Iḷisaġvik College

Iḷisaġvik College – Barrow, AK

Programs Offered

• Electrical Apprenticeship Program (Residential and Commercial Electrical Systems)

Program Overview

Iḷisaġvik College offers a comprehensive Electrical Apprenticeship Program that prepares students for skilled careers as electricians in Alaska’s growing energy and construction industries. The program blends classroom-based instruction with supervised, hands-on experience in electrical installation, maintenance, and repair. Students learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, circuitry, conduit bending, and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

As Alaska’s only tribal college, Iḷisaġvik emphasizes culturally responsive education while providing students with practical trade skills that can lead directly to employment or apprenticeship advancement in the electrical field.

Hands-On Training

Students gain hands-on experience through lab work and real-world field projects. Training includes wiring residential and commercial systems, motor control, troubleshooting, and safety procedures. The program’s apprenticeship model allows students to apply their classroom learning on active job sites, gaining valuable field hours toward state-recognized licensing requirements.

Certification & Licensing Prep

• Prepares students for placement into state-registered electrical apprenticeship programs.
• Curriculum aligns with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and Alaska Department of Labor apprenticeship standards.
• Graduates earn credit toward journeyman electrician licensing requirements through supervised on-the-job training.

Career Paths & Salary Outlook

• Electrical Apprentice: Assist licensed electricians in installing and maintaining wiring systems. Apprentices in Alaska earn competitive wages and gain field experience toward licensure.
• Journeyman Electrician: Install and maintain electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Electricians in Alaska enjoy some of the highest average wages in the nation.
• Industrial or Maintenance Electrician: Work with large-scale electrical systems in facilities such as energy plants, schools, or government buildings.

Program Length

• Certificate or Apprenticeship Pathway: Approximately 12 months (classroom) plus field training extension

Admission Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Commitment to completing both classroom and hands-on components
• Strong math and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work safely in physical and technical environments

Cost & Financial Aid

Iḷisaġvik College is a public tribal community college offering affordable tuition and financial aid options. Eligible students may apply for federal financial aid, Alaska Native education grants, and workforce development funding. Apprenticeship pathways may include paid on-the-job training opportunities.

Location

Located in Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska, Iḷisaġvik College serves students throughout the North Slope and rural Alaska communities. The college provides a supportive learning environment, modern technical training labs, and close ties with local employers and tribal organizations to promote workforce development across Alaska’s remote regions.

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