The Gainesville Electrical JATC History

The pursuit for excellence began on January 23rd, 1948 when the North Florida Chapter of NECA and IBEW local union 1205 officers registered the Gainesville Electrical JATC with the State of Florida Bureau of Apprenticeship. The JATC adopted and registered their first set of standards January 13th, 1949.

In 1949 the first instructor Mr. Calvin J. Workinger was hired by the JATC to teach the 1949 - 1950 school years. With the ever changing technology the need for cutting edge training became a must, so in 1964 the NJATC course curriculum was adopted, and it is the standard curriculum for the electrical industry in use today. The first official apprenticeship graduation ceremony was held in Gainesville Florida on June 14th, 1968 followed by a dance for all who could attend. As the industry continued to grow, so did the need for a new training center. On September Calvin J. Workinger 3rd, 1970 committee member Wayne Sparkman suggested that a building fund be created to build the new center. With the help of committee member H.C. Amason the building fund was formed. On June 27th, 1974 the building was completed and the committee held their first committee meeting in the new building to kick off the new era. On September 24th, 1977 in appreciation for their commitment to the future of our industry, the building was named the Amason- Sparkman building in honor of Mr. H.C. Amason and Wayne Sparkman. In 2003 the Gainesville Electrical JATC adopted the DBA name of The Gainesville Academy of Electrical Technology.
With the need for more energy sources growing every day, so does the need for highly trained electricians to install and maintain those sources. January 19th, 2004 The JATC received a grant from the Florida Solar Energy Center to install a 4800 watt photovoltaic system. The system is to be used in training as well as to supplementing power to our local utility grid. During Earth week April 19th, 2005 the Gainesville Electrical JATC along with notable guest Dr. Dan Boyd Alachua County School Board Superintendent, Mike Kurtz P.E. with Gainesville Regional Utilities, Jim Dunlop P.E. from the Florida Solar Energy Center and Gainesville’s Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan celebrated Earth week with the Mayor Proclaiming April 19th, 2005 Gainesville Academy of Electrical Technology Day In Gainesville.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association are proud to sponsor the largest and most comprehensive Journeyman & Apprentice training programs in this country, Through the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the electrical industry. The NJATC has proudly trained hundreds of thousands of the top men and women in the electrical industry through the Local JATC’s around the United States and Canada. The Gainesville Electrical JATC is looking for intelligent, motivated, reliable and ambitious Men and women looking for an exciting career in the electrical construction industry. We offer a 5 year tuition free intensive electrical construction State registered apprenticeship program.