Electrician
Become a Skilled Electrician and Help Power the World
Electrician Training in San Diego
Light Up Your Future with Training as an Electrician
The services that electricians provide are critical to just about every industry out there. Our homes, our stores, our businesses — none of them would function without the electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems that electricians are trained to install, repair, and maintain. This makes it a vital industry unlikely to go anywhere. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for electricians is growing much faster than average.
What Does an Electrician Do?
As an electrician, you’ll likely have multiple clients queued up in a day, and each of them might require different tasks and skills. This can include:
- Installing and maintaining wiring, control, and lighting systems in homes, businesses, and factories
- Reading blueprints and technical diagrams
- Inspecting electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers, and identifying problems using a variety of testing devices
- Repairing and replacing wiring, equipment, and fixtures
- Following state and local building regulations based on the National Electrical Code
What Will I Learn in an Electrician Program?
At Summit College, our 36-week Electrician certificate program uses both classroom and hands-on instruction to train you in the essentials of everything from electrical safety and theory to the National Electric Code to client communication skills.
What will course instruction look like?
Our Electrician program is delivered through our unique Hyflex format, which combines both on-campus and online lecture and lab hours, leveraging the strengths of both in order to provide the best in education and training. Each class session and activity is offered
- In-person
- Synchronously online
- Asynchronously online
Lab hours are specifically aimed at giving you the opportunity to get hands-on practice with exercises and activities that broaden your understanding and help you gain industry-related skills.
Is Career Training Right for You?
Take the Summit College Career Training Readiness Quiz
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
What electrician classes will I take?
The curriculum for the Electrician program offered at Summit College El Cajon includes the following courses:
- Electrical Theory
- Measuring for Electricians
- National Electric Code
- Electrical Circuits
- AC Machines & Motors
- Low Voltage
- Green Electricity
- Residential Installation
- Commercial Installation
What Is the Job Outlook for Electricians in California?
The need for trained electricians is nationwide, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that employment will grow 9% through 2034, much faster than the average, even when compared to other construction trades. Average annual job openings are expected to be over 80,000.
In California, we’re seeing even more intensive growth. Projections Central, run by the U.S. Department of Labor, projects growth of electrician employment to hit 13%, with around 8,300 job openings on average every year.
Where can electricians work?
Graduates of the Electrician certificate program can seek employment installing, repairing, and maintaining systems throughout the San Diego area, working for:
- Electrical contractors
- Construction companies
- Manufacturing facilities
- Residential service companies
- Building maintenance services
- Government facilities
Electricians can also be self-employed and work directly with customers to hire out their skills and services.
What jobs can I get with an Electrician certificate?
Here are just some of the career possibilities:
- Control Electrician
- Electrical Journeyperson
- Electrician
- Housing Maintenance Electrician
- Electrical Troubleshooter
- Industrial Electrician
- Lineman
El Cajon Campus
At Summit College El Cajon, you’ll have access to ample classrooms equipped with audiovisual technology, labs outfitted with updated equipment and instruments, computer labs, handicap-accessible restroom facilities, and a student lounge. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Medical Assistant Campus Address (MA Program)
124 W. Main Street, Suite 200
El Cajon, CA 92020
Located at the northwest corner of W. Main Street and Magnolia Ave., just south of I-8 and a 10-minute ride from El Cajon Station on the 815 bus
Phone Number and Hours
General Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number: 888.504.2552
Why Should You Choose Summit College El Cajon?
You can have both future job prospects and the fulfilling career you dream of, and it starts with getting the training and skills you’ll need to join the dedicated healthcare heroes out there making a difference every day. That’s where Summit College comes in. Summit has been helping students get the training and skills they need to pursue successful careers in medical assisting since 1991. We do it with the philosophy that we’re in this together with each and every student — and that means providing support and encouragement — every step of the way.
- Professional faculty focused on your success: Your instructors have all done the job you’re training for and use their experience to prepare you for real-world situations. You’ll develop critical administrative and clinical skills through hands-on learning and will benefit from small class sizes.
- Comprehensive curriculum: Learn about phlebotomy and lab procedures, computer operations, body system functions, tool sterilization, EKGs, insurance claim processing and basic office procedures.
- Flexible, short-term programs: We understand and value your time. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling, with day, evening, and weekend options, and programs that can get you career-ready in under a year.
Ready for What’s Next?
Your Path to Success Starts Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Become an Electrician in California?
The recommended path for becoming an electrician in California is to start as an electrician trainee. To register as one, you have to submit an application, pay a $25 fee, and submit proof that you are enrolled in an approved school, like Summit College.
While admissions requirements for electrician training programs vary from school to school, to apply at Summit College El Cajon, you need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide an acceptable high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Complete an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Meet the required level of proficiency with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English
Once you have completed your approved Electrician training program and are registered as a trainee, you will need to complete a certain number of hours of on-the-job experience, depending on the type of electrician you are looking to be:
- General Electrician — 8000 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code
- Residential Electrician — 4800 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code
- Voice Data Video Technician — 4000 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code
- Fire/Life Safety Technician — 4000 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code
- Non-Residential Lighting Technician — 2000 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code
What Is a Journeyman Electrician?
“Journeyman” or “journeyperson” is a term you might see pop up in the skilled trades field, and it’s worth taking a second to define what exactly it means. At the very beginning of your career, you’re generally considered an electrician apprentice, meaning that your work is supervised and overseen by an experienced technician.
Becoming a journeyman electrician means that you have achieved enough training and experience that you can work with minimal supervision, and it puts you on the path to becoming a master electrician, who can manage teams, supervise apprentices, and oversee projects.
What Kinds of Certifications or Licenses Do I Need to Be an Electrician?
Not every electrician job requires a certificate in California, but there is a notable exception: Any electrician who works for a class C-10 licensed contractor must be certified. C-10 is the electrical contractor license according to the California Code of Regulations:
An electrical contractor places, installs, erects or connects any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduits, solar photovoltaic cells or any part thereof, which generate, transmit, transform or utilize electrical energy in any form or for any purpose.
So, while you could technically work as an electrician without this certification, not getting it means your job options will be much more limited.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Electrician?
This can honestly vary depending on the path you take and the program you enroll in. Electrician programs at community colleges can sometimes take a year or more to graduate, while electrician trade schools often offer short-term training designed to maximize your time. Summit College El Cajon’s Electrician program, for example, can be completed in just 36 weeks.
How Much Does Electrician Trade School Cost?
Tuition costs can vary widely. The school’s cost per credit hour, the length of their program, their auxiliary fees — all of this can add up to different levels of financial burden for the student. Summit College El Cajon has designed our programs to be as efficient as possible so that your time and your budget are respected. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.
