Skip to main content

Program Overview & Curriculum

A Sound & Communication Installer performs the installation and maintenance of sound and communication systems. This includes wiring, cabling, audio, video, data, security, fire safety systems and more.

Sound & Communication applications are processed through the Sacramento Electrical Training Center and sent to the NorCal JATC for job placement and education. For more information about the program, visit norcal-jatc.com/applicants.

  • The Sound & Communication is a 3-year apprenticeship.
  • The program is a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. The program requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 480  hours in the classroom to complete.
  • The program will focus on Voice/Data Systems, Sound and Pro-Audio Systems, Security Systems and Fire/Life Safety Systems.
  • This is the “Earn while you learn” model of schooling. Apprentices earn money while learning from experienced journeymen on the job site once they’re accepted into the program.
  • You will need to become a dues-paying member of the IBEW Local 340 to be eligible to work.

The recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices is conducted without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older except the applicant must meet or exceed the minimum age requirement of 18. The Sacramento Electrical Training Center takes affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and operates the program as required under applicable law and regulations.

Acceptance into the apprenticeship program is competitive and can, at times, have a lengthy backlog of applicants. Although prior experience in the electrical construction industry may be beneficial, the backlog for scheduling the mandatory Aptitude Testing and Interview can be many months in duration and up to several years.

Curriculum

Classes include, but are not limited to:

1st YEAR

  • Safety

  • Tools

  • Electrical Industry Terms

  • Fundamentals of Telephony

  • Structured Cabling

  • Grounding and Bonding Fundamentals

  • EIA/TIA Standards

  • The National Electrical Code

  • Fiber Optics

  • Instruments

  • DC Electrical Theory

2nd YEAR

  • AC Electrical Theory

  • Circuit Calculation

  • Wiring Methods

  • Master Clock Systems

  • Nurse Call Systems

  • Fire/Life Safety Systems

  • National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

  • Emergency Communication Systems

  • Mass Notification Systems

  • Speech Reinforcement Systems

3rd YEAR

  • Networking

  • Video Surveillance

  • Community Access Television (CATV)

  • Satellite Antenna Television (SATV)

  • Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)

  • Intrusion Systems

  • Access Control Systems

  • Audio Visual Systems

  • California State VDV and Fire/Life Safety Exam Prep

Ready to
Get Started?

Take the First Steps to
Your New Career