Electrician
Electrician - AAS
Choose this program to prepare for an exciting career as an electrician. Students become registered "electrician trainees" with the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries and are awarded work experience hours upon completion. Occupational choices are extensive in the field; many graduates work in the construction industry, while others work in manufacturing or maintenance.
In BTC’s Electrician program, you’ll learn how to install, maintain, and repair residential, commercial, industrial and renewable electrical systems. You will also learn how to read blueprints and schematics, bend and install conduits, program VFDs and PLCs, and troubleshoot circuits.
Employment Information
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
73% BTC graduate placement rate1
$58,068 starting annual wage2
$76,119 average annual wage2
$98,904 potential annual wage2
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
New, 1st Year Students will be accepted for the spring quarter of 2024. This is a first-come, first-served registration. Please contact the Registration-Enrollment-Admissions at 360.752.8345 or ProgramInterest@btc.edu if you have questions or concerns.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
Early Program Course Requirements
Graduates can be credited with up to 1472 supervised work experience hours per RCW 19.28.191 and WAC 296-46b-940. In order to receive the approved experience hours students must have an electrical trainee card from L&I. You will be expected to purchase this trainee card on the first day of the program. Please do not purchase this card prior to your starting date!
Physical Requirements
Electricians deal with color coded wires on a daily basis, making it vital for all electricians to be able to see color.
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 108
Quarter 1
AMATH 100 Applied Occupational Math 5 CR ELCN 100 Trade Safety 2 CR ELCN 101 DC Circuits 4 CR ELCN 103 Electrical Drawings & Blueprints 2 CR ELCN 125 Electrical Applied Mechanics 4 CR ELCN 131 DC Circuit Lab 4 CR Quarter 2
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication 5 CR OR PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 CR OR SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology 5 CR ELCN 102 AC Circuits 3 CR ELCN 112 Introduction to National Electrical Code 4 CR ELCN 132 AC Circuit Lab 3 CR ELCN 142 Residential Wiring Projects 6 CR Quarter 3
AENGL 100 Applied English 5 CR ELCN 104 Grounding & Bonding 2 CR ELCN 105 Transformers, Motors & Generators 4 CR ELCN 113 Advanced NEC Calculations 3 CR ELCN 143 Electrical Distribution 3 CR ELCN 151 Commercial Wiring Methods & Materials 5 CR Quarter 4
ELCN 201 Electronics for Electricians 2 CR ELCN 202 Machine Control Fundamentals 5 CR ELCN 251 Commercial & Renewable Energy Projects 5 CR ELCN 261 Industrial Control Wiring Methods & Materials 6 CR ELCN 280 Renewable Electrical Sources 4 CR Quarter 5
ELCN 203 PLCs & VFDs 5 CR ELCN 214 Special Occupancies, Equipment & Conditions 3 CR ELCN 262 Specialty Industrial Wiring Projects 5 CR ELCN 263 Automated Control Projects 6 CR ELCN 281 Electrical Estimating & Design 3 CR
Program Outcomes
After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:
- Ensure safe work practices and installations through compliance with national, state and local regulations and industry standards including the National Electrical Code and WAC/RCW.
- Design, analyze, and diagnose basic electrical systems through the application of electrical theory fundamentals.
- Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant service and branch circuits found in a typical residential setting.
- Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant branch and lighting circuits found in a typical commercial setting.
- Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant branch, signal, and control circuits found in a typical industrial setting.
- Summarize the financial and regulatory scope of the electrical industry including government fees, jobsite overhead, business operating expenses, time management, and cost of materials.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with team members, supervisors, and others in the workplace, using trade terminology, drawings, blueprints, and other documents.
- Demonstrate professional conduct conducive to the work environment including punctuality, safety, reliability and customer service.
- Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment, repair, or updating and to ensure compliance with codes.
Employment Outlook
Employment of electricians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities for skilled electricians are expected to be very good as the growth in demand outpaces the supply of workers trained in this industry. There is expected to be a shortage of skilled workers during the next decade because of the anticipated smaller pool of young workers entering training programs.
About 84% of BTC Electrician students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $62,962, with an earning potential of about $85,805 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Most program graduates work as electricians. In the United States, more than half of all electricians are employed in the construction industry. Others work as maintenance electricians in virtually every industry including electrical equipment distributors, communications companies, electrical utility companies and industrial manufacturing plants.
Potential positions include apprentice electrician, journeyman electrician, electrical contractor, electrical equipment technician, maintenance electrician, television cable technician, utility company technician, telephone technician and electrical equipment salesperson. Nationally, one out of every ten electricians is self-employed.
Faculty & Support
Brad Willbrandt
William Wells
Michael Preuss
Contacts
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email IndustrialTradesNav@btc.edu