Our Hands-On Electrical Lab
At I-TAP, we offer twice the number of lab sessions per semester compared to other local electrical training programs. This is made possible by our dedicated, state-of-the-art lab space exclusively for electrical students. In addition to our labs, we provide valuable opportunities for hands-on experience in real-world, outdoor environments, enhancing the practical knowledge that drives career success.
Explore this page to discover how our hands-on approach helps students build skills that advance their careers, or click the button below to learn more about how we can help you achieve your professional goals.
Hands-On Training to Equip You with the Real-World Skills for Success as a Commercial Electrician
Becoming a licensed electrician requires considerable training. In California, apprentice and trainee electricians must complete a minimum of 750 hours of vocational instruction. While the majority of these hours are spent in the classroom, focusing on electrical theory, safety protocols, and other essential topics, hands-on training plays an equally critical role. Practical, real-world experience equips students with the skills necessary to succeed in the field and excel as professional electricians.
Why is I-TAP’s electrical lab one of the best labs of any electrical school’s?
We’ve spent 20 years creating the perfect indoor and outdoor spaces for our electrical students to master the basic jobsite skills they need.
Nearly every electrical school features some form of electrical lab, providing students and apprentices with hands-on experience in a controlled setting. These labs are designed to align with your coursework, with instructors available to guide and supervise you throughout your practice.
At I-TAP, we take hands-on learning to the next level. Our state-of-the-art electrical lab spans 3,000 square feet, offering twice the lab space of most other schools. This expansive environment allows us to host more labs and give our students the comprehensive, real-world experience they need to excel.
OUR LABS INCLUDE:
A/B, 1 POLE, 3-WAY AND 4-WAY SWITCHING
BEGINNING AND ADVANCED PIPE BENDING
DRAWING & DESIGN
FIRE ALARM
GENERATORS
INSTRUMENTATION
INTRO TO PLCS
LIGHTING CONTROL
LOW VOLTAGE CABLE: TELEPHONE/DATA
MOTOR CONTROL STOP/ START/ MAG STARTER
MOTOR CONTROL: GRAIN ELEVATOR
MOTORS ID: HOOKUP WINDING COMPONENTS
METERS/TEST EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PROGRAM
TITLE 24: MOTION SENSORS
PLAN READING
POWER TOOLS/HAND TOOLS
TRANSFORMERS
LOW VOLTAGE CABLE: TELEPHONE/DATA
Work Under The Guidance of Experts
I-TAP is proud to have some of the most accomplished instructors in Northern California. With decades of experience as commercial electricians, many of our instructors have chosen to give back to the industry they love by training the next generation of professionals. When you work in our lab, you’re learning from seasoned industry veterans who bring real-world knowledge and a passion for teaching.
It feels like a real job site because it is one!
For the last 5 weeks of instruction, students spend 100% of their time working on a tenant improvement project. That means that you get to learn how to work on a real job site. From drawing and designing plans, to running wire, to installing lightning controls and motions sensors, to fire alarm installation.
What better way to learn your trade than by working through the full process of a real project from start to finish?
Learn in Actual on (and Under) the Ground Environments
When the pandemic hit in 2020, we faced a unique challenge: how to maintain our high standards of hands-on learning while navigating new indoor restrictions.
To adapt, we took our labs outdoors, creating opportunities for experiences we hadn’t offered before, such as underground wiring installations. This shift not only allowed us to continue delivering quality education but also provided students with valuable real-world skills.
Even after returning to our traditional classrooms, we’ve kept these outdoor labs as a core part of our program. This approach ensures our students gain unparalleled, practical experience that sets them apart from graduates of other electrical schools.
I-TAP’s electrical labs offer hands-on learning opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
At I-TAP, we prioritize hands-on learning, giving students opportunities to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. Our lab facility is designed to closely replicate the work environments trainees will encounter in the field, allowing students to spend 25% to 35% of each semester immersed in hands-on lab work.
I-TAP offers twice the lab time of most other electrical training programs, with students averaging 12 to 15 hours per week of practical, lab-based learning. In the final 5 weeks of instruction, students focus entirely on a hands-on tenant improvement project, refining their skills and gaining valuable experience.
We also ensure that there’s enough lab equipment for each student, so no more than two students will ever need to collaborate on a single project. This approach allows you to spend more time actively working and less time observing, maximizing your learning experience.
Apply now to become a student at I-TAP.
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.
