Common industry terms

The electrical construction industry has its own language—from how projects are structured to how careers progress. This glossary breaks down common terms you may hear on jobsites, in training programs, or when exploring a career in the industry.

WORK & EMPLOYMENT TERMS

  • Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): A formal agreement between contractors and a union that outlines wages, benefits, working conditions, and jobsite rules.

  • Conditional Offer of Apprenticeship: The first stage of being accepted into an apprenticeship program, which is usually received via email or letter.  “Conditional” means that you will be accepted to the program if and when you pass a physical examination, eye test, drug test, background check, and any other requirements of your JATC’s selection criteria.

  • Electrical Training Alliance (etA): Formerly known as the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC), the Training Alliance is the organization that develops and standardizes course curriculum and other education offerings for NECA-IBEW apprenticeship programs nationwide.

  • Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee/Center (JATC): The Committee is a joint partnership between NECA (the contractors) and the IBEW (the union). The Committee makes decisions about training curriculum, staff, rules/policies, and takes final action on disciplinary matters involving apprentices. Sometimes the term ‘JATC’ is also used to reference the training center building itself and/or training center staff.

  • Layoff: Separation from a job due to lack of available work, typically when a project is nearly or fully completed.

  • Probationary Period: The period of time at the beginning of an apprenticeship where an apprentice can be dismissed from the program without recourse if the apprentice does not meet minimum expectations of performance and progress. The probationary period is usually the first year of apprenticeship.

  • Ranked List: The list of eligible candidates for apprenticeship who have been interviewed and can be called to join the apprenticeship program when there is a need for new apprentices. Acceptance to the program after this point is subject to a physical examination, background check, and other program requirements.

  • Reduction in Force (RIF): A decrease in the number of workers on a project due to changes in workload or project phase.

  • Recall: The return of a worker to a job after a layoff. Per CBA rules, a contractor is allowed to recall a Journey-level worker for a certain period of time after a layoff.

  • Project-Based Work: Employment that is tied to specific construction projects with defined timelines.

  • Job Duration:The length of time a worker is assigned to a specific project.

  • Ramp-Up: The phase of a project when the workforce is increasing, usually at the beginning.

  • Ramp-Down: The phase of a project when the workforce is decreasing, usually at the end.

  • Signatory Contractor: A signatory contractor is a company that has agreed to work under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in partnership with a union. These contractors employ union electricians and follow established standards for wages, benefits, training, and safety.

HOW WORK IS STRUCTURED

  • Project Owner: The individual, company, or organization that funds and owns the project.

  • General Contractor (GC): The company responsible for managing the overall construction project, coordinating all trades, and ensuring the project is completed on time and according to plan.

  • Electrical Contractor (Subcontractor): A specialized contractor responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems on a project, including power distribution, lighting, and related infrastructure.

  • Subcontractor: A contractor that specializes in a specific scope of work on a construction project, such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems.

  • Jobsite: The physical location where construction work is taking place.

HOW WORK GETS DONE (PROJECT FLOW TERMS)

  • BIM (Building Information Modeling): A digital process used to plan and coordinate construction systems.

  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Software used to create technical drawings and plans.

  • RFI (Request for Information): A formal request used to clarify details in project plans or specifications.

  • RFP (Request for Proposal): A document issued to solicit proposals for a project or service.

  • RFQ (Request for Quotation): A request for pricing on specific materials or services.

  • Submittal: Documentation provided by a contractor (such as product data or drawings) for approval before installation.

  • Change Order: A formal modification to the original scope of work, which may affect cost, schedule, or materials.

  • Schedule: The planned timeline for completing different phases of a project.

JOBSITE & SAFETY TERMS

  • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Protective gear worn to reduce exposure to hazards on a jobsite.

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): The federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards.

  • LOTO (Lockout/Tagout): A safety procedure used to ensure equipment is properly shut off and cannot be restarted during maintenance. 

  • QA/QC (Quality Assurance / Quality Control): Processes used to ensure work meets required standards. 

  • Safety Culture: The shared practices and expectations that prioritize safe work on jobsites.