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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Tar Heel State.
The growing demand for electricians in North Carolina — including apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, and electrical contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 17% growth rate for electricians in North Carolina and 6% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in North Carolina posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch your electrical industry career in North Carolina.
Accredited North Carolina Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
North Carolina requires workers to obtain an electrician license before performing electrical work in the state. Electrical contractor licenses are issued at the state level via the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC), while municipalities have their own requirements for journeyman electrician licenses.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in North Carolina:
Randolph Community College in Asheboro
Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte
Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington
Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh
Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown
Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville
College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City
Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville
Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory
Cleveland Community College in Shelby
Durham Technical Community College in Durham
North Carolina Apprenticeships
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering degree at one of the four-year universities in North Carolina such as:
North Carolina State University in Raleigh
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro
As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges and trade schools are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician.
Typically, these programs include coursework in the fundamentals of electrical technology. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
AC/DC theory
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Systems and Controls
Communication Systems
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
OSHA standards
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at North Carolina community colleges on average is $3,923 per year for in-state students and $9,541 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Because North Carolina issues journeyman licenses at the local level, the length of training varies by municipality.
For instance, Mecklenburg County requires apprentices to work for four years under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor to become eligible for a journeyman license.
However, apprentices in Raleigh only need to demonstrate two years of work experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or journeyman electrician.
Level of Difficulty
Electrical training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of North Carolina’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.
Central Piedmont Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical System Technology
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology diploma
Wake Technical Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical System Technology
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology diploma
Guilford Technical Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical System Technology
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology diploma
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology - Controls certificate
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology - Wiring certificate
Coastal Carolina Community College
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology diploma
Offers continuing education for electricians
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Catawba Valley Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical System Technology
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology diploma
Offers an Electrical Systems certificate
Steps for Enrollment in North Carolina
Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship program, you will want to contact the JATC, local union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or with a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a C or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks
Electrician Career Requirements in North Carolina
To recap, North Carolina issues journeyman licenses at the local level. Training requirements typically range from two to four years of hands-on experience, depending on the municipality.
Electrical contractor licenses are issued at the state level by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. The state offers three types of electrical contractor licenses, including:
Limited License: Requires four years of experience.
Intermediate License: Requires six years of experience.
Unlimited License, or Unlimited Classification: Requires five years of experience.
Additionally, electrical contractors need to hold various types of insurance, including general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Contractors must renew their licenses every year and also take continuing education courses. However, the amount of continuing education varies by contractor license type.
For a detailed explanation of North Carolina’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your North Carolina Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in North Carolina
Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy electrician apprenticeship, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in North Carolina? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in North Carolina for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $50,700
Intermediate 2-4 years: $59,800
Senior 4-6 years: $65,800
Supervisor > 7 years: $95,400
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in North Carolina, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.
ApprenticeshipNC maintains a list of open apprenticeships across North Carolina for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships. The Independent Electrical Contractors Greater Charlotte offers non-union apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Midlands Technical College in West Columbia, SC
Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA
Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, TN
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in North Carolina. The opportunities are all around you.
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