Electrician Schools in Nebraska: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Nebraska Electrician Training Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.” 

According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.

The Nebraska State Electrical Division regulates license requirements and issues master electrician licenses, journeyman electrician licenses, and electrical contractor licenses. Electrical apprentices must also register with the state.

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Nebraska:

• Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Elkhorn, and Fremont

• Northeast Community College in Norfolk, O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point

• Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Beatrice, and Milford

• Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Sidney, and Alliance

• Mid-Plains Community College in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala, and Valentine

• Central Community College in Hastings, Columbus, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, and Ord

Electrician Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of work experience and/or education, such as Nebraska.

There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but again most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Nebraska like:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• University of Nebraska Omaha

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician. 

Typically, they include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical systems, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:

• Foundations of Mathematics

• Electrical Theory

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• Programmable Controllers

• Electrical Controls

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting

School Selection Criteria  

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Nebraska community colleges on average is $4,615 per year for in-state students and $5,803 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid in the form of federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program

Program length varies by school and degree. An electrical apprentice must register and work in the trade for four years, consecutively, before qualifying for the journeyman electrician exam. A two-year electrical training course may count for one year of electrical apprentice work-experience credit.

Level of Difficulty

Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

School Comparison: At a Glance

Let’s take a look at electrician training centers and trade schools in Nebraska:

Metropolitan Community College

• Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship, which awards an Associate in Applied Science degree

• Offers an Electrical Mechanical Systems career certificate

• Offers an Electrical Plant Maintenance career certificate 

• Offers an Electrical Technology - Building Electrical certificate of achievement

• Offers an Electrical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree

• Offers an Electrical/Mechanical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree

Northeast Community College 

• Offers an Electrical Construction and Control Associate of Applied Science degree

• Offers an Electromechanical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree

Southeast Community College

• Offers an Electrical & Electromechanical Technology, Electrical Technician certificate

• Offers an Electrical & Electromechanical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree with specializations in Electromechanical Industrial Maintenance Technician, Automation & Robotics, and Electrical Technician

• Offers an Electrical & Electromechanical Technology - Residential Electrical Construction certificate

• Offers an Electrician Construction Apprenticeship in partnership with the Lincoln Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (IBEW)

• Offers an Electronics Systems Technology Associate of Applied Science degree

• Offers an Electronic Systems Technology - AVD/Low Voltage Technician certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree

Western Nebraska Community College

• Offers an Electrical Level I training program

Mid-Plains Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program

Central Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree

• Offers an Electrical Technology - Residential diploma program

• Offers certificates in Commercial Wiring, Electrical Fundamentals, and Electrical Wiring

Steps for Enrollment in Nebraska

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

Electrician Career Requirements in Nebraska

An electrical apprentice must register and work in the trade for four consecutive years. Note: A two-year electrical training course, or electrical experience gained while serving in the military, may count for one year of electrical apprentice work-experience credit.

After those four years, applicants may apply to become a journeyman electrician, which requires a state licensing exam. For a residential journeyman electrician license, applicants need at least three years of experience in the electrical trade. Completion of a two-year post-high school electrical course can count for one year of experience. A residential journeyman electrician license is valid only for residential electrical installations.

To apply for an electrical contractor license, you must be a graduate of a four-year electrical course from an accredited college or university. You also need at least one year of experience as a journeyman electrician, or five years of experience that includes planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical, heat, and power. 

For a detailed explanation of Nebraska’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Nebraska Electrical License. 

Salaries for Electricians in Nebraska

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Nebraska? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median annual salary in Nebraska for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $51,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,600

• Senior 4-6 years: $67,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $71,400

For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

In addition to the trade school apprenticeship programs listed above, the following organizations offer apprenticeships. Interested candidates can apply directly with electrical companies as well.

• Lincoln Electrical JATC

• IBEW Local 22

• Omaha Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Committee

• Greater Nebraska JATC 

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby South Dakota and Wyoming:

• Sinte Gleska University in Mission, South Dakota

• Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Northwest College Wyoming in Powell and Cody, Wyoming

You can find the training you need to excel in an electrical industry career in Nebraska. The opportunities are all around you.