Network Cabling Specialist

When you become a member of IBEW 402, you gain immediate access to exclusive benefits unavailable to non-union workers.

As a Network Cabling Specialist, your responsibilities encompass the installation, testing, labeling, and maintenance of low-voltage communication distribution systems and signal sources connecting to terminal equipment. These systems serve as the critical infrastructure that enables voice, video, and data transmissions across various settings, including industrial, commercial, institutional, and office complexes.

The journey to proficiency as a 631A Network Cabling Specialist involves a blend of practical on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Typically, this path entails approximately 4,600 hours (approximately two and a half years) of commitment, comprising 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience and 600 hours of in-school training (divided into two sessions).

The market for low-voltage cabling is expanding, and it demands skilled professionals to support its growth. In your role as a Network Cabling Specialist, you will work on:

The 631A trade is a registered classification with Skill Development Ontario and falls under the regulation of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act. Becoming a registered NCS (Network Cabling Specialist) apprentice is your gateway to a promising future in a high-growth sector.

Once Network Cabling Specialists 631A become a compulsory trade, everyone in this field will be required to hold a trades certificate. A Certification of Qualification (CofQ) holds recognition throughout the province of Ontario.

According to a report on the Global Low Voltage Cable Industry by Reportlinker, the low voltage cable market is expected to reach $200 Billion by 2027, up from an estimated $135 Billion in 2020.  In Canada, annual growth rates are expected to exceed 5%.

Licensed 631A Network Cabling Specialists earn over 40% more than non-union workers. Additionally, they contribute more than $4.00 per hour toward their retirement pensions.

We prioritize your health and the well-being of your family. Our comprehensive benefits include 90% dental coverage, 90% prescription drug coverage, eye care benefits, as well as access to physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapy, and more.

Unions advocate for their members by negotiating with contractors to secure better wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security. Joining a union provides a collective voice and bargaining power that individuals lack on their own. Since 1990, the IBEW has successfully negotiated consistent wage increases without resorting to strikes or lockouts.