Looking to start apprenticeship in Texas and need advice....

[kapk22]

We recently moved to Texas and I a interested in starting a career in the electrical field. From what I am finding is, there are a couple of different routes I can go. Please correct me if I am wrong.

1. I can simply enroll in college and take courses without getting paid at a job. Then try and find a job, once I have completed the coursework.

2. Find a local company that will hire me as a "helper" to work with current electricians and get paid. This would allow me to get hours toward obtaining my license.

My question is, do I still need to take any college courses in order to obtain the apprenticeship license?

** It sounds like this process can take from four to five years.

Another question I have is: If I obtain my license in Texas and decide to move to another state, will I have to go through another long process in order to obtain the license in that state?

I would really like to find a job with a local business that would allow me to work toward my license and be able to pay my bills at the same time.

Any help, advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You guys

 

[tom baker]

You need to become very familiar with your states laws and rules for electrical training and licensing.
Your best option to be able to move to another state is to go by a federally recognized apprenticeship route. You would be eligible to work in WA state by applying and taking the electrical exam which can be done on line once you are approved.

 

[kapk22]

You need to become very familiar with your states laws and rules for electrical training and licensing.
Your best option to be able to move to another state is to go by a federally recognized apprenticeship route. You would be eligible to work in WA state by applying and taking the electrical exam which can be done on line once you are approved.

Thank you for your response. I did find that the local union has an application process to enter the the training program. If accepted, the student is paid while attending courses and the completion requires 8000 hours. I will definitely look into the state laws and more regarding the training and licensing, and determine if the program I am looking at is federally recognized.

 

[Strathead]

Thank you for your response. I did find that the local union has an application process to enter the the training program. If accepted, the student is paid while attending courses and the completion requires 8000 hours. I will definitely look into the state laws and more regarding the training and licensing, and determine if the program I am looking at is

I think you will find that you will have 2000 hours of on the job training that is paid, along with 147 minimum hours per year of unpaid classroom time for four years. This is basically the national requirement for a recognized apprenticeship program. In Texas, there should be both union and non-union companies that offer and apprenticeship. Union often takes a waiting period, and non-union is usually quicker, but Union is also usually a more consistent program. As far as moving, it would be totally up to the union to allow you, or the non-union program you would be going to, if they would accept your previous class time. Your work hours would follow regardless.

 

[ptonsparky]

Verifiable work hours would be very important when moving. Schooling will reduce the number of required on the job experience hours in some states.