California is a diverse state and this diversity is reflected in the different careers available for those who are looking for work. One career that is always in demand, whether due to population growth or the aging workforce, is the field of electricians. Electrical work encompasses all aspects of electronics and power systems and it does not matter if you specialize in commercial, residential, or industrial applications. The following are some electrician training schools and courses in California that can help you get started in the field or expand your skillset;
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College is a community college located at 4501 West Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, California. It was established in 1913 and is one of the oldest public institutions in the state. The school offers a broad range of associate degrees and certificate programs and has an enrollment of approximately 21,000 students. The institution is divided into three campuses – Downtown Campus, Highland Campus, and the Panorama Campus. Programs offered include those for adults seeking career advancement as well as those for high school graduates who do not have a university-level education.
address; 1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305-1299
phone; (661) 395-4011
website;https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu
Imperial Valley College
Imperial Valley College (IVC) is a public community college founded in 1973 and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). It offers associate’s degrees, certificate programs and specialized training and has a student population of over 11,000. They are spread out over three campuses in Imperial and Riverside Counties. IVC offers training programs in a variety of fields, including those that are geared towards fast-growing sectors like healthcare, energy and technology.
address; 380 E. Aten Road, Imperial, CA 92251-0158
phone; (760) 352-8320
website; https://www.imperial.edu
Fresno City College
The school offers Electrical Systems Technology, Communications Systems Technology, and Industrial Maintenance & Operations Technology. The programs last for two years each and are offered at the Downtown Campus. The admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent and previous work experience as an apprentice electrician or lighting technician. There are various evening classes as well as continuing education units that are available for electrical technicians who do not have a formal education, enabling them to complete the training on their own time.
address; 1101 E. University Ave, Fresno, CA 93741
phone; (559) 442-4600
website; https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu
Antelope Valley College
The school offers many highly technical programs of study, including those that are geared towards technicians who are seeking to advance in their careers. The Antelope Valley College is the first community college established in California and has been providing educational services for over 50 years. It has an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students and offers associate degrees and certificate programs in a range of fields, including those that are closely related to the electrical industry.
address; 3041 West Ave K, Lancaster, CA 93536-5426
Phone; (661) 722-6300
website; https://avc.bncollege.com/
Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education
This school is unique because it provides a high-quality education with a specialized focus on careers in the electrical industry. The school is based in Baldwin Park and offers certificate, diploma and associate’s degrees. The programs last for either one year or two years and are available on campus or in evening classes. The school has earned accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect the quality of education that it offers.
address; 4640 N. Maine Ave, Baldwin Park, CA 91706-4221
phone; (626) 856-4101
website; https://bpace.bpusd.net
East Los Angeles College
EPIC is one of the first community colleges in California and has been operating since 1949. Its programs are accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and it has an enrollment of over 8,000 students spread out over two campuses. The school offers associate’s degrees, certificate programs as well as courses that are geared towards career advancement. It also offer electrical technology, networking, and multimedia courses.
address; 1801 E. Valley Blvd., El Monte, CA 91731-4595
phone; (626) 574-5000
website; https://www.elac.edu
El Camino Community College District
The school was established in 1972, 100 years after the first community college opened in California. The college has an enrollment of over 14,000 students and offers associate’s degrees and certificate programs as well as continuing education tuition. It is located in a number of locations throughout the state and offers training to those who are interested in establishing careers that are related to the electrical industry.
address; 333 E Valley Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
phone; (626) 356-4357
website; https://www.elcamino.edu
Glendale Community College
The school has an on-campus housing facility and numerous student clubs. It offers Certificate, Diploma and Associate’s degree programs in a range of fields, including those that are closely related to the electrical industry. Its academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence in education.
address; 1500 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208-2894
phone; (818) 240-1000
website; https://www.glendale.edu
InterCoast Colleges-West Covina
The school is a part of the InterCoast Colleges system, which has been established since 1972. The college offers full-time and part-time programs, as well as continuing education units. It is located in West Covina and a large number of students attend classes here. Their courses are offered to students who are serving in the military as well as those who are pursuing a career that is related to the electrical industry.
address; 7361 Greenback Lane, West Covina, CA 91790-0864
phone; (626) 839-1111
website;https://intercoast.edu/locations/westcovina
The school offers associate’s and certificate programs that are designed to prepare students for careers in the electrical industry. Its academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect the quality of education that is offered.
address; 270 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90815
phone; (562) 491-7400
Los Angeles City College
The school offers associate’s degree and certificate programs, as well as continuing education courses. It is located in downtown Los Angeles and provides the highest level of academic training that is available in the region. Its accreditation is maintained by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that their accomplishments reflect excellence.
address; 312 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
phone; (213) 978-9227
website; http://www.lacitycollege.edu/
Los Angeles Harbor College
The school offers numerous associate and certificate programs that are related to the electrical industry. It has an enrollment of over 8,000 students and has earned accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence. It also offer electrical technology, networking and multimedia courses.
address; 500 West Willow Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
phone; (323) 653-3200
website; https://lahc.edu
Los Angeles Pierce College
The school is located in the San Fernando Valley and offers associate’s degree, certificate and continuing education programs that are related to the electrical industry. It is a part of the Los Angeles Pierce College System, which has been in operation since 1929. The college’s academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence.
address; 1601 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018-6027
Phone; (323) 343-3400
website; https://www.piercecollege.edu
Mt San Antonio College
The school has an enrollment of over 15,000 students and offers associate’s degrees and certificate programs in a number of fields. It is one of the largest community colleges in the state and has an interesting history. It is located in Walnut, California and provides associate’s degrees that are geared towards students who wish to enter the electrical field.
address; 1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789
phone; (909) 594-4444
website; https://www.mtsac.edu
Pasadena City College
The school is located in Pasadena, California and has maintained an association with the California Community Colleges System since 1933. It offers associate’s degrees and certificate programs in a range of fields, including those that are related to the electrical industry. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence in education.
address; 801 East Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101-3950
phone; (626) 744-0870
website;https://www.pasadena.edu
Merced College
The school is part of the California Community Colleges System and has been in operation since 1947. It offers a number of associate’s degree and certificate programs. Many of its programs are designed to provide high quality training that is related to the electrical industry. Its academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence in education.
address; 3501 W 12th St, Merced, CA 95340-4999
phone; (209) 386-6311
website; https://www.mccd.edu/
Chabot College
The school is located in Hayward, California and has an enrollment of over 9,000 students. It offers numerous associate’s degree and certificate programs. Many of them are geared towards students who wish to enter the electrical industry as a line worker or an electrician. Its academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence in education. The school frequently provides discounts to members of the military who attend classes there.
address; 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
phone; (510) 723-6611
website; http://www.chabotcollege.edu/
Contra Costa College
Contra Costa College is part of the California Community Colleges System and has been in operation since 1947. It offers associate’s degrees, certificate programs and continuing education classes. Many of its programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the electrical industry. Its academic credentials have been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), meaning that its accomplishments reflect excellence in education.
address; 2600 Mission Bell Dr, San Pablo, CA 94806-3199
phone; (510) 879-6906
website; https://www.contracosta.edu/
The above are the top schools throughout California that offer associate’s degrees and certificates in the electrical industry. You should be able to find them in one of the local communities where you want to attend school.
Associated Builders & Contractors of Southern California
ABC SoCal offers fully accredited, state and federally approved apprenticeship training programs in the following trades:
Anaheim:
LA/Ventura:
Benefits of being in the Electrical field:
- This program is governed by the State of California and/or the Federal Standards and Program Rules and Regulations
- Length of the program is four and a half years – 8,000 on-the-job training hours
- Program is overseen by the following: ABC SoCal Merit Training Trust (For Anaheim), Los Angeles/Ventura Merit Training Trust Fund (For Los Angeles) and the Electrical Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee.
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined
- Anaheim Location – 8 hours a day for two consecutive weeks every four to six months, for a total of 80 hours per semester, 160 hours per year.
- LA/Ventura Location – 4 hours per night for 20 weeks, 80 hours per semester.
To view the curriculum for this program, click here.
San Diego Associated Builders and Contractors
Offers an electrician apprenticeship program.
American River College (ARC)
ARC offers an Electrician Trainee Program in the Sacramento area.
This program provides instruction in the installation, operation, and maintenance of residential and commercial electrical distribution systems. Topics include safety training, AC/DC electrical theory, metering, electronics, use of electrical codes, raceways, conductors, grounding, motors, transformers, fire alarm systems, fiber optics, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. It complies with state regulations to become an electrician trainee – see the California Department of Industrial Relations’ electrician trainee guide. Upon completion of the program, students may find employment in the following industry sectors: government, residential and commercial construction and maintenance, utilities, and facilities management.
Los Angeles Trade Tech College
LATTC offers Electrical Construction and Maintenance Associate of Science degree, an Electrical Construction and Maintenance Construction Technologies Associate of Arts degree, as well as Certificates of Achievement.
The Associate in Science degree is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the field. Students enrolling in this program should be able to commit to full-time student status, which is approximately 24 hours per week in the classrooms and laboratories, plus at least 12 hours of homework every week. This time commitment is necessary to allow for hands-on training in the laboratory applications used during the course of instruction.
The Associate in Arts degree is an evening-only course of study designed for individuals, currently working in the electrical field, who want to improve or expand their skills. Due to the limitations of the student’s available evening hours, much of the hands-on laboratory component is assumed to be provided at the student’s place of employment. Depending on availability, the Associate in Arts degree may require more time to complete. See the Department Chair for details prior to enrolling.
The Trade School at Shasta Builder’s Exchange
Some of the topics covered in these courses include:
- Orientation to the Electrical Trade
- Electrical Safety
- Introduction to Electrical Circuits
- Electrical Theory
- Introduction to the National Electrical Code®
- Device Boxes
- Hand Bending
- Raceways and Fittings
- Conductors and Cables
- Basic Electrical Construction Drawings
- Residential Electrical Services
- Electrical Test Equipment
- Alternating Current
- Motors: Theory and Application
- Electric Lighting
- Conduit Bending
- Pull and Junction Boxes
- Conductor Installations
- Cable Tray
- Conductor Terminations and Splices
- Grounding and Bonding
- Circuit Breakers and Fuses
- Control Systems and Fundamental Concepts
Offers an Inside Wireman (Electrical) Apprenticeship Program
This training program is a 5-year program approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards for the State of California and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. The program requires that each apprentice receive a minimum of 8000 hours of on-the-job training in the electrical construction industry with the supervision of a Journeyman Wireman electrician. During the course of the apprenticeship, each apprentice is transferred on a yearly basis to a new contractor.
This allows the apprentice to receive a variety of in-depth experience in electrical skills while in the apprenticeship. Electrical Training Institute makes all placements with contractors.
The Diablo Valley College Pre-Apprenticeship program is designed with the career-focused student in mind. This fast-paced program puts students on track to a career in the building trades.
Students will receive the training they need for a new and exciting career in a number of apprenticeship programs, including:
- Electrician
