Educational and Cultural Programs

Electrical industry training session with instructor and students.

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Established in 1964 to provide educational, charitable and philanthropic programs that would improve the welfare of members, their families and the community. Though eligibility varies for each program, all benefits from this Fund are offered at no cost to eligible members of Local Union No. 3.

College Advisory Day

The Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry, in partnership with the Alumni Association of Scholarship Winners, provides valuable guidance to help students select the right college. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one‑on‑one discussions with members of the Alumni Association, gaining insight into pre, post‑graduation pathways, and a wide range of career options. Alumni will share their personal experiences and advice to help prospective students explore opportunities that align with their academic and professional goals.

The program will also feature a panel of college representatives who will present information on the admissions process and available financial aid options.

College Advisory Day is offered as a benefit to eligible Local Union No. 3, I.B.E.W. members and their dependents. All high school students are welcome and encouraged to register.

Scholarship Program

The Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry offers an annual, highly competitive, merit‑based scholarship program for the children of eligible Local Union No. 3, IBEW members. Scholarships are available to high school graduates and first‑year college students and provide up to four years of undergraduate support at an accredited, four‑year college or university located within the continental United States. New applications are made available each year in October to eligible members of Local Union No. 3.

College Tuition Reimbursement Program

Eligible employees and their spouses may receive college tuition reimbursement of up to a $25,000 lifetime maximum per individual while pursuing a college degree, including an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.

College Tuition Assistance Benefit

You may apply for a $32,000/$48,000 line of credit for each of your children to be used for undergraduate or graduate tuition at an accredited college and may borrow up to $4,000/$6,000 per child, per semester (fall or spring). You can borrow for no more than two children per semester and can have no more than a total of $56,000 in unpaid loans. The interest rate on the loan is pegged to the mid-term “Applicable Federal Rate” or “AFR” that is set by the IRS on a monthly basis. Once fixed, the AFR applies for the nine-year life of the $32,000/$48,000 line of credit. For information about the College Assistance Tuition Benefit (C-Tab), see the College Assistance Tuition Benefit FAQ Sheet.

General Educational Development (GED)

Classes are offered from September to June at the Electrical Industry Center in Flushing for those participants planning to take GED exams in pursuit of a diploma. You can get more information and obtain an application to register for GED preparation classes.

Citizenship Responsibility

After completing this three-session course, you may receive 80% of your daily rate to offset wages lost when you are called for jury duty.

Pre-Retirement Seminars

Seminars are conducted at the Electrical Industry Center to help you and your spouse best prepare for retirement.

Camp Integrity at Redwood

This summer camp offers a full sports program, arts and crafts, nature and field trips, and is open to the children of eligible participants. Click here to access 2026 Camp Integrity Brochure and Waiver Form.

2026 Session Dates

Boys (2026 Boys Camp Integrity Application)

1st Period (June 21 – July 4)
2nd Period (July 5 – July 18)

Girls (2026 Girls Camp Integrity Application)

3rd Period (July 19 – August 1)
4th Period (August 2 – August 15)

Classes and Seminars

The Fund offers a range of courses at no charge to you. Some examples include Transit Skills Classes, Basic and Advanced Estimating and Computer Classes. Click here to view and register your courses. If you are an Apprentice, call the Apprentice Department at (718) 591-2000 ext. 1480 before signing up for these classes.

In compliance with the “A” construction electricians’ contract, the funding for Commercial Driver License training (“CDL”) will be paid through the Education and Cultural Trust Fund. Eligible members who are interested in obtaining their CDL should call the office at (718) 591-2000, Extension 1500.

The Spring Art Festival Program

A biennial festival sponsored by the Fund that highlights the talents of you and your family through the display of more than 300 original works of art.

JIB Learning Management System

The Fund has a learning management system to deliver online training courses to IBEW Local Union No. 3 eligible Members. For more information on how to access the system, see the Accessing and Taking Courses on www.jiblearning.org page on this site.

Critical Thinking Seminar

The Critical Thinking Seminar is one of the educational programs offered at the Long Island Education Center in Cutchogue. To be eligible, members must have worked for an employer who has made twenty-six weeks of contributions to the plan on their behalf. Active members/retirees and their eligible dependents are able to stay at the facility from Friday evening through Sunday at noon while members attend the Critical Thinking Course on Saturdays. If you’re interested, you can download a registration form for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My employer sent me to an outside agency to obtain an asbestos license; may I now take my refresher course through the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund?
You need to submit a notarized sponsor copy of the DOH 2832 certificate from the authorized New York training provider where you took your asbestos training. You can also include proof of your asbestos licenses provided by the N.Y.S. Department of Labor and the N.Y.C. Department of Environmental Protection. We will then place you on a pending list for the refresher course. You must meet the eligibility requirements to register for any E&C Fund courses.
I am an apprentice working on a job-site that requires OSHA training, are the OSHA classes available to me?
The Educational and Cultural Trust Fund offers classes to all eligible participants; however, apprentices should complete their apprenticeship training before requesting OSHA classes given by the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund.
If I do not take my annual refresher course and my license or certification expires, would I be able to be rescheduled for a refresher course at a later date?
In the case of the Asbestos Handler and Supervisor Certification Classes, when your state license has expired, the D.O.H. and D.O.L. requires that you take an initial class to renew your license if you have exceeded 2 years from your last date of training. The lead and respiratory courses also require an annual refresher. If you complete the Confined Space Initial Course, you must take a refresher course every two years. If you take the Hazwoper 40 Hour training, a 10 hour yearly refresher is required. If you take the Bloodborne Pathogens class, you will be refreshing again in 2 years. These courses are offered at no charge to current members.
How much would I need to pay to take an OSHA certificate training class?
The Educational and Cultural Trust Fund offers a wide variety of OSHA classes to members free-of-charge. In classes involving licensing fees, such as the Asbestos Restricted Handler and the Asbestos Handler classes, all fees are paid by the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund to the D.O.H., D.O.L., and the D.E.P. Classes are conducted evenings at the Electric Industry Center in Flushing, Queens. Most classes require an annual refresher course.
I am currently working on a job that requires a respirator, how quickly can I be fit-tested to use a respirator?
To be fit-tested, you must first complete training in the use of Respiratory Protection Equipment. You will be assigned to a class based on a class pending list. Those classes are Asbestos Handler, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazwoper and Lead & Respiratory. After completing the classroom training you will be called later to attend a fit test and medical screening session. The fit test sessions are held at JIB location a few times a year. Fit tests are valid for one year from date of completion. The fit test company will mail you proof of training when all results are received.
I am on workers’ compensation. May I apply for educational benefits from the Fund?
To be eligible for E&C benefits, you must be employed or be available for employment. If you are receiving workers’ compensation, the E&C classes are not available to you until your employment is resumed, or you become available for full employment.

However, the Tuition Reimbursement, Scholarship and Loan Program benefits are extended for a period of two years while you are on workers’ compensation. Should you remain on disability after the two-year period, E&C benefits cease until you return to full employment within the industry for a period of six months to one year depending on the amount of time you remained disabled. All requests for benefits go before a committee for eligibility approval.