Job Corps Of America
Can Help You Become An Electrician


T

he Job Corps is a program administered by the US Department of Labor that offers free career training programs for low-income youth. The program can help you get started on a new career as an electrician.

Job Corps

They can even help you complete your high school education if you didn't receive your diploma. Best of all, there is no cost to you.

There are 125 Job Corp locations around the United States. Once accepted, you will be assigned to a center closest to you. If you live close enough, you will commute to your classes each day but if you live far away, you will live in a dorm similar to a college dorm.

Even if you have to live in the dorm, there is no cost for your training. Your meals are also supplied free of charge and you receive free health care while you are enrolled.

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Job Corps Purpose

The purpose of the Job Corp Of America program is to help young people of low-income status who may not be able to afford to go to college, get the training they need to secure a brighter future.

In return, students are expected to work hard to achieve their goals and refrain from violence and drug use while in the program.

If you don't have a high school diploma when you start, you can work towards that first and take up to two years to complete the entire program.

Job Corps’ Eligibility Criteria:

  • You must be between 16 and 25 years of age
  • A United States Citizen
  • Meet low income criteria
  • Can be a school dropout, a runaway, a foster child, a parent, or homeless 
  • Need additional career technical training, education, counseling, and related assistance to complete regular schoolwork or to secure and maintain employment 
  • A consent from a parent or guardian if he/she is a minor 
  • Have a child care plan if he/she is the parent of a dependent child 
  • Do not exhibit behavioral problems that could inhibit him/her or others from benefiting fully from the program 
  • Does not require any face-to-face court or institutional supervision or court-imposed fines while enrolled in Job Corps 
  • Not use drugs illegally

Note:

Because Job Corps is a voluntary program, students choose to enroll in the program and may exit at any time.

Before completing an Electrical training program, You should have the basic math and reading skills necessary to perform the job. Complete the core curriculum and pass all written and performance tests.

Average Length of Training:

The electrician training program at Job Corp is self-paced and takes from eight months to one year to complete. To be eligible for this program, you should be a fairly good student with acceptable math and reading comprehension skills.

Topics you will cover in the Job Corps electrician training course include:

  • Introduction to electrical theory
  • Electrical safety
  • Conduit and hand bending
  • Advanced electrical theory
  • Fasteners and anchors
  • Raceways, boxes, and fittings
  • Conductors
  • Residential wiring
  • Grounding
  • Electrical test equipment
  • Electrical lighting
  • Alternating current
  • Motors: theory & applications
  • Cable tray   
  • Advanced conduit bending
  • Conductor installations
  • Circuit breakers and fuses
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Contractors and relays
  • Low-voltage circuits
  • Point-of-sale/Counter skills
  • Installation of electrical services
  • Introduction to electrical blueprints
  • Commercial and industrial wiring
  • Conductor terminations and splices
  • Introduction to National Electrical CodeR
  • Introduction to fiber optics (optional)
  • Introduction to Network Cable Installer (optional)

The Job Corps Of America also prepares you for a career in Green Technology by introducing you to environmental awareness, green building, recycling, alternative materials, equipment sustainability, power efficiency, green power, waste management, and light pollution.

What Happens When You Complete The Electrician Program?

Students who complete a Job Corps training program are eligible to receive the following credentials:

  • Construction Safety & Health OSHA 10-Hour Training
  • NCCER Core Curriculum Completion (for center-operated programs)
  • NCCER Level 1 Electrical Completion (for center-operated programs)
  • NCCER Green Certificate of Completion (for center-operated programs)

In addition to free training, meals, healthcare, and housing, you will also receive a living allowance during your training so you will earn a steady paycheck while you learn a new career.

Once you complete the program, Job Corps of America will work with you up to 18 months until you find a suitable place of employment where you can practice your new skills and embark on a well paying career.

As an electrician, you can expect to perform a variety of exciting job duties. You will work in residential, commercial, or industrial settings and install new or repair existing power systems.

The Job Corps Of America will fully train you to become a valuable asset to potential employers so you will have an easier time landing a good job. Since electricians can perform a variety of jobs, there is usually plenty of work even when new construction is down and other trades are slow.

Job Corps Estimated Salaries for Electricians:

Being an electrician means you can enjoy job security and that means a brighter future for you and your family. The Job Corps estimates salaries for electricians to be around $37,000 to $64,000 per year so you can expect to enjoy good wages and benefits throughout your career.

Other related electrician careers:

Facilities Maintenance  estimated salary of $26,000 to $46,000/year

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) - estimated salary of $35,000 to $52,000

The goal of Job Corps Of America is to help young people get a good start in life so they can live fuller, more productive and happier lives. They do this by offering free training in exciting and secure careers such as that of an electrician.

Again, the program is available ONLY to those who qualify. You must be between 16 and 25 years of age, a US citizen, and fall within the income guidelines. Most of all, to be a good match with the Job Corps electrician program, you must have a burning desire to make a success of your life.

How To Apply

If you want to find out more about the program, call (800) 733-JOBS or (800) 733-5627.

An operator will provide you with general information about the program. You can find the nearest location in your area by clicking on the link Job Corps location.

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