Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the best electrician training programs in the state of Delaware.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by Delaware electricians was $55,390 as of May 2021.
However, salaries vary widely depending on a variety of factors.
The lowest-paid 10 percent of Delaware electricians made less than $33,530 while the highest-paid 10 percent made more than $95,040.
Before being ready to start a career in the field, you have to complete specialized courses in high school or through a post-secondary training program and earn a license.
Apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction are also available and last between four and five years.
It’s up to you to decide what format works best for you.
We invite you to read further to find out more about some of the available options.
1South Jersey Technical Training
About the School
South Jersey Technical Training offers electrical training programs that combine formal education, hands-on training, and experience.
The school provides day electrician classes and night electrician classes.
The day program can be completed in 26 weeks and includes 350 hours in total.
The courses combine traditional bookwork with hands-on workshops taught by a licensed electrician.
The school’s facility combines 5,203 square feet of classroom and hands-on space.
An outdoor space area is also available to teach students how to work in the elements and how to handle situations in a real-world environment.
The night electrician class is 30-week long with classes meeting Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Courses Offered
The following electrician classes are included in the South Jersey Electrical Training catalog:
- Electrical Theory
- Intro to Motor Controls
- Advanced Control Wiring
- Conduit Bending
- OSHA-10
- Intro to Blueprint Reading
- And more
The program also includes practical hands-on experience in the lab.
OSHA training and a Junior Electrician camp are also available at the school.
Contact Information
- Address: 351 Harding Highway, Elmer, NJ 08318
- Phone: (856) 363-8360
- Website: https://sjelectricaltraining.com
2Polytech Adult Education
About the School
Polytech Adult Education offers career and apprenticeship programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries.
Courses Offered
The following Electrical-related programs are available:
- Electrical Trades- a program that prepares students to install electrical systems, wiring, and other electrical components while following blueprints, the National Electrical Code, state and local codes
- Electro-Mechanical Technician- this program covers courses on Computer Fundamentals, Introduction to Mechanics, Mechanics & Equipment, Industrial Electricity, Introduction to PLC, CPR & First Aid
- Electrical Continuing Education- two courses that cover Significant Changes to the 2017 NEC are available
Tuition costs vary depending on the program.
The Electro-Mechanical Technician program costs $3,074 and includes 368 hours.
Polytech Adult Education also provides programs that prepare students for employment in a wide range of other in-demand trades, such as Electronics Systems, Heavy Equipment Maintenance technicians, Home Health Aide, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 823 Walnut Shade Rd. P.O. Box 102 Woodside, DE 19980
- Phone: (302) 697-4545
- Website: https://polytechworks.com
3Delaware Technical Community College
About the School
Delaware Technical Community College offers credit programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries.
The college has campuses in Dover, Georgetown, Stanton, and Wilmington.
Tuition is $152.20 per credit for 1-15 credits for in-state students.
For more than 15 credits, students pay $2,287.50 per semester.
Delaware Technical Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a variety of programs, including:
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Transfer Option- a program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science and teaches students how to design, research, develop, and test electrical and computer systems and components
- Electromechanical- an A.A.S. program that equips students with the hands-on skills needed to maintain and repair robots, production equipment, and motor control circuits
- Electronics Engineering Tcy- a program that teaches students how to work with computer simulations and robotics
- Electronics Engineering Technology Instrumentation Option- a program available at the Stanton campus and prepares students for careers as an instrumentation engineering technician
- Energy Management- a program that teaches students how to improve energy efficiency in commercial and residential settings
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware 19904-1383
- Phone: (302) 857-1000
- Website: https://www.dtcc.edu
4Williamson College of the Trades
About the School
Founded in 1888, Williamson College of the Trades provides students with education in a wide range of areas.
Williamson College of the Trades is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
Williamson College of the Trades offers a Construction Technology program with an emphasis on Electrical.
Students learn through lectures, demonstrations, shop exercises, and campus work projects.
The curriculum covers topics on safety rules, electrical devices and wiring techniques, AC and DC motors, circuit load calculations, fuses, basic electronic theory, solid-state controls, and many other subjects.
Students also learn about blueprint reading, cost estimating, site layout, small business management, accident prevention, and more.
Shop projects are completed throughout the programs to monitor the students’ ability to apply the theory learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios.
After completing the program, students are ready to become apprentice electricians.
A high school diploma or GED is required for admission.
To qualify for admission, applicants must have not reached their 20th birthday before the first day of June of the year in which they wish to start at the college.
Contact Information
- Address: 106 S. New Middletown Rd. Media, PA 19063
- Phone: 610-566-1776
- Website: https://www.williamson.edu
5The Academy of Industrial Arts
About the School
The Academy of Industrial Arts offers training programs for those who want to prepare for careers as electricians in a variety of settings.
Located in Philadelphia, the academy offers small classes and 10-week customized training modules.
The programs are taught by industry veterans with real-life experience in the fields of construction and electricity.
The school provides training in the installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Courses Offered
An Electrician program is available at the Academy of Industrial Arts.
Students who attend this program learn:
- Electrical concepts such as tools, switches, wiring protection devices, equipment, and more
- How to repair or replace residential and commercial wiring, equipment, electrical panels, and fixtures with hand and power tools
- Installing lighting, ceiling fans, appliances, televisions, data, and basic alarm systems
- How to identify electrical problems using testing devices
- Blueprint reading and technical diagrams
Contact Information
- Address: 6328 Paschall Ave, Suite E, Philadelphia, PA, 19142
- Phone: 267-990-4407
- Website: https://www.taia-school.com
6University of Delaware
About the School
The University of Delaware offers a variety of programs that prepare students for employment in a wide range of industries.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Programs offered by the University of Delaware is accredited by the Engineering Accrediting Commission of ABET.
Courses Offered
An Electrical Engineering major is available at the university.
Students who attend this program can take classes such as:
- Introduction to Engineering
- Analytics Geometry and Calculus
- Fundamentals of Physics
- Signals and Systems
- Electronic Circuit Analysis
- Random Signals and Noise
- Ethics and Impacts of Engineering
- And more
ELEG majors are required to take three foundation electives, several approved technical electives, and two semesters of senior design.
The university also offers 4+1 degrees that allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering and a master’s degree after five years of full-time study.
The following 4+1 programs are available:
- Electrical Engineering/ Business Administration
- Electrical Engineering/ Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering/ Electrical + Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering/ Materials Science and Engineering
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 140 Evans Hall, Newark, DE 19716
- Phone: (302) 831-2405
- Website: https://www.ece.udel.edu
7Delaware State University
About the School
Delaware State University provides a variety of education programs.
The university currently offers 46 undergraduate degree options, 21 master’s degree programs, and six doctoral degree programs.
Its main campus is located in Dover, one and a half hours away from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and other major cities.
Courses Offered
Delaware State University catalog includes an Electrical Technician Certificate program with Externship as part of its Adult/Continuing Education division.
Among other skills, this program teaches students how to assemble, install, test, maintain, and repair electrical wiring and equipment.
The curriculum covers transferable skills and knowledge needed for entry-level employment in the field.
This program includes Occupational Safety and Health Administration Course Completion card for a 10-hour Course in the Electrical field.
Students enrolled in this Certificate program take 375 course contact hours.
Tuition is $3,750.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
- Phone: 302.857.6060 (Daytime) | 302.857.6290 (Evening)
- Website: https://www.desu.edu
8Delaware Skills Center
About the School
Delaware Skills Center provides training programs that help students learn new skills and start new careers.
The center is located in the Twin Spans Business Park in New Castle.
Courses Offered
The Delaware Skills Center catalog includes an Electrical Trades pathway that prepares students for entry-level positions in the electrical field.
Students who complete this program are ready to continue with an apprenticeship to become Journeyperson electricians.
The course includes 12 weeks of classroom training supplemented by hands-on shop work.
Upon program completion students can have the following certificates:
- NCCER Core Curriculum
- NCCER Electrical Level 1
- Advanced Placement into Second Year of the Delaware Apprenticeship Program
- First Year Apprenticeship Certification
- 10-Hour OSHA Card
- Delaware State Electrical Apprentice License
To qualify for admission, applicants need to:
- Be a Delaware resident and be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have the ability to pass a math and reading exam
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screening
- A driver’s license, Social Security Card, and transportation are also needed
Tuition is $3,389.
Funding is available for students who qualify.
The background check and drug screening cost $140.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Ships Landing Way, New Castle, DE 19720
- Phone: (302) 654-5392
- Website: https://deskillscenter.org
9New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
About the School
New Castle County Vo-Tech School District offers a variety of educational programs available in part-time and evening schedules.
The programs are offered in academic, apprenticeships, certification, and technical training formats.
Classes are available at different locations throughout the district.
Courses Offered
Apprentice training is provided in a wide range of areas, including Carpentry, Plumbing, Welding, Electric, HVAC, Sheet Metal, Pipe Fitting, Masonry, and more.
The apprenticeships consist of hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
The on-the-job training is provided by the apprentice’s sponsor employer, while New Castle County Vo-Tech Adult Education Division provides the classroom instruction part.
The State of Delaware pays the tuition for Apprentices who have been registered by their employers with the Delaware Department of Labor.
Classes start in the Fall and end in Spring.
Most apprenticeship programs are four years long and each year consists of 150 hours of theory instruction.
Technical education is also available in the following fields: Auto Body, Auto Technology, Welding, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1703 School Ln, Wilmington, DE 19808
- Phone: (302) 683-3652
- Website: https://nccvtadulteducation.com
10IBEW Local 126
About the School
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers- Local Union 126 provides apprenticeship programs that help students prepare for a career as Journeyman Electricians through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
The Northeastern Apprenticeship and Training Program combines 7,000 hours of earn-while-you-learn training.
IBEW Local 126 serves Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Courses Offered
The apprenticeship program covers several skills, including building foundations, erecting poles and towers, building substations, performing underground installations, maintaining existing electrical service, replacing poles, and more.
The NEAT apprenticeship serves the northeast corridor of the United States, with nine training centers available.
To qualify for admission to an apprenticeship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be willing to travel
- Have the ability to climb
- Qualify on an aptitude test
- Obtain and retain a CDL license
Contact Information
- Address: 14402 Sussex Hwy, Bridgeville, DE 19933
- Phone: 302-495-7013
- Website: https://www.ibewlu126.com
Regional Salary in Delaware
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 300 | $56,380 | $27.11 | $77,180 | $36,650 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Delaware is home to many trade schools and community colleges that prepare students for careers as electricians.
If you’re willing to learn through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction, apprenticeships are also available.
On this page, we have compiled information about some of the best educational alternatives in the region.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your budget, schedule, and learning style.
