Apprentice Electrician: Job Description and Education Requirements
Apprentice electricians work under the supervision of a licensed electrician to install or repair various electrical systems. Read on to learn more about this entry-level position and the education needed to get started.
Job Description
An apprentice electrician is an entry-level electrician enrolled in an apprenticeship program to learn the tools and skills necessary to becoming a certified electrician. As an apprentice, an electrician will receive a combination of classroom education and paid on-the-job experience. Skills that are typically covered in these programs include how to design, install and repair commercial or residential electrical systems, as well as how to install and maintain data-telecommunications wiring.
According to the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC) there are four main apprenticeship tracts for interested future electricians, each of which specialize in a part of the process of conducting electricity from sources that generate power to local areas of need (www.njatc.org). The NJACTS tracts include outside linemen, inside wiremen, VDV or low-voltage data-telecommunications technicians and residential wiremen. Apprentice electricians work under the observation of a master electrician or journeyman, building up basic skills, gaining additional tasks and responsibilities as they improve.
Education Requirements
In order to qualify for an apprenticeship, aspiring electricians need to have completed a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Apprenticeship programs are offered through a number of technical or community colleges, organizations and unions. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) together sponsor programs of apprenticeship across the United States through the NJATC. These programs usually last four years and involve classroom education on mathematics, electrical code and theory, interpreting blueprints and principals of electrical installation, as well as specialized training depending on what tract of apprenticeship is chosen.
After completing 8,000 hours of apprenticeship work and graduating from an apprenticeship program, entry-level technicians are usually required to become licensed by their state. State requirements vary, but typically include a combination of education, experience and knowledge of state electrical codes.
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5 Popular Schools
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School locations:
- Online Learning
- New York (3 campuses)
- Ohio (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor in Construction
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- Bachelor in Construction Management
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Associate
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- Associate in Electrical Technology
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- Associate in Construction Technology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- California (1 campus)
- Florida (3 campuses)
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- Texas (3)
- Virginia (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Undergraduate Certificate in Foundation Skills for Technology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Mississippi (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Pearl River Community College include:
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- Non-Degree: Coursework, Diploma
- Undergraduate: Associate
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Carpentry
- Electrician
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Construction Management and Trades
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School locations:
- Tennessee (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Nashville State Technical Community College include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Electrician
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Construction Management and Trades
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School locations:
- Minnesota (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Dunwoody College of Technology include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Construction Site Management
- Electrician
- Property Management and Maintenance
- Electrical Repair and Maintenance
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Construction Management and Trades
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Michigan State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Construction Mgmt, General
- Electrician
- Construction Management and Trades
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School locations:
- Wisconsin (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Milwaukee Area Technical College include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Concrete Finishing
- Drywall Installation
- Electrical Systems Lineworker
- Electrician
- Glazier
- House Painting and Wall Paper
- Masonry
- Metal Building Assembly
- Pipefitting
- Roofer
- Electrical Repair and Maintenance
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
- Heavy Equipment Maintenance
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Construction Management and Trades
