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Start Your New Career as an Electrician

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How California Training Benefits Can Help Laid-Off Workers Start New Careers

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How California Training Benefits Can Help Laid-Off Workers Start New Careers

March 6, 2021

Because of the COVID pandemic and the resulting shutdowns, millions find themselves without jobs. A number of industries have been hit particularly hard—for example, the retail sector lost close to 3 million jobs and the restaurant industry lost more than 6 million jobs.

Job hunting is difficult to begin with, and was made even harder during the pandemic. Some of those who have been laid off may be considering trade school, rather than look for jobs in their original industries. But making a move into an entirely new industry takes training, which can be very challenging for those new to a trade.  

Fortunately, the state of California has long recognized that to keep unemployment rates down, it is vital that the public can secure the means to enroll in the education and training programs required for a new career. Workers who have filed for unemployment have access to California Training Benefits (CTB). While these benefits don’t help pay for training courses, they do give those in a trade school more time to focus on their studies by eliminating certain requirements for receiving unemployment. And in some instances, CTB does provide for additional unemployment payments.

How does a worker qualify for California Training Benefits, and what do they do?

In California, individuals who file for unemployment can request CTB by indicating their intent to participate in an eligible training program. 

CTB does not cover tuition or other education costs. However, CTB does waive certain unemployment requirements. If you quality for CTB and attend a trade school, you do not have to be:

  • Actively seeking employment
  • Available to work
  • Able to accept “suitable” work

Those qualifying for CTB will not have to meet the above requirements to receive weekly EDD payments. Instead, you are allowed to collect unemployment benefits while going through training, such as the electrical training courses offered by I-TAP.

Additionally, CTB recipients can file for a training extension (TE) on their unemployment claims. This must be done by the 16th week of UI benefits, or prior to the end of benefits, whichever comes first. The extension allows CTB recipients to extend the period for which they receive UI payments. However, eligibility for and the duration of TE depends upon your individual circumstances. There is no guarantee that you will be able to receive UI for the duration of your training.

I-TAP offers a great opportunity for you to take advantage of CTB, while also helping you find other sources of tuition assistance.

You may still be wondering how you can afford to cover the cost of tuition at I-TAP by relying strictly on unemployment. Our financial aid advisors are skilled at helping our future professionals find additional sources of financial assistance, such as Title IV loans and grants—including the Pell Grant— the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and even state funding for ex-offenders.

I-TAP’s electrician training courses include an intensive 26-week program, which offers an excellent opportunity to gain in-demand skills and knowledge about our trade. However, it is also a serious time commitment which can make it challenging to search for work, and subsequently maintain full or part-time employment. CTB offers the means to reduce this burden on aspiring electricians, allowing them to focus solely on their chosen training program.

The pandemic has majorly disrupted the economy, and millions have lost their jobs. If you lost your job, or you are someone currently receiving unemployment but are ready to start a career as an electrician, I-TAP can help! Start your journey today by giving us a call or sending us a message using our contact form.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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What Tools Do Electricians Need? Where Can You Buy Them?

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What Tools Do Electricians Need? Where Can You Buy Them?

OVERWHELMED BY THE COST OF THE TOOLS NEEDED TO BE A COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN? YOU'RE NOT ALONE. LEARN WHAT TOOLS YOU REALLY NEED, AND SAVE MONEY.

February 26, 2021

Electricians need a lot of tools: wrenches and wire cutters, multimeters and plug testers, vise grips and… well, the list goes on! But this is true of any blue-collar trade—hand tools and power tools are essential to the job. You can’t do anything without them. 

If you are just starting out your career as an electrician apprentice, you’re probably wondering what tools you need, and may even be hesitant about how much they will cost.

With a bit of research and careful budgeting, you can get the tools needed to fulfill your job requirements without breaking the bank.

Looking at what duties you need to fulfill as an electrician can help you identify which tools you absolutely need.

Okay, so let’s take a step back and ask the question, what do commercial electricians typically do on a jobsite? Generally speaking, an electrician should be able to do the following with either hand tools or power tools, depending on the situation:

  • Install, test, and repair wiring, electrical fixtures, and equipment.
  • Diagnose and repair malfunctioning systems and machinery.
  • Fix circuit breakers and transformers.
  • Inspect components and equipment for hazards and defects.
  • Connect wires and install ground leads for equipment.
  • Cut components to size and mount/install.
  • Fabricate minor parts based on specifications
  • Mount/install plastic and metal housings
  • Trenching for laying conduit wires.

Obviously, this doesn’t account for every situation, or even the bulk of what you may do on the worksite. But you need to ensure that you have the tools necessary to do these tasks.

What are the must-have hand tools and power tools you’ll need for a job as an electrician?

First, here are the basic hand tools you’ll likely need.

  • Cable cutters
  • Conduit bender
  • Conduit reamer
  • Crescent wrench
  • Fish tape and fish pole
  • Flashlight and/or headlamp
  • Hammer
  • Hacksaw
  • Hex keys
  • Knife – some employers ban cheap knives and box cutters, but allow splicing knives and hook blades
  • Labeling machine
  • Level – ideally a torpedo level
  • Marker – can be basic sharpies, or purpose-designed, like Milwaukee’s Inkzall products
  • Multimeter
  • Nut driver set
  • Pliers – channel locks, and heavy duty long-nose and side-cutting lineman’s pliers
  • Plug tester
  • Screwdriver set, as well as optionally a multi-tool for minor work
  • Tape measure – preferably one equipped with a rare earth magnet
  • Voltage detector/tester
  • Wire crimper
  • Wire stripper
  • Wrench set, and ratchet wrenches if possible

There are some additional hand tools that are advisable to pick up, but may not be absolutely necessary starting out. These include:

  • Aviation pliers and clamps
  • Circuit breaker finder
  • Clamp multimeter
  • Electrician’s scissors
  • Insulated screwdriver set
  • Jab saw
  • Knockout punch set
  • Laser measuring tool
  • Non-contact voltage tester
  • Pipe reamer
  • Receptacle tester
  • Roto-Split
  • Socket wrench set, ideally metal ratchet
  • Tin snips
  • Tri-square
  • Vise grips

In addition, there are some basic power tools that you’ll need in your tool bag, such as a power drill and a set of bits, and a couple power saws (cut-off, hole, portable band saw, and reciprocating or spiral). Also, you’ll need a tool belt and a tool bag, but don’t go overboard buying fancy products. As long as you can transport your tools effectively, you’re good to go.

You can find most of the tools you need at a local hardware store, but you can also do your shopping online. If cost is a concern—tools and tool sets can get pretty expensive—keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need the name brand stuff. There are tool sets as much as half the price of the more expensive name brand sets, but they come with identical tools. 

You can buy an electrician tool set—which comes with most or all of the essential tools listed above—or you can buy individual tools and build your own set.   

Ask any two journeymen or master electricians if you should buy a tool set or buy individual tools, and you’ll probably get two different answers. Some electricians are loyal to one tool brand, whereas other electricians have no preference at all. Some electricians use tools until they wear out, whereas other electricians frequently cycle through tools in search of the ones they find most preferable. 

When it comes to tools, do what works best for you. 

If you’re just starting out, you might not know what works best just yet. That’s okay—as you gain more on-the-job experience, you’ll figure it out. What you need to make sure of is that you have all the tools you need (refer to our list above) at all times. 

Purchase a tool set if you…

Want a convenient, all-in-one package that has most or all the tools you need. You might have to double-check the tool requirements with your employer, and may end up buying a couple extra tools not included in the tool set, but you should be good to go for your first day on the job. Most sets come with a work belt and tool bag, two things you will need.  Even a basic, relatively inexpensive Amazon tool set should work. You can build out your tools over time as you get more experience and earn more money. 

Purchase tools individually if you… 

Are already familiar with electrician tools and/or have a brand preference. Buying tools individually can be a bit more challenging, as you’ll have to spend some time gathering all the tools you need instead of just grabbing a set off the shelf. However, if you already know the tools and the tool brands that you want, it shouldn’t take a ton of effort. Just be sure to get everything you need! 

I-TAP has relationships with vendors and students get discounts. 

With some research and proper preparation—and maybe a couple Home Depot gift cards from friends and family—you’ll find that you can afford to buy the tools you need to work as a commercial electrician.

And if you’re still in the process of deciding if a career as an electrician is right for you, I-TAP can help. To learn more, contact us by calling (916) 296-9263, or by sending us a message using our contact form below!

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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How to Find an Electrician Job When You’re Just Starting Out

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How to Find an Electrician Job When You’re Just Starting Out

LOOKING TO GET YOUR START IN THE ELECTRICAL TRADE, BUT NOT SURE HOW TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR?

February 17, 2021

Maybe you have a relative or friend who works in the electrical trade, you’ve heard their stories, and the job (and pay!) sounds great. Or maybe you don’t know anybody in a skilled trade, and don’t know much about electrical work in general, but think a career in the industry looks promising.

Either way, you’d like to get to work on a jobsite, but you just aren’t sure where to start. First things first: in California, you must be a card-carrying electrical trainee or a registered apprentice. Both are eligible to take the certification test at the end of their respective program. To obtain an electrical trainee card, or to become an apprentice, you must enroll in a state- or federally approved training program. You can do just that at I-TAP—we offer 26-week trainee and 5-year apprenticeship training programs, designed to get you the knowledge and experiences needed to get your foot in the door with employers.

But maybe you want to start building connections before taking on the financial obligation and time commitment of enrolling in a training program. Here is a brief rundown of common ways that people like you started down the path to working as electricians.

Know someone who’s an electrician or works in construction? Use those connections!

The electrical field, and construction in general, is a very old-school industry. Word of mouth and knowing people in the business has a lot of value.

If you have a relative or a friend who is an electrician, or who works in construction, ask them questions. Pick their brains. If they know someone who is hiring laborers, they might be willing to move you up to an electrical trainee position once you start your schooling.

And there you go—you have some momentum already built as you start your training. If you know somebody who works in the industry, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Don’t know someone in the electrical business? There are other ways to connect with people in the industry.

Some professional tradespeople use LinkedIn, Facebook, and other online platforms and tools to connect with people in the industry. This is a good way to build connections, especially during the pandemic.

LinkedIn is like a career-focused social network. But you don’t need to have had a long career or robust resume to create a profile. Even people just starting out can use it to contact those already established in their careers. 

The same goes for other social media networks, like Facebook. Consider reaching out to people you know work in the electrical industry. You can also search around for local electrician Facebook groups. Try searching something like  “[Your Location] + construction group,” “electrician group,” and other similar keywords. Use Facebook’s filters to show only the “Group” results. Once you’ve found some helpful groups, try posting a message asking for help on your path to becoming an electrician.

This will take a bit of work—there is a chance people won’t respond, and you definitely don’t want to spam people and risk annoying them—but if just one or two people get back to you, you’ll be well on your way.

Also consider alternatives to electrical work as a way to get a foot in the door. During non-Covid times, going around to local construction companies (electrical companies won’t be able to hire you unless you hold a trainee card but that doesn’t mean they can’t go talk to them.  A lot of companies will hire you as you are in the process of training. At the very least, speaking with pros in the industry is always a good idea. Put on a clean pair of pants and a work shirt—a suit and tie are a bit much—and start knocking on doors and introducing yourself.

Be sure to ask how best to apply for a job. Some companies may be willing to schedule an appointment with you to discuss hiring. Others may want you to turn in a paper application or fill out an online form.

As with networking over social media, don’t expect success right off the bat. Some businesses may decline to talk. If you’re putting your best foot forward and are positive and clear about your willingness to work your way up from the bottom, many will respect your drive despite your lack of experience.

It helps to have a basic plan for starting your electrical career drawn up—either in your head or on paper—that you can provide if asked.

For instance: “My goal is to ultimately sign up for a 5-year training program at I-TAP, but I think it’s important to get the basics down and learn what it’s like working out in the field. So, I’d like to work for 6 months to a year on the jobsite doing basic labor before I sign up for my classes. Whenever you have a position open for an electrical trainee, I hope that you would consider me at that time. But until I have the skills you’re looking for in a trainee, I’m willing to work hard at whatever job you’ll consider me for.”

Your plan may look a little different, but the basic idea is to be prepared with some sort of short- and long-term plan.

Coming up with a career plan—not necessarily a definitive plan, just the general idea of one—might seem hard to do at first. But just think about it: you already know you want to connect with people in the electrical industry to learn what it’s all about. So, that’s your short-term plan right there. Now think about where you want to be in 3 to 5 years. Once you figure that out, you can really talk about your goals with people who may help and/or hire you.

Contacting I-TAP or signing up for a class now is also a great way to find jobs.

Believe it or not, many of our students have referred one another both to us for electrical training, and for jobs as well. If you send us a message through our contact form, or give us a call at (916) 269-9263, you’ll have a chance to see what we have to offer, and talk to some of our current students.

Take the time to ask them how they got jobs, what it’s like starting out as a new trainee electrician, and if they have any ideas where you can get your foot in the door. You’ll discover that our students, and electricians in general, are a supportive and helpful bunch.

Whether you give us a call or take your own path, if you work hard at it, you’ll almost certainly find your way to a promising career working as an electrician.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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Electrical Employment Training Funding Available for Ex-Offenders

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Electrical Employment Training Funding Available for Ex-Offenders

 

January 22, 2021

Returning to everyday life from jail or prison is a challenging transition for many people, as well as their families and local community. People who have previously been incarcerated are more likely to struggle with substance abuse, lack of education, and limited job skills. 

Research has shown that programs which help recently released individuals find employment actually help—recidivism drops to as low as 3.3% for those who find a job soon after release from prison. That same research suggests nearly 3 out of 4 people end up back in jail if they struggle to find immediate employment. 

At I-TAP, we are big believers that anyone with the desire to work towards earning a good-paying job should have every possible opportunity to fulfill their goals. 

A 2014 law provides funding for ex-offenders who wish to take part in vocational training. 

In September of 2014, Governor Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 2060, the Supervised Population Workforce Training Grant Program. AB-2060 gives California counties grant money to disperse to recently released prisoners who are looking to attend a vocational school. Specifically, the bill provides funding for vocational training, stipends for trainees, and apprenticeship opportunities for the supervised population. 

The “supervised population” includes people who are on parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post-release community supervision by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Lawmakers and researchers agree: workforce training and employment are two of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism rates.

And we are proud to say that I-TAP’s electrician apprenticeship program is one of the many vocational training opportunities available to parolees who wish to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

I-TAP can help you take advantage of the Department of Rehabilitation's vocational funding.

If you are interested in attending I-TAP and need the financial assistance provided by AB-2060, give us a call or fill out our online form. We have extensive experience in requesting and obtaining government funding for our students. If you want to attend vocational training school and become a certified electrician, I-TAP is here to help!

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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How To Use the GI Bill To Pay for Trade School

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How To Use the GI Bill To Pay for Trade School

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

January 19, 2021

Applying to college can be time consuming and frustrating, so quite often college is not part of a hard and fast plan for military service members transitioning to civilian life. On top of what it takes to apply and get accepted, college is a two to four year commitment. The timing has to be just right for everything to fall into place. 

Because of the effort and time commitment it takes to go to college, some might think it best to put off school. 

At I-TAP, we understand the importance of timing, and have firsthand experience admitting veterans who want to go back to school but do not have the time for a conventional four year college program. 

Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to pay trade schools like I-TAP.

The GI Bill benefits aren’t restricted to just junior colleges and universities that grant two- or four-year degrees. The vocational training and apprenticeship programs offered at I-TAP are also also eligible. We have had many military veterans pay their way with the GI Bill. 

However, calculating benefit amounts for apprenticeship programs is different than at a traditional college. Typically, benefits depend upon the number of credit hours you sign up for each quarter or semester. At I-TAP, benefits depend upon the number of hours you spend receiving classroom or lab instruction. Approximately 580 hours, of 900 total hours, will take place in the classroom. You will spend around 320 hours in the lab. 

To meet the GI Bill requirements, you must enroll as a full-time student, taking 18 hours of classroom instruction per week for the duration of the course. I-TAP's electrical training program meets this stipulation, meaning you will be eligible to use your GI Bill benefits!

The GI Bill’s annual maximum benefit of $22,805 is more than enough to cover I-TAP’s total tuition costs.

With the GI Bill, you can complete the I-TAP program for free. For veterans eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the military will pay your tuition directly to us—you won't even need to hand over a check!

You may also be eligible for:

  • A housing allowance of up to $18,972 per year
  • Up to $1,000 per year for books and other materials

Want more information? You can find I-TAP on the vets.gov GI Bill Comparison tool, or just give us a call. One of our admissions counselors will gladly answer your questions. 

If you are ready to start your electrical career attending I-TAP, here’s what you need:

Where your benefits paperwork asks for a facility code, I-TAP's VA facility code is 25185505.

If you want to learn more about I-TAP, or you need help navigating the GI Bill system, contact us today! We have helped many veterans get the financial aid they need. So get in touch—we are happy to assist. 

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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Contractors Are Having Trouble Hiring Electricians—How I-TAP Can Help

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Contractors Are Having Trouble Hiring Electricians—How I-TAP Can Help

December 21, 2020

Every year, the Association of General Contractors of America (AGC) releases the results of a workforce survey that highlights the types of skilled tradespersons employers are having trouble finding and hiring. While the information from this survey is mostly of interest to industry experts, it can also help those considering a career in the trades make more informed choices as to what trades to pursue.

56% of contractors reported it difficult to find and hire electricians. 

Jobs in the electrical field are projected to grow 8% over the next decade, yet contractors find it difficult to hire electricians and skilled workers in general. What gives?

Hiring skilled labor is difficult across the board. It’s not just electricians that employers are having trouble hiring. In fact, out of 20 skilled trades, electricians are the third easiest to hire—concrete workers, pipelayers, carpenters, and plumbers (just to name a few!) are considered more difficult to hire according to top contractors in the United States.

There may be a few reasons for this. For one, there is a shortage of skilled trade workers, meaning the pool of applicants that employers can choose from is limited. As it stands, approximately 2.4 million skilled trade positions may remain unfilled over the next decade. Job openings—unfilled positions—have grown at record rates since 2017, with there now being more job openings than at any other point in the last 20 years.

Also at issue is the quality of available tradespeople, at least according to those who hire for such jobs. 45% of respondents rated tradesperson skill as Poor. Only 15% rated tradesperson skill as either Good or Excellent. 

So, there are two apparent problems contractors face when hiring skilled labor:

  1. Lack of applicants
  2. Lack of quality applicants from an already small pool

Keep in mind that this is a more general overview of the trade industry as a whole—it does not apply to electricians specifically, but it gives us a good idea of the types of struggles both applicants and employers face. 

Employers are turning to vocational training schools like I-TAP to recruit skilled workers. 

Contractors are increasingly having to rely on staffing firms or even build out their own online career centers in an effort to find qualified applicants. There are staffing firms that cater solely to electricians, including Egret Consulting Firm, Premier Electrical Staffing, Electrical Career Specialists, and U.S. Electrical Staffing. 

However, these efforts make up just a fraction of their recruiting—the vast majority of contractors work with training schools like I-TAP to find and hire skilled workers. And it makes sense: if employers think “there just aren’t many applicants to choose from,” what better way to find trained electricians than working directly with the school that prepares them for the workforce? 

Contractors have difficulty filling open positions. One of their most common complaints is that applicants just don’t have the skills they're looking for.

But here at I-TAP, we’re committed to teaching you everything you need to know to become an electrician that can work effectively on the job. That’s why we have and continue to build great relationships with employers: they trust that our trainee program instills the skills and ability required for you to make an immediate positive impact once hired. 

Becoming an electrician trainee at I-TAP means you will learn from experienced teachers and get hands-on experience in our lab. Our goal is to prepare you to enter the workforce with all the skills you need to be successful!

And if you’re a contractor in the Sacramento area who’s struggling to find commercial electricians, we can help! Give us a call today, and we’ll help you recruit new talent that can help you complete projects on time and on budget, and ultimately grow your business.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

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