Studying to Become an Electrician in Asheville, NC
Are you keen to pursue a career in the electrical industry in North Carolina? There are numerous routes to becoming an electrician, but one good way is through a community college program. Here we break down the courses offered by two colleges in the state. We find out more about their similarities and differences, to help you to work out which could be the best for you.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
A-B Tech Community College is dedicated to delivering quality education. One of the courses it offers is the Electrical Wiring Certificate, a 13 credit hour program that takes place across two semesters. Two courses are covered each semester. It prepares students for passing state and local licenses through laboratory and classroom studies.
The four subjects covered by the program are: Introduction To Electricity, Residential Wiring, Industrial Wiring, and the National Electrical Code. The course costs $76.00 an hour for residents of North Carolina, and $268.00 for non-residents. This means that the course will cost from $988 to $3484.
Haywood Community College
Founded in 1965, Haywood Community College prides itself on supporting the goals of its students by providing affordable programs and small-sized classes. Its Electrical Systems Technology program offers two pathways: a diploma which is a more comprehensive course and which requires 39 credit hours, or a certificate, which requires 15 credit hours. The diploma course takes place across three semesters, the first beginning in the fall. The certificate program takes place during just one fall semester.
The certificate pathway offers a similar spread of courses to those offered at A-B Tech Community College, covering Residential Wiring and National Electrical Code. However, it differs by adding a specific NEC Calculations program, and courses on Diagrams and Schematics, and Circuit Analysis. Both colleges cover DC/AC principles.
The diploma pathway covers the same initial courses as the certificate but then expands into subjects such as Commercial Wiring, Electrical Estimating, Industrial Controls, and Mathematics.
For the 15-hour certificate program, the course costs $76.00 an hour for residents and $268.00 for non-residents. For the diploma, prices are $1,289.75 per semester for full-time in-state students and $4,361.75 per semester for full-time out-of-state students.
The Breakdown
Haywood Community College’s 15-hour certificate, and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College certificate program cover a lot of the same material, including Residential Wiring, DC/AC wiring, and the National Electrical Code. They also cost the same per hour, and take nearly the same amount of time to complete.
Haywood’s 39-hour course is predictably more comprehensive, as well as more expensive. And finally, both institutions offer opportunities to apply for financial aid and sponsorship.
Conclusion
Just half an hour’s drive away from each other, these two community colleges offer comprehensive courses that will help you to achieve your goal of pursuing a career in the electrical industry. Whether you are looking for a more extensive program or a shorter but impactful course, these colleges will be able to provide the training that you need.
Related:
How to Become an Electrician in North Carolina
What are the Best Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Raleigh, NC?