Electrical Technician School Training Programs – What You Can Learn

February is Career and Technical Education Month (CTE Month)[i], when we celebrate the schools, faculty, and staff training the next generation of the U.S. workforce. Career and technical education focuses on teaching knowledge and skills for jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Altierus Career College is proud to be a CTE provider. One of the most popular skilled trade programs we offer is our Electrical Construction Technician diploma program. Demand for electricians is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for electricians will grow 10% over the 2018-2028 period, an addition of 74,100 new jobs nationwide[ii]. Electrician jobs also offer strong earning potential, with a national median annual salary of $55,190 in 2018[iii].*

In as little as nine months, we teach students the knowledge and skills they need to pursue entry-level career opportunities on residential and commercial construction sites. In this article, we offer an overview of what you can learn in this electrician diploma program.

Construction Site Procedures

First, we teach our student electricians the basics of working on a construction site. Students learn about safety on the site, plus regulations around issues such labor practices and material handling. We also introduce students to reading and interpreting construction blueprints, common hand and power tools on construction sites, and the fundamentals of professional communication.

Students will also gain a working knowledge of the National Electrical Code and refer to its requirements as they progress through different projects over the course of the program.

Electrical Theory

This electrician training program also covers the fundamental scientific principles behind electricity and electrical systems. Students gain an understanding of concepts including electrons, electrical charges and polarity. They also learn how to measure and test electrical energy within a system, including the mathematics needed to make calculations when analyzing electrical circuits.

The electrical theory course content also covers the difference between AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) systems, as well as transformers, semiconductors, and other basic electrical components.

Understanding Electrical Circuits and Circuit Components

Students also learn the fundamentals of circuit design for commercial and residential power systems. This includes key components of circuits, such as raceways (the enclosed conduits that contain and protect a circuit’s electrical cables and wiring) and transformers (devices that pass electrical energy from one circuit to another). Students learn about potential faults in circuits that could cause current overload leading to fire or injury, and how to safeguard circuits against the most common faults.

Electrician Craft Skills

Throughout the program, our students learn hands-on skills for installing and maintaining electrical systems. That means practicing the fundamentals of effectively and safely handling materials. Our students learn procedures for installing many components, including:

• Electrical conduit
• Device boxes
• Wiring
• Circuit breaker panels
• Switches
• Lighting fixtures
• Low-voltage system components, for CCTV, intercoms, security systems, and more

Students will also learn to bend conduit, set up cable-pulling equipment, ground and bond electrical equipment, and develop switches for controlling electric motors.

Safety, Safety, Safety

Electrical power makes modern life possible, but the energy involved can also cause damage to people and property if mishandled. That’s why we emphasize safe practices and procedures throughout our electrical construction technician diploma program. We want to graduate students who are prepared to be professionals on the job site—and that means putting safety first.

Learn More

Interested in training for a career as an electrician? Our nine-month Electrical Construction Technician Diploma program can help you prepare, and CTE Month is the perfect time to take the first step. Visit Altierus Career College to learn more today!

References: Altierus Career College Houston Bissonett 2020 Catalog, pp. 53-55.

*The lowest 10% of earners earned less than $32,940 in 2018. Salary prospects are not guaranteed. Figures quoted are for the national market; local job markets vary.

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[i] https://www.acteonline.org/why-cte/cte-awareness/cte-month/

[ii] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-6

[iii] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-5