From new construction projects to renovations, upgrades, and repairs, there are jobs abounding for qualified electricians. The demand for workers and the compensation for skilled tradesmen are at an all-time high. Yet, the availability of servicemen falls far short of the jobs available. Contractors charged with completing new projects are faced with shutdowns and missed deadlines due to worker shortages. This presents an opportunity if you’re looking to enter the workforce or considering a change in your career. Electrician schools provide the skills through hands-on experiences that will help you to become competitive in the field. Some may include off-site training so you’re ready to work immediately after graduation. The best part about enrolling in an electrician program is that you can complete your training and get working in a reasonably short time. The time and effort required to learn a skilled trade may be daunting, but it is a worthwhile investment to start working in a profession that offers jobs and excellent salaries for professionals.
Institute For Business Technology
The Electrician program at IBT prepares students with the necessary skills for entry-level employment as a residential, commercial, or industrial electrician. The training will cover electrical code, wiring installation, conduit bending, motors and transformer systems, as well as manual and electric industrial controls. At least half of the training (420 hours) will be hands-on to encourage students to take an active role in wiring of residential and commercial installations. IBT will provide students with hand tools required for use in the program. Course modules include introduction to electrical theory, introduction to NEC and blueprint reading, basic residential wiring methods, basic commercial wiring methods conduit bending, basic commercial and motor control wiring, and solar photovoltaic system design and implementation and installation. Graduates will receive their own toolkit to use in practice. They will be prepared to test for the State of California Electrical Trainee Certification. The school will also help students obtain their Electrician Trainee Card within the first few months of the program.
Program overview:
Electrician Diploma
Duration: 42 weeks
Clock hours: 840
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 (or 17, with written parent or guardian approval and turn 18 before the expected IBT graduation date)
- Visit and tour the School
- Complete a personal interview with a School admissions representative
- Provide documentation of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
- Provide a valid Social Security Card and government issued photo ID or driver’s license
- Complete an enrollment agreement and other required enrollment paperwork
- Attend a financial aid interview and complete required financial aid paperwork
- Take and pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)_ and achieve the minimum acceptable score
- Complete an Online Readiness Assessment and will receive the Distance Education System/Technology Requirements
Program cost:
The program cost of $17,492 includes tuition, registration fee, books, uniforms, supplies, and STRF.
- Website: https://ibt.edu/
- Address: 2400 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- Phone: 408-669-3289
San Jose City College
San Jose City College offers an Electrician Trainee program to prepare students for entry-level employment as an electrician. The program includes extensive hands-on training in residential and commercial wiring. Students will learn basic code and the tools and equipment used in the industry. Course modules include residential/commercial wiring, construction blueprint reading, estimating, codes, and specifications, seminar in principles of contracting, estimating, construction safety standards, project management for construction, introduction to facilities management, electrical concepts for facilities maintenance technicians, introduction to industrial electronics and controls, introduction to programmable logic controllers, and basic mathematics. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade C to graduate from the program. Morning, evening, and online schedules are available.
Program overview:
Electrician Trainee
Duration: 8 months (full-time)
Units: 48.5
Prerequisites:
- Submit an application via SJCC online
- Complete and submit a FAFSA to the Financial Aid office if needed
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Submit high school cumulative GPA to obtain waivers for English and Math placement
- Complete the online orientation
- Schedule and attend a meeting with a counselor to develop an educational goal and plan
- Register for classes online
- Obtain a free student ID card from the student center
- Take a placement test at SJCC through the Assessment Center
- Must be an approved apprentice through Department of Apprenticeship Standards
Program cost:
The enrollment fee is $46 per unit for students who meet California residency status.
- Website: https://www.sjcc.edu/home
- Address: 2100 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
- Phone: (408) 298-2181
Center for Employment Training
The electrical training program at the Center for Employment Training prepares students with knowledge and skills to start a career in electrical installation and maintenance. The program includes theory and hands-on training which covers residential and general electrical skills, planning, and installation. Students will inspect, troubleshoot and repair electrical systems. Students will be eligible to register for the Electrician in Training (ET) card upon enrollment. Course topics in electrical safety, residential electricity, commercial electricity, wiring and installation, photovoltaic systems, job preparation, and concepts in customer service. The class size is limited to 20 to 25 students with each cycle.
Program overview:
Electrician Trainee Certificate
Duration: 8 to 9 months
Clock hours: 900
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Provide documentation of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent – options are available for non-high school graduates
- Provide a valid government issued photo ID or driver’s license or passport
- Submit an application for admission
- Take and pass the entrance exam
Program cost:
The program cost of $15,375 includes tuition, books, uniforms, and project supplies. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://cetweb.edu/
- Address: 701 Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110
- Phone: (408) 534-5360
TTL College
The residential and commercial electrical maintenance course offered by TTL College provides students with knowledge of electrical wiring and electrical code. Coursework will cover Properties and splicing of Conductors, Circuit Calculation, General Electrical Equipment, Batteries, Transformers, Solid State Devices, Relay, PLC, Generators, Wiring Motors, Electrical Lighting, and National Electrical Code. Students will also prepare for the state board exam. Students must obtain and maintain a score of 70% or higher to graduate with the Certificate of Completion.
Program overview:
Electrical Contractor License
Duration: 12 months
Clock hours: 288
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Provide documentation of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
- Provide a valid government issued photo ID or driver’s license or passport
- Submit an application for admission
- Take and pass the entrance exam
Program cost:
Tuition for the program is $5,400. Books and supplies cost an additional $350.
Website: https://ttlcollege.com/
Address: 345 E Santa Clara St Ste 106, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-998-4534
Foothill College
The General Electrician program at Foothill College prepares students for career success as a General Electrician. The program meets the “whole program status” as required by the Department of Apprenticeship Standards. It includes studies in foundation sciences, mathematics, safety, plan and code reading, and job based skills. Course topics include orientation to the electrical trade, electron theory, basic blueprint reading, DC theory, national electrical code introduction, codelogy, test equipment, pipe bending, blueprints, AC theory, transformers, intermediate national electrical code, DC theory, national electrical code review, programmable logic controllers, low voltage systems, industrial blueprints, motors, motor control, and lighting protection. Students must complete the required work experience and hours to graduate from the program. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to function as general electricians.
Program overview:
General Electrician Certificate
Duration: 12 months
Units: 40-46
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Provide documentation of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
- Provide a valid government issued photo ID or driver’s license or passport
- Submit an application for admission
- Take and pass the entrance exam
Program cost:
Tuition costs $46 per unit for California residents. Books, fees, supplies, and admission costs are additional.
- Website: https://foothill.edu/
- Address: 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
- Phone: 408.745.8018