Electrical apprentices, actively enrolled and in good-standing with their local JATC, are eligible to the National Apprentice Start-Up Business Challenge. The Challenge is sponsored by ELECTRI International, NECA’s Foundation for Electrical Construction.

How it Works

Each team, of not more than three members, will submit a comprehensive Business Plan with local NECA Contractor/Chapter involvement. Teams are expected and encouraged to gain input and feedback on their proposal form NECA contractors, vendors, materials suppliers, and JATC Faculty and Training Directors. Each qualifying team must also show proof that the business plan has been reviewed with at least 3 local NECA contractors.

Each apprentice team must submit its proposal by November 1, 2020. Proposals will be reviewed by a jury of contractors and manufacturers selected by ELECTRI. The team receiving the highest score for the written presentation will be invited to present its business plan at the January ELECTRI Council meeting (in even-numbered years) and at NECA NOW (in odd years).

ELECTRI International will award the top three teams as follows:

1^st Place Team                   $5,000

2^nd Place Team                  $3,000

3^rd Place Team                   $1,500

Best Individual                      $500
Presenter

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2021 Competition Schedule

November 1, 2020 – Submission Deadline for Proposals

November 16, 2020 – Announcement of Finalists

April 12-15, 2021 – First Place Team presents at NECA Now meeting in Denver, CO

Download the Full 2021 Request for Proposal

2020  Winning Apprentice Challenge Team

Flint/Saginaw Electrical JATC Apprentices: Shane O’Connell and Christopher Windle

2019 Winning Apprentice Challenge Team

Flint/Saginaw Electrical JATC Apprentices: Klye Chappelle, Jalene Ewell and Crystal Poore.