Electrical Technology Apprenticeship Now Offered in Texarkana

Students can now jumpstart their career in Texarkana College’s new Electrical Technology Apprenticeship program and log hours toward earning their Journeyman Electrician license while taking classes.

This is a huge benefit and time saver for students who want to jump-start their career according to Mark Rushing, TC’s lead program instructor. To become an electrician in Texas, there are several steps to earning a license said Rushing.

“First, a student needs to complete a combination of classroom training hours and on-the-job training hours through a registered apprenticeship program, such as the one now offered by Texarkana College,” said Rushing. “Our program is three semesters long and students can apply to participate in a work co-op during the third semester.

"This is an ideal situation for our students who need to earn money while going to school and it gives students a chance to work with potential employers that could offer them a job once they complete the program.”

The hours students earn through the program help them meet the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s (TDLR) mandated hours to apply for an electrician license Rushing said.

To earn a license, students must also pass the journeyman electrician written exam administered by TDLR. The exam covers topics such as electrical theory, codes, calculations, safety, and wiring methods. At Texarkana College, our program covers all these topics and more while preparing the student to take the exam. A score of at least 70 percent is required to pass the exam.

According to a press release, students can start the program in either the fall or spring semester and can choose to take classes during the day or at night. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in a new state-of-the-art technical lab that simulates a construction site.

TC’s program trains students in residential, commercial, and industrial settings while also teaching techniques for the installation of wiring, circuit breakers, and transformers. Students learn to use digital multi-meters and are trained to identify hazards and how to repair electrical systems.

As a Journeyman Electrician, you can expect to start out earning anywhere from $25-$35 per hour, depending on the type of employer you work for. Rushing said his career as an electrician has allowed him to have a career in a field he finds rewarding and always in demand.

For more information and to get started in TC’s Electrical Technology program, go to their website here or call 903-823-3012 to schedule a tour or to talk to an advisor. Fall semester classes begin August 14, 2024.