Electrician Apprenticeship

About the role

Gerdau offers an electrician apprenticeship in Petersburg, Virginia, within its steel production business. Apprentices earn while continuing their education and gain hands-on experience, mentored by skilled and experienced employees who rotate them through different departments. The starting pay is $27.88 per hour.

Apprentices work 6 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with a minimum of 36 hours per week to allow time for classes and study. After graduation, the schedule becomes a 12-hour rotating shift, including days, nights and two consecutive weekends a month.

Key responsibilities

• Perform basic maintenance functions with hand tools, dismantling, repairing, lubricating and reassembling equipment.
• Work on hydraulics, pneumatics, pipe fitting, assembly and installation, and perform basic electrical maintenance on noncomplex circuitry.
• Adjust, clean or lubricate equipment as preventive maintenance, and tear down, replace, repair, assemble and install standard equipment and parts.
• Work in other maintenance crafts as needed, such as burning, welding, fabricating and machining.
• Start, observe and operate equipment to detect or verify corrections of malfunctions.
• Operate mobile equipment such as loaders, cranes, man-lifts, brick-lifts and forklifts, and ensure daily preventative maintenance on vehicles and mobile equipment.
• Follow PPE requirements and safety rules, assist in training coworkers, communicate via two-way radio and hand signals, and maintain a clean work area.

Required profile

• HS Diploma or GED required.
• 1 to 2 years of experience in an industrial environment in a position with a routine maintenance component.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, work at heights up to 160 feet, work in cramped quarters, and work in extreme ambient temperatures up to 160 F.
• Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift after graduation.

Required skills

• Shop mathematics with drawings, specifications, charts, tables and precision measuring instruments.
• Basic understanding of AC/DC motor theory, drives, electrical controls, NFPA 70E and high-voltage power systems.
• Knowledge of electrical schematics and common electrical maintenance hand tools.
• Aptitude in at least one craft: electrician, millwright, fabricator, welder or vehicle mechanic.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Gerdau Business System tools.

What we offer

• Medical, prescription, dental and vision plans eligible on the first day of hire.
• Health and dependent care flexible spending account.
• 401K matched up to 6%, life and accidental life insurance.
• Bi-weekly bonuses, parental leave and tuition reimbursement.
• Career path system and training.