Electrician Schools in Vermont: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Vermont Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. 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 Vermont Electrical Licensing Board, a subsidiary of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Fire Safety, is responsible for issuing electrical licenses in the state of Vermont. Apprentice electricians need to register with the Vermont Department of Labor. Most people entering the electrician industry in Vermont learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a community college.

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

• Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, Rutland, Williston, Newport, and other locations

• Central Vermont Career Center in Barre

• Stafford Technical Center in Rutland

Vermont Apprenticeships

• Vermont Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)

  • Electrical Apprentice Program

• Vermont Independent Electrical Contractors Association (VIECA)

• Electrical Business: Many Vermont businesses provide the on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.

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 education, such as Vermont.

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 one of several four-year and advanced Electrical Engineering degrees at universities in Vermont such as:

• University of Vermont

• Vermont Technical College

As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.

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 safely perform electrical work. 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 electrical technology. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, 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

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• 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 Vermont community colleges on average is $6,566 per year for in-state students and $12,130 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. 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 chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Vermont apprenticeships require 8,000 hours of work experience (four years) and 576 hours of classroom instruction. After fulfilling these requirements, candidates can apply to take the journeyman exam. Most apprenticeships require candidates to have a driver’s license, high school diploma, or GED.

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   

The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Vermont’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings, and many of the programs below are available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the 576 hours of required classroom training. After completing classroom training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, candidates can apply for the journeyman license.

Vermont Technical College: Offers a Registered Electrical Apprentice Program, Associate of Electrical Engineering Technology (two-year program), and Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Technology (four-year program).

Central Vermont Career Center: Offers a 300-hour Electrical Technology program that can be applied toward apprenticeship training. Students also receive OSHA certification.

Stafford Technical Center: Offers an Electrical Program to prepare students for apprenticeship training or advanced electrical studies. Students also receive OSHA certification.

University of Vermont: Offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (four-year program), as well as graduate programs including Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.

Steps for Enrollment in Vermont

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. 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 Vermont

To recap, the most common way to qualify for an electrical license in Vermont is to complete classroom education and on-the-job training. For a journeyman electrician license, you need to complete a formal trade school program (576 hours) and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training or 12,000 hours of documented relevant experience, including signed affidavits from previous employers. 

Specialist electricians must complete a one-year training program and accumulate 2,000 hours of full-time work experience. Otherwise, specialist electrician applicants must have 4,000 hours (two years) of documented electrical work experience.

To become eligible to apply for a master electrician license, candidates must serve as a licensed journeyman for at least two years or accumulate 16,000 hours of documented work experience. 

Click here for the Vermont electrician license application.

After licensing, Vermont electricians must complete continuing education to qualify for license renewal. Journeymen, specialists, and master electricians need to renew their licenses every three years and complete at least 15 hours of continuing education. Click here for a list of approved continuing education seminars.

Vermont allows licensure reciprocity for journeyman and master licenses with both Maine and New Hampshire.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Vermont

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 Vermont? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Vermont for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $50,000

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $59,200

• Senior 4-6 years: $65,800

• Supervisor > 7 years: $93,800

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

As we said earlier, most electricians get their training through a formal apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. To meet apprenticeship requirements in Vermont, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company, union, or non-union trade organization with which they’d like to apprentice.

The Vermont Department of Labor maintains a list of available apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbers.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the local 300 chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Vermont electricians. The Vermont Independent Electrical Contractors Association (VIECA), a nonunion trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.

• New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades, Manchester and Hampton, NH

• Maine Electrical Institute, Portland, ME

• The Peterson School, Woburn, MA

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Vermont. The opportunities are all around you.