Electrical Technology

The Electrical Technology program equips students with the skills necessary for working in a rapidly changing electrical and solar technological field. Learn how to design and troubleshoot residential, commercial and solar wiring systems.

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

The Electrical Technology program provides for application of theory using hands-on learning environments. Transfer level mathematics will be employed. Irvine Valley College is a state-approved provider (Approved School Number 125) of Electrician Training under Assembly Bill 1087; this allows students to immediately apply for electrical trainee in California and receive the Electrician-in-Training Card.

Potential Careers include: Apprentice Electrician Trainee, Apprentice Maintenance Technician, Residential Electrician Trainee, Solar PV Technician Trainee, Solar PV Installer Trainee, Solar PV Contractor.

Program Length

2 or 3 semesters.

Transfer Options

For the course ELEC 21 - Introduction to Renewable Energy, IVC has a transfer agreement with all universities in the CSU and UC systems.

Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

Electrician Trainee

COA

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
ELEC 201	Residential Wiring	4
ET 92	Basic Electric Circuits I	4
ELEC 200A	OSHA 10 (Fall Only)	1

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
ELEC 203	Commercial and Industrial Wiring	4
ET 104	Basic Electric Circuits II	4

Energy Solar Photovoltaic Systems Technician

COA

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
ELEC 201	Residential Wiring	4
ELEC 21	Introduction to Renewable Energy (Fall Only)	3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
ELEC 200	OSHA Standards for Construction Safety (Spring Only)	3
ELEC 211	Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems (Spring Only)	4

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
ELEC 212	Advanced Solar Photovoltaics (Fall Only)	3

Explore Careers

Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Median Salary

$75,348

Job Growth

-2%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
43%

Certificate
27%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
10%

View Career

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

New workers start around $46,739. Normal pay is $75,348 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $130,864.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
43%

Certificate
27%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
10%

Core Tasks

Inspect work progress, equipment, or construction sites to verify safety or to ensure that specifications are met.
Read specifications, such as blueprints, to determine construction requirements or to plan procedures.
Supervise, coordinate, or schedule the activities of construction or extractive workers.
Assign work to employees, based on material or worker requirements of specific jobs.
Estimate material or worker requirements to complete jobs.
Coordinate work activities with other construction project activities.
Analyze worker or production problems and recommend solutions, such as improving production methods or implementing motivational plans.
Order or requisition materials or supplies.
Train workers in construction methods, operation of equipment, safety procedures, or company policies.
Confer with managerial or technical personnel, other departments, or contractors to resolve problems or to coordinate activities.
Locate, measure, and mark site locations or placement of structures or equipment, using measuring and marking equipment.
Arrange for repairs of equipment or machinery.
Provide assistance to workers engaged in construction or extraction activities, using hand tools or other equipment.
Record information, such as personnel, production, or operational data on specified forms or reports.
Suggest or initiate personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, or hires.

Median Salary

$75,348

Job Growth

-2%

Electricians

Median Salary

$70,616

Job Growth

+9%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
59%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

View Career

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

New workers start around $37,297. Normal pay is $70,616 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $116,814.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
59%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Core Tasks

Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous.
Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
Direct or train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors.
Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Perform business management duties, such as maintaining records or files, preparing reports, or ordering supplies or equipment.
Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
Construct or fabricate parts, using hand tools, according to specifications.
Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.

Median Salary

$70,616

Job Growth

+9%

Helpers for Electricians

Median Salary

$40,580

Job Growth

-9%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
80%

Certificate
20%

View Career

Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

New workers start around $31,718. Normal pay is $40,580 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $64,825.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
80%

Certificate
20%

Core Tasks

Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.
Clean work area and wash parts.
Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.
Install copper-clad ground rods, using a manual post driver.
Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.
Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.
Erect electrical system components and barricades, and rig scaffolds, hoists, and shoring.
Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.
Dig trenches or holes for installation of conduit or supports.
Raise, lower, or position equipment, tools, and materials, using hoist, hand line, or block and tackle.
Break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment.

Median Salary

$40,580

Job Growth

-9%

Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Median Salary

$84,451

Job Growth

-4%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
57%

Certificate
13%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
3%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
2%

View Career

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

New workers start around $50,651. Normal pay is $84,451 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $127,387.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
57%

Certificate
13%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
3%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Doctoral or More
2%

Core Tasks

Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors.
Monitor tool and part inventories and the condition and maintenance of shops to ensure adequate working conditions.
Requisition materials and supplies, such as tools, equipment, or replacement parts.
Confer with personnel, such as management, engineering, quality control, customer, or union workers' representatives, to coordinate work activities, resolve employee grievances, or identify and review resource needs.
Determine schedules, sequences, and assignments for work activities, based on work priority, quantity of equipment, and skill of personnel.
Examine objects, systems, or facilities and analyze information to determine needed installations, services, or repairs.
Counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job-skill deficiencies.
Investigate accidents or injuries and prepare reports of findings.
Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as hires, promotions, transfers, discharges, or disciplinary measures.
Conduct or arrange for worker training in safety, repair, or maintenance techniques, operational procedures, or equipment use.
Develop, implement, or evaluate maintenance policies and procedures.
Meet with vendors or suppliers to discuss products used in repair work.

Median Salary

$84,451

Job Growth

-4%

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Median Salary

$53,946

Job Growth

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
41%

Certificate
49%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
2%

View Career

Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

New workers start around $31,283. Normal pay is $53,946 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $83,173.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
41%

Certificate
49%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
2%

Core Tasks

Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.
Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation.
Test backup batteries, keypad programming, sirens, or other security features to ensure proper functioning or to diagnose malfunctions.
Drill holes for wiring in wall studs, joists, ceilings, or floors.
Inspect installation sites and study work orders, building plans, and installation manuals to determine materials requirements and installation procedures.
Consult with clients to assess risks and to determine security requirements.
Mount raceways and conduits and fasten wires to wood framing, using staplers.
Adjust sensitivity of units, based on room structures and manufacturers' recommendations, using programming keypads.
Keep informed of new products and developments.
Order replacement parts.

Median Salary

$53,946

Job Growth

Not sure if Electrical Technology is the right fit?

Exploratory Interest Area

Explore Electrical Technology while still working toward your academic goals.

Learn More

Talk with a Counselor

Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.

Contact Counseling

Why choose IVC?

Affordable

Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.

Career Preparation

With Fast Track Career Paths, at IVC, we give you the tools to quickly enter the workforce and start making money.

#1 Transfer Rate

Looking to transfer to a four-year university? With the #1 Transfer Rate in California, IVC is the best place to start!

Questions?

Contact Counseling

Need help now?

Call 949-451-5100

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Find Your Path

Become an IVC Student

Guide to Paying for College

Supporting You

Welcome Lasers

Finish Your Path at IVC

Find Your Path

Become an IVC Student

Guide to Paying for College

Supporting You

Welcome Lasers

Finish Your Path at IVC

Program Length

Transfer Options