I-TAP

Start Your New Career as an Electrician

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I-TAP Is Now a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization!

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I-TAP Is Now a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization!

December 16, 2020

At I-TAP, our mission is to give people in the Sacramento community the educational tools they need to get jobs as commercial electricians, enriching and improving both their own lives, and the lives of their families. As part of our ongoing goal to support all current and future students, I-TAP has become a nonprofit organization. 

What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization?

Nonprofit status was designed for organizations which operate strictly for the good of the community, and do not aim to generate a profit for owners or shareholders. A 501(c)(3) organization is defined by the IRS as a type of organization that provides an educational, scientific, literary, religious, or other similar service to the public. We think I-TAP fits this mold perfectly.

i-tap apprenticeship

How does our nonprofit status affect current and future students?

Though we are now an established nonprofit, our goal is the same: teach students the knowledge required to become electricians. 

We believe that the quality of your education is not based on the private or nonprofit status of a school—the quality of your education is based on the quality of the teachers, and the people who help run a school.

I-TAP’s staff is dedicated to providing the best possible electrical training education. To that end, we design and print all of our curriculum materials in-house, combining the wealth of knowledge, practical expertise, and years of experience of our electrical teachers to guide the curriculum. 

We also consider that the cost of getting an education stops many people from pursuing their dreams. That is a key reason why we are doing everything we can—including becoming a nonprofit—to always be an accessible option for everyone. At I-TAP, the total cost of an education is approximately $16,500. That is about half of the $29,470 you would have to pay to get a four-year degree at Sacramento State, and less than one-third of the $57,980 you would pay in four years at UC Davis. Our staff are there to help you understand how to apply for financial aid. And in the case of active duty and retired military service members, we can assist you in applying for the GI Bill, allowing you to get most or all of your electrical education paid for. 

We are now more committed than ever to getting each student the electrical education they need to have a successful career.

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 Long Does it Take to Complete Electrician Trade School?

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How Long Does it Take to Complete Electrician Trade School?

December 11, 2020

Turning to a career in the trades is a proven way to make a living. But if you want to become an electrician, it doesn’t happen overnight. You must first complete the required schooling and training requirements before you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to step onto a jobsite. (You can read more about how to become an electrician in California in our blog.) 

Electrician trade school is designed to prepare you for the actual work you’ll do in the field. But you might be wondering: how long does it take to complete? Is it 4 years? A couple months? Somewhere in between?

In California, you’re required to complete at least 720 hours of electrician training—how long it takes to complete depends on the trade school you attend and the course you take. 

Trade schools structure their trainee courses in different ways, though all are held to the same 720-hour minimum requirement. At I-TAP, we offer two courses: a 26-week course and a 5-year course. 

Our 26-week course includes 900 hours of coursework and training, more than required by the state. About 35% of the time is spent in our lab, where students work hands-on with instructors, applying what they learned in class. 

Students learn about electrical theory, national fire code, lighting and motor control, safety, and more. Here is a breakdown of how many hours the course devotes to each subject:

Electrician Trainee Course Subjects

After completing the course, students can take the certification exam required by the state of California.

Our 5-year course provides the same required hours and same schooling—but it comes in a different package. The course is designed to allow students to work as apprentices on the jobsite under the supervision of a C-10 licensed electrical contractor. Note that we do not offer employment opportunities. The 5-year course enables those entering the trade to meet requirements that they be enrolled in an electrical education course while working.

For two weeks per semester, students stop working, instead attending class full-time to receive training and hands-on lab experience. After 5 years, students complete the required hours, and can take the state certification exam. 

When students enroll in the 5-year course, they are assigned to a track. You can find the 2020 Class Calendar here. Notice that each track (1.1, 1.2, 2.2, and so on) meets for about two weeks at a time, one to three times per year. 

Every trade school has different options with regard to course scheduling and length. Some trade schools offer only one electrical trainee course, leaving you with fewer options and less flexibility.

The only difference between the 26-week course and the 5-year course is the amount of time they take to complete. It’s up to students to decide which they want to enroll in.

We’re often approached by prospective students who want to become electricians, but don’t know if the time commitment is worth it. Some aren’t in a position to drop work and go to school full time for 26 weeks. Other students just can’t imagine doing a 5-year trainee program and want to get all their schooling done upfront. 

At I-TAP, students can enroll in the course that best fits their needs. If you are considering becoming an electrician, you can always talk to one of our admittance counselors if you’re unsure which course is right for you. Give us a call and we can discuss enrollment options!

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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Why the Popularity of Solar Energy Is Great for Licensed Electricians

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Why the Popularity of Solar Energy Is Great for Licensed Electricians

THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IS BOOMING. AS RENEWABLES ARE BECOMING LESS EXPENSIVE AND MORE POPULAR, THERE IS A GROWING NEED FOR SOLAR INSTALLERS, INCLUDING LICENSED ELECTRICIANS.

November 18, 2020

If you’ve glanced at the news any time in the last couple years, chances are you’ve seen a newspaper article or two discussing how California residents are getting hit with massive energy bills:

You might be asking, “What do rising energy rates have to do with working as an electrician?”

Well, as utility-sourced energy rates climb, renewable energy costs—specifically residential and commercial solar—are trending down. And that’s a good thing for everyone! More and more consumers are purchasing solar as a way to eliminate or reduce their rising energy bills. 

Businesses in particular have a major incentive to go solar: it’s a way to keep costs low and profits high. But solar buyers can’t just buy a solar power system off the shelf and plug it in. They need commercial electricians to install these systems. 

As demand for solar soars, demand for commercial electricians should soar as well.  

Businesses are investing in solar at a record pace, driving up demand for solar installers. 

Commercial solar system installations are steadily increasing. In 2013, commercial solar installations totalled 3,300 megawatts (MW). Now, just seven years later, commercial solar installations are expected to top 15,000 total MW—a five-fold increase in less than a decade, with much of this growth being fueled by a 70% decrease in cost over the last decade. 

Unsurprisingly, the number of people that work in the solar industry is also increasing year over year. As of 2019, more than 250,000 people worked in solar in the United States. Go back just one decade and fewer than half of that number were employed in the solar industry. As of 2020, in California alone, there are 80,000 people employed in solar, by far the most of any state. 

Okay, the numbers are great, but who can actually install commercial solar systems?

If you live in California, and you are thinking about becoming an electrician, then you might already know that the only way to do so is by becoming a licensed electrician, which requires fulfilling training required by the state. 

Here at I-TAP, you can begin your journey to becoming a licensed journeyperson electrician by taking our 26-week electrical trainee program. The course is designed to give you the knowledge and practical experience you need to become a certified electrician. 

Once you complete the course, you will earn the California Electrical Trainee Card and be eligible to take the state certification test. After you complete 8,000 hours of on the job work, you’ll be licensed as a journeyperson electrician, and can install and wire solar systems while working under a contractor with a C-10 license. This includes the installation of battery storage systems, which are often added to systems to store the power that panels generate. 

Solar is a booming industry. As a licensed electrician, you may be able to benefit from this boom, especially here in the Golden State. If you want to become an electrician, your first step is enrolling in the electrical trainee or electrician apprenticeship program at I-TAP! Contact us today if you have any questions. 

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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Is Working as an Electrician Hard on the Body?

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Is Working as an Electrician Hard on the Body?

BECOMING A TRADESPERSON MEANS THAT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK WILL BE PHYSICAL. BUT SOME TRADES ARE MORE INTENSIVE THAN OTHERS. AS AN ELECTRICIAN, YOU WON'T ENDURE NEARLY THE SAME PHYSCIAL DEMAND COMPARED TO OTHER TRADE JOBS!

November 3, 2020

If you have been considering a career as an electrician, you may have wondered what kind of physical toll it might take on your body. As with plumbers, ironworkers, and bricklayers (just to name a few!), electricians are tradespeople who are on their feet for much of the workday. 

For some people, it can be daunting to take on a physical job, even at the very real prospect of a steady income and growing job opportunities that the electrical field—and many other trade careers—have to offer. 

As an electrician, you won’t be subjected to nearly the same physical toll as people in other trades. 

All trades require some amount of bending, crouching, lifting, pulling, and climbing. How much of a strain your day-to-day work is really comes down to your job duties. 

We have discussed what an electrician does to give you an idea of what the work entails. Here is a summary of what electricians are responsible for:

  • Lifting sections of conduit
  • Pulling cable
  • Installing electrical infrastructure
  • Replacing wires and other electrical infrastructure
  • Reading blueprints

In order to do the above, electricians are required to stand, bend, or kneel for prolonged periods based on the task at hand. In general, there is some variability as to what you can expect when you show up for work. Some days are more strenuous than others. 

When comparing this type of work with, for example, a general construction tradesperson, it becomes clear that electricians are subject to much less physical stress.

Those working in construction often work in confined spaces, do repetitive tasks, work around and with hazardous material, operate multi-ton machinery, and can even experience excess vibration to the hands and arms working with specialized tools. While working in general construction is a great way to pick up a variety of skills, long-term work in this type of field is really hard on the body, especially compared to work as an electrician. 

In many ways, a career in the electrical field is also more preferable than an office job (when it comes to your body, at least), as sitting for long periods can lead to a variety of health problems. 

Working as an electrician means there is a risk of electric shock, but proper training and caution can help prevent this.

An electric shock is a serious injury that electricians are faced with, given they work with wires on a daily basis . Complications of an electric shock include burns, dizziness, muscle pain, loss of consciousness, and in serious cases, it can even lead to death. However, do note that most of the work electricians do are with wires that are not hot. 

However, taking proper safety precautions can protect against these kinds of injuries.  In fact, jobsite safety is a key part of the required education for becoming an electrician.

In California, you are required to take at least 720 hours worth of training (or complete 8,000 hours of on the job training) before you can even take the state certification exam and become a licensed electrician. Electrical training courses take a very in-depth approach to on-the-job safety, making it clear how best to avoid shocks and other job hazards. Safety is a major part of the electrical trainee curriculum, ensuring all electricians know how to work safely to protect themselves and others around them.

While working with wires and electrical components does present a shock risk, the chances of injury are minimized with training and experience. 

People often switch their career from a more labor intensive trade to become an electrician.

At I-TAP, we speak from experience in saying that a growing number of individuals have decided to pursue an electrical career after having worked another trade. One of the big reasons people decide to switch their trade career to electrician is because it is considered one of the less physically demanding jobs. Relative to more labor intensive jobs, you can work into retirement age as an electrician without slowing down due to the physical requirements of the job.

And if those in more physically demanding trades decide not to switch jobs to become an electrician or work in a related field, many look to move into managerial positions in which they oversee a crew while working mostly in the office. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one of the best ways to become a construction manager is to first have experience working in the field—people that work in trades which take a toll on the body don’t work very long before looking for something a bit less demanding.

Electricians are not subjected to the harsh demands that some trades jobs require. While some people are very capable of doing these demanding jobs, after a few years it can be difficult to maintain the same level of productivity. This really isn’t the case for electricians who can work comfortably for decades without the work taking much of a physical toll on the body.

Do you want to become an electrician? Go to I-TAP! Enroll in our 26 week training course and learn everything you need to know to become a certified electrician and work a long, fulfilling career. Contact us to find out more information!

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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Job Outlook: Electrician Careers Predicted to Grow by 8% Over Next Decade

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Job Outlook: Electrician Careers Predicted to Grow by 8% Over Next Decade

ELECTRICAN CAREERS ARE ON A STEADY RISE ACORSS THE COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO RECENT JOB OUTLOOKS. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN ELECTRICAL CAREER? HERE IS HOW YOU CAN START YOUR JOURNEY.

September 21, 2020

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2019 Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs in the electrical field are projected to grow 8% over the next ten years. The average projected growth rate for all occupations is just 4%—jobs in the electrical industry are far outpacing the national average growth rate. 

This faster-than-average growth trend holds true for other trade-related occupations. The construction laborer field, which includes a wide variety of specialized jobs such as equipment operator, carpenter, plumber, and more, is projected to rise 5% over the next decade. 

If you’re interested in a career in the electrical field, you should be encouraged by the fast growth. It suggests that the industry is in good shape and that jobs are available.

How do you become an electrician?

To work in the state of California as an electrician, you must become an electrical apprentice or electrical trainee with a federally or state-approved program.

26-Week Electrical Trainee: To become an electrical trainee, you must enroll in and graduate from a state-approved electrical training program. The California Department of Industrial Relations maintains an up-to-date list with approved vocational schools.

Here at I-TAP, you can enroll in our 26-Week Electrical Trainee Program. You’ll split time in the classroom and working hands-on in our lab, where experienced electricians will help you apply everything you learn. 

Once you complete the course, you can take the state certification exam. If you pass, you will be eligible for hire as an entry-level electrician, and a journeyperson electrician once you have accrued the required amount of work experience. However, even if you do not pass the test, you will still be registered as an electrician trainee and you will be eligible to get a job.

5-Year Commercial Electrician Training Program: At I-TAP, you can enroll in our 5-Year Commercial Electrician Training Program. During the 5-year program, you will spend the vast majority of your time in the field, working under the supervision of journeymen electricians, doing basic work. But for a couple weeks per year, you’ll come back to the classroom to learn electrical theory and work hands-on in our lab. 

This is a great option for those who want to work and take classes. Just as with the 26-week program, once you finish the course, you take the state certification exam. 

How much do electricians make?

It’s impossible to know exactly what you’ll make, but state and national averages can give you an idea. 

As of 2019, the annual mean salary for electricians in the United States was $59,680. As an entry-level apprentice just out of trade school, expect to make anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000 per year. At the journeyman level, annual salary increases, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000, depending on the specifics of your employer and your job duties. Wages plus benefits in Sacramento County works out to $73.67. 

On a state-by-state basis, California ranks 8th in the country for annual average salary, at $70,460.

What about COVID-19—how is it affecting the job market?

According to experts, the economy is in flux. As of September 2020, the U.S. unemployment rate is 8.4%, a rate that has decreased month over month since April. The stock market has bounced around, seeing historic highs and significant slides, leaving investors wary. It remains a question how the economy will bounce back. In the early days of the pandemic, it was thought that a rebound would take on the shape of a ‘V’, where a drastic drop in the economy would be followed by a steady rise. So far, though, sharp rises have been followed by dips. Economic recovery has not taken on that ‘V’ shape. 

Unemployment is down compared to April, when it rocketed to near 15%. What affect, if any, is this having on construction-related careers?

As of August 2020, the unemployment rate in the construction sector was 7.6%. For reference, this is lower than the leisure and hospitality industry, which is faced with a 21% unemployment rate, the highest rate of any sector. The construction sector’s unemployment rate is also lower than the mining sector (12.4%) and the transportation sector (11.3%), to give you an idea of where the rate stands relative to other fields.   

The 7.6% unemployment rate for the construction sector represents a 4% increase compared to August 2019, when the unemployment rate sat at 3.6%. While the one year change is discouraging, remember that COVID-19 became reality in March 2020. In the past three months, the construction sector experienced a 2.9% unemployment rate decrease versus an overall unemployment rate decrease of 0.2%. All types of employment were affected by COVID, but the electrical field has been less affected than many, and is already showing some signs of recovery. 

But, even experts are having difficulty predicting which way the economy is headed. The long-term prognosis for the electrical industry is going to depend heavily on how the rest of the economy recovers. The vast majority of electrical work is due to new construction. If public demand for new homes and buildings grows, jobs will follow.

There are no easy answers as to the right choice to make given the circumstance. But the electrical field has thus far shown more resiliency than other economic sectors. Starting your electrical career today may well prove to be a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for growth.

Interested in starting your electrical career at I-TAP? We have dedicated administrators, knowledgeable teachers, and an electrical lab where you can get real experience. Contact us today to learn more!

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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Learn As You Earn: The Benefits of a 5-Year Commercial Electrician Training Program

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Learn As You Earn: The Benefits of a 5-Year Commercial Electrician Training Program

IT CAN OFTEN BE DIFFICULT TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORK. AT I-TAP, WE OFFER A 5-YEAR TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO WORK AND LEARN!

September 16, 2020

Going back to school after you’ve already entered the workforce might at first seem like a no-win situation. Leaving work for school is a risky proposition for many people.

But is it actually so risky? Not when you’re pursuing an education that directly relates to the career you’ve already chosen!

The construction trades offer great opportunities for career advancement. But while on-the-job experience is key to your success in the field, moving up from entry-level positions to journeyman and management roles won’t happen if you don’t have the necessary education. 

Becoming an electrician doesn’t require a degree, but it does require a formal education. If you want to advance in your career, you have two options: attend school full-time and get your education done upfront, or work as an apprentice/trainee and spread your classroom education over the course of 4 or 5 years.

At Independent Training & Apprenticeship Program (I-TAP), you can work full-time while going to school. Our 5-Year Commercial Electrician Training Program is a flexible training program that gives you the chance to work and learn. You will work as an electrician trainee, spending the majority of your time on the jobsite, while taking off a few weeks per year for classes.

How does the 5-year commercial training program work?

As previously discussed, enrolling in our 5-year program means that you are classified as an electrician trainee. This is the entry-level electrician job, and you will work under the supervision of journeyman electricians. 

The majority of the 5-year program is spent in the field. Electrician trainees start out doing very basic work. The job is entry level for a reason: you aren’t expected to have much expertise. You’ll start out digging holes, running electrical wire, and assisting your on-site supervisors. 

For two weeks per semester, students leave the field and move into the classroom—with classes being held during the day for five days each week—where you study theory and code. Just as understanding how to terminate  wire and use specialized equipment is important, electrical theory and code is essential to the trade. Classroom learning will give you a better understanding of the work you do in the field. During this time, you will also utilize I-TAP’s lab, where you get the chance to work hands-on and apply what you’ve learned in class. 

Classroom work is designed to be exhaustive, but not exhausting. The course covers all you need to know to become a certified electrician. Classes are held during the day, when you don’t have field work, so that you aren’t running around from work to class. This allows for students to work overtime, as opposed to the night class routine. Its also easier on families because they aren’t working 8 hours then going to school 2 nights a week for 3-4 hrs each night year aroudn

Our 5-year program is great for those that want to work and attend school. You will get practical experience in the field and grow your knowledge in the classroom, while earning a paycheck. 

How much does an electrician trainee make?

We previously covered how much an electrician apprentice is likely to earn. Suffice to say, more experience results in higher pay. Because it is an entry-level position, trainees can expect to earn right around minimum wage at first, but as much as $18 to $24 per hour after a couple years. 

In addition to our 5-year program, we also offer a 26-week electrician trainee program. 

The 26-week electrician trainee program is an all-in-one program that gets your education out of the way up front, qualifying you to take the certification exam, and enter the workforce once you pass. Trainee programs cost more upfront, but get you certified sooner. 

Be sure to consider your situation when deciding which program is right for you. The great thing about the 5-year program is that you can get field experience and earn money while working towards your certification. But you can complete the course in as little as 26 weeks, which is a popular choice for many people. 

If you have questions about I-TAP’s electrician trainee programs, or if you are interested in attending I-TAP, contact us today! We’ll be happy to answer all your questions so that you can make the most informed decision.

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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