Washington.
2005
Dedicated training center
Purchased a 26,000-square-foot building in NE Portland — the only program in the region with its own campus.
2021
Vancouver campus added
Our Campuses
Two locations across the PNW
Train closer to where you live and work. Applications are processed at Portland; classes are held at both campuses.
PORTLAND, OR
APPLICATIONS · ADMIN · CLASSES
Portland Campus
6915 NE 42nd Ave
Portland, OR 97218
Mon - Thurs
8am - 6pm
(503) 459-4056
VANCOUVER, WA
CLASSES · ADMIN
Vancouver Campus
1006 NE 146th St
Vancouver, WA 98685
Mon - Thurs
1pm - 6pm
(503) 459-4056
service area
Where we train
Area 1 serves apprentices and training agents across the following counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Oregon
Multnomah
Washington
Clackamas
Columbia
Hood River
Wasco
Yamhill (partial)
Washington
Clark
Klickitat
Skamania
Cowlitz
Pacific
ACCREDITATION
Backed by the right credentials
Our program is registered, accredited, and recognized at the state and national level — so your training translates into a real license.
Community College Credit
Course accreditation with college credit toward an AAS degree at no extra charge.
Oregon BOLI
Registered with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries as an approved apprenticeship.
Nationally accredited with NCCER
Curriculum meets national standards — training that's recognized beyond the region.
Dual-state licensing
Qualify for Oregon and Washington journeyman licenses, with reciprocity in 7 states.
Equal opportunity program
The Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. Compliant with Title VI/VII Civil Rights Act, ADA, and applicable state and federal laws.