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Did you know that employment of electricians in Texas is projected to grow 27% by 2030?*
You could be part of that 27%.
An apprenticeship is one way to get there. An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with classroom lecture.
So, how do you become an electrician apprentice in Houston? We’ve got an explanation below, complete with options you help you get there.
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How Do I Become an Electrician Apprentice in Houston?
Good news: Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center offers an apprenticeship program in Houston, Texas.
Students have the option to sign up with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) during enrollment. They earn hours as they attend the program, and at the end when they graduate, the hours are signed off on by a master electrician
An important aside: TWSTC also offers an electrical training program: The Electrical Applications program.
Separate from the apprenticeship program, Electrical Application trains students in the following areas:
- Fundamentals of electricity and solar
- Electrical wiring for both residential and commercial settings
- Motors
- Lighting practices
- Electrical distribution systems
In addition to classroom lecture, you will complete 350 lab hours to put the classroom theory to the test on actual electrician projects, from proper selection of pull boxes to learning the difference between AC and DC motors.
You have the option to sign up with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) during enrollment. You earn hours as you attend the program and at the end when you graduate, the hours are signed off by a master electrician.
Plus, trade school will help you find an electrical apprenticeship in Houston. Most trade schools work with:
Electrical Training Alliance – a non-profit organization that supports the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) – a unionized association of electrical workers in a variety of fields that supports electricians in the United States and Canada.
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC) – a national construction industry trade association, which helps members develop and deliver work safely, ethically, and profitably.
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) – offers apprentice training, leadership, development, and advice for independent electricians.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Electrician Apprentice?
Most apprenticeships require a minimum amount of in-class and hands-on experience. As an electrician apprentice, you will work under the supervision of a journeyman electrician for about 4 to 5 years before you are eligible to apply for the electrician licensing exam.
Tulsa Welding School’s Electrical Applications training program can be completed in as little as 7 months. This program prepares students for entry-level electrical job opportunities—and it helps them in apprenticeships.
So, what is the difference between the different electrician levels?
What is the Difference in Electrician Levels?
Aspiring electricians have quite a few career paths they can pursue. Let’s talk about a few.
Electrician Apprentice
An electrician apprenticeship is a long-term training program that supplements in-class learning.
As an electrician apprentice, you work directly under the supervision of a qualified journeyman electrician.
You double as a student and professional, developing the skills you need to become an independent electrician.
Electrician apprentices work to compile experience to understand common electrical systems in homes and business settings.
Electrician
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems in both commercial and residential settings.
On a day-to-day basis, they:
- Read blueprints and technical diagrams
- Install, maintain, and repair wiring, control, and lighting systems
- Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers
- Identify electrical problems using testing devices
- Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools
- Follow state and local building regulations based on the National Electrical Code
Does that sound like a lot? Don’t worry: by the time an electrician takes on all these responsibilities, they’ve already been trained by pros who have done all of this before.
Journeyman Electrician
A journeyman electrician has the education and experience to work solo but has not attained the license to work as a master electrician.
To become a journeyman, you must work three to six years as an apprentice under the direct supervision of a master electrician and pass a journeyman test.
You must also have completed electrical training on the National Electrical Code and basic electric principles.
To become a Journeyman Electrician, you must have 8,000 hours, for a Master Electrician, 12,000.
Master Electrician
Master electricians have more education than journeymen. They are educated in fundamentals of electricity, building codes, project management, and safety regulations.
Master electricians lay out wiring systems and installations according to electrical codes. They also obtain work permits and supervise other electricians.
A journeyman electrician normally needs to finish at least 12,000 hours of work before they can qualify for a master electrician license.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center in Houston, TX, offers both an electrician training program and an electrician apprenticeship program. That’s ample training opportunity to learn the fundamentals of an electrician’s duties and prepare for an amazing career that could last a lifetime.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can become an electrician’s apprentice today.
*Employment for Electricians (47-2111) is expected to grow 27% in Texas through 2030. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Heating,%20Air%20Conditioning,%20and%20Refrigeration%20Mechanics%20and%20Installers&onetcode=49902100&location=arizona
