How to get electrical training: Apply to technical school or community college where you can attend an associate degree program in the electrical trades. This is how many skilled trades-people choose to get started so they can begin an apprenticeship program with some know-how.
- You will need to pass one year of algebra plus achieve a qualifying score on the electrical aptitude test. If math is more difficult for you than other schoolwork there is plenty of help available once attending school.
How long does it take to become an electrician?
After graduating from high school and earning your diploma, or taking the GED course and passing, it takes from one to four years to become a licensed electrician.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs
If you’ve already passed algebra and the aptitude test, you can apply to an electrician apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs take four years (144 hours) of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid training on the job. Classes for apprenticeships can include:
- electrical theory
- blueprint reading
- math
- electric code requirements
Different Kinds of Electrician Apprentice Programs
There are four different types of apprenticeship programs to consider the focus on specialization.
- outside lineman
- inside wire-men
- telecommunication tech
- residential wire-men
Residential and installer tech training will take about three years to complete. Inside wiremen apprenticeships take approximately five years to complete. Outside linemen apprenticeships take around three and a half years to complete.
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