Electrician
An electrician is any skilled tradesperson who designs, installs, maintains, and repairs the electrical systems and products used in residential homes, businesses, and factories. Electricians work inside or outside buildings to ensure lights, industrial equipment, and appliances operate safely and reliably. There are many special types of electricians, including residential electricians, who install wiring and solve electrical problems in homes, and inside electricians, who maintain and repair control systems, motors, and electrical equipment in businesses and factories.
Electricians may spend their time working inside buildings under construction or renovation or outdoors on power and telecommunications systems. They may work in large spaces or in cramped conditions. These working environments often involve live electrical wires, so they can be quite dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken. Often electricians work independently on projects, but they may also be part of a larger construction team.
Unlike many employees who have a regular place of work, electricians work on a remote site for a certain period of time, ranging from a single day to a few months, before moving on to the next job. Job sites can be far from electricians' homes. It's not uncommon for electricians to travel 100 miles or more from their home to complete work.
Apprenticeships in Utah
Utah Technical Training Alliance Electrical Apprenticeship
8000 hours over 5 years
The apprentice learns the skills of the trade through on the job training, working alongside an experienced journeyman who passes on the skills that he or she has learned over the years. In addition to the on the job training the apprentice receives related classroom instruction that produces competency and pride that leads to becoming a true craftsman.
Another true advantage to apprenticeship is you earn while you learn. Apprentices start earning a livable wage as soon as they start working. They receive pay advancements through out their apprenticeship based on performance.
Training Programs at MTECH
MTECH Electrical Apprenticeship
720 Hours
The MTECH Electrical Apprenticeship prepares students to become certified Journeyman Electricians. The State of Utah requires electrical apprentices to have 576 school hours and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training to sit for the state journeyman exam. This is a 720-hour accredited course of study that prepares students for the rigors of state testing and fulfills the State’s educational requirement. It is designed to complement the on-the-job training apprentices receive through their employer, as they work alongside experienced electricians in the field.
Training Programs at SLCC
SLCC Electrical Independent Courses
5 Semesters
Electricians are compulsory licensed craftsmen who plan, lay out and install, alter or repair electrical wiring, fixtures, apparatus and controls. To sit for the journeyman exam, an apprentice must complete 576 minimum hours of related instruction and four years and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT). Application with the State of Utah Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing must be made upon commencement of employment. It is strongly encouraged that students be registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, which is optional at the discretion of the employer.
The College provides classroom-related and supplemental instruction for apprenticeship programs. Classes are held in the days, evenings, and Saturdays, depending on the program. The College neither provides on-the-job training nor acts as a sponsor for apprentices. Individuals must locate their own sponsors. For individual industry-sponsored programs, students should contact their employers’ training director or the Apprenticeship Office.