Apprenticeship – Year Two

“Residential Wiring” will be the first class you take this year. This is the class where it all starts to “come together”. This semester is based on the wiring of a single family home, but many things you learn are also applicable to a commercial building. In “Residential Wiring” you will learn to differentiate between the types of conduits and conductors. Studying the National Electrical Code (NEC) and how it affects the wiring of residences (single and multi-family homes) is a major part of this semester. There are many mathematical calculations involved, including how many conductors can be legally put in a box or conduit. You finish the semester by calculating what size service (electrical panel amperage) is required for specific houses.

Is fiber optic cable something you’d like to know more about? What’s the difference between CAT 3 and CAT 5E? In “Structured Cabling”, your fourth semester, you will learn about these low-voltage conductors and how installation differs from “regular” conductors. Computer networking and CATV/CCTV systems are all part of our newest semester in the program.

At work, you will be advancing to new tasks. By now, you should be pulling wire in conduits and “trimming out” — installing switches, receptacles and light fixtures.

After 3000 hours of OJT (approximately one and one half years) you should be at 65% of the Journeyman rate, if your work is progressing as expected. In another 1000 hours (at the end of two years), 70%.