MARSHALL, Texas (KSLA) – Enrollment in a new electrical construction program at Texas State Technical College is skyrocketing, with instructors pointing to better pay and job security in the age of AI.
The one-year program teaches students to wire houses. Normally, graduates would have to wait two years before taking their journeyman wireman’s test — but not anymore.
“In the end of that one year, the students would be able to take their journeyman wire test,” said Darrell Godfrey, electrical construction instructor at Texas State Technical College. “Normally they would have to wait two years to be able to do that, but we’ve made a deal with TDLR — we are following their guidelines — so we’re able to let them go ahead and test.”
Godfrey has taught electrical construction at TSTC for two years and has worked in the trade for more than 20 years. He says he’s noticing a trend of more people turning to trade jobs right now.
“I think there’s just a great demand for the trades right now,” Godfrey said.
Godfrey points to two reasons behind that demand: pay, and AI.
“AI cannot replace an electrician, a plumber, or a heat and air guy,” Godfrey said. “The older guys are retiring out of the field, and we need more and more young guys.”
Dillon Olson, a student studying advanced manufacturing, says that same job security is part of why he got into the field.
“You get more hands-on experience, and it’s a lot more absorb, instead of just reading something online and expecting to retain it,” Olson said.
The electrical construction program is full for now. The school hopes to offer it again in the spring semester.
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