Attending a certified electrician school in Austin is the quickest way to become a licensed electrician. Training at an accredited school takes about seven-and-a-half months. You need 8,000 hours of work as an apprentice under a master electrician to become a journeyman electrician. You can then apply for a journeyman license and take the certification test.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, so the demand for certified electrical technicians is steadily increasing. If you're looking into a career as an electrician or journeyman, there are a few ways to get there. One option is to work as an apprentice to a licensed electrician. They will provide you with on-the-job training if you work with their company. But most apprenticeships last three or four years and require thousands of work hours.
Another option is to enroll in a trade school or vocational school and learn the trade there. Schools provide trained staff and a classroom environment that includes hands-on instruction. After graduation, many electrician schools have connections with local businesses and nonprofit organizations that can lead to employment immediately after graduation.
If you want to attend electrician school in Austin, there are a few basic requirements that you must meet:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
To legally work as an electrical technician in Texas, you must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The department can help you apply for a new license or renew an existing one. If you decide to go to a vocational school, you should ensure that it has been approved by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Training lasts about seven and a half months at an electrical trade school. You will learn about the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems for both residential and commercial properties. The curriculum includes classes on commercial wiring, grounding electrical, programmable controllers, tech electrical, arc welding, fiber optic electrical, conduit bending for electrical, standard first aid, and other relevant topics.
Hands-on training aims to make students more comfortable in the trade and competition in the job market. At electrician trade school, students learn various career skills, such as:
- The operation, installation, maintenance, and repair of electronics and electrical wiring
- Managing electrical distribution panels, power transmissions, AC/DC motors and controls, wiring, and instrumentation
- Supervising inspections and generating estimates
- Knowledge of existing codes and regulations
- Safety skills
- Apprentice Electrician: This is the basic license to become an apprentice electrician in Texas.
- Residential Wireman: A residential wireman license requires 4,000 hours of experience under the tutelage of a master electrician. All hours must be documented and signed off by a supervisor.
- Journeyman Electrician: To become a journeyman electrician, you need 8,000 hours of work as an apprentice under a master electrician. You can then apply for a journeyman license and take the journeyman certification test.
- Master Electrician: Master electrician certification requires 12,000 hours of work under a master electrician. Before applying, you must also have a journeyman license for at least two years.
Recent graduates of an electrical training program can find entry-level employment working for a master electrician as wiring installers or technicians servicing electrical systems in several electrical and related trades in residential and commercial environments.
If you're looking to attend electrical school in Austin, you have a few options. There are often questions about the cost of electrician school and if there is Financial Aid available. For many students, the cost of attending school is either completely covered or significantly reduced in a few different ways.
First, the good schools have Financial Aid experts available to walk you through the entire process. However, you can do it all yourself online as well. You can apply for Financial Aid by visiting studentaid.gov and filling out a FAFSA application for free. Our Federal School is 042825. Once our school code is added to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, an estimated award letter can be generated for you. This will show you exactly how much you might be eligible for in funding.
Several Pell Grants and scholarships are available that are awarded based on a student's financial need. They will help cover the cost of your education. There are often outside grants and scholarships offered by outside companies and nonprofit organizations. Pell Grants and scholarships are considered gifts and do not need to be repaid if you complete the course. The amount of a grant or scholarship varies considerably based on its criteria. If you need additional funding, student loans are available. Your loan details will be outlined in your loan agreement, but you will need to pay any loans back on time and with interest.
For Veterans, becoming an electrician can be a good career path following your service. If you're currently enlisted and interested in electrician training, start by talking with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or military counselor. If you are enrolled on the GI Bill, you can use your school funding to pay for electrician trade school, and sometimes receive a living allowance while you’re in school. All branches of the military are eligible for assistance:
- Air Force
- Army
- Army National Guard
- Coast Guard
- Marines
- Navy
One of the best features of an electrical trade school is the job connections within the community for placement after graduation. Many graduates of a good Austin electrical school have jobs waiting for them after graduation. This is because most schools have excellent ties with the community and the contact info for many local companies. While there is no guarantee of a job after graduation, businesses often come to trade schools to find their next employee because they know they are trained with the proper skills and knowledge to do the job.
A good trade school teams with local employers to match their needs with recent graduates' skills. As part of your trade school training, you will learn the finer points of building a solid career, including:
- Proper training by experienced educators
- Job interviewing skills
- Job readiness training
- Customer service
- Resume tips
- Guest speakers with real-world expertise