Blinn highlights apprenticeship opportunities during Houston-area conference

Blinn partners with local employers to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage electrician careers

December 7, 2022

The Blinn College District showcased its electrical pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs during a National Apprenticeship Week webinar organized by the Houston Area Apprenticeship Council to provide businesses, communities, and educators with a forum to discuss their initiatives and connect with job seekers.

“This event was a great way for us to get the word out about our apprenticeship opportunities and spotlight our partnerships with local employers,” Corporate College Director Mary Quisenberry said. “Electrician is listed as a high-demand occupation in Texas, but many job seekers don’t know how to get started in the profession. Our programs provide those inroads by giving students the training and credentials needed to embark on successful, high-wage careers in the field. Apprenticeship programs also supply our partnership employers with well-trained employees, which positively impacts their productivity.”

During her presentation, Quisenberry highlighted Blinn’s offerings, which include a pre-apprenticeship boot camp and four levels of electrical apprenticeship instruction. She also emphasized the unique partnerships Blinn maintains with companies like Bayer Electric, CC Electric LLC, Dailey Electric, Inc., Dowling Electric Inc., and Leon’s Electric & Plumbing, Inc. Beginning in January 2023, Blinn will partner with Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley to offer a new pre-apprenticeship program.

“Our partnerships serve as an invaluable resource for individuals interested in expanding their careers in the electrical technology field,” said Karla Flanagan, Dean of Technical and Community Education. “Blinn’s apprenticeship program gives our students the tools to succeed in the industry through a combination of in-depth classroom instruction and extensive hands-on experience with our partnering employers.”

Offered at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan, Blinn’s electrical apprenticeship program is based at the RELLIS Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex, a 38,000-square-foot facility featuring the latest equipment and interactive workshop spaces.

Blinn’s electrical apprenticeship program features approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Students who complete all four levels of the apprenticeship program are qualified to become journeyman electricians, licensed to work without direct supervision.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for electricians is $60,040 per year, and employment is expected to grow 7% between 2021 and 2031, generating 50,200 new jobs nationwide.

Blinn’s electrical apprenticeship programs are part of the Division of Technical and Community Education, which offers courses designed in partnership with industry leaders to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce. Options include non-credit classes, certificate programs, industry-recognized credentials, and AAS degrees in Carpentry, Construction Management, Facility Maintenance, HVAC, Power Line Worker, Surveying Technician, Water Purification, and Welding Technology.

To learn more about Blinn’s Electrical Apprenticeship Program, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce.