Darren Dangler is a recent high school graduate, interested in becoming a building engineer. He enrolled in classes at three East Bay community colleges searching for the one that would be the best fit for him.
“Even though DVC was an hour away from my home, I found DVC’s electrical/electronics technology program was noticeably better. I felt I would be more successful there, so now I only attend DVC,” said Dangler.
DVC is state-certified to teach courses for electricians. When students graduate, they can get an electrician trainee card enabling them to accrue hours to prepare to sit for their licensing exam. Students interested in careers in electronics technology can pursue roles as a maintenance technician, quality assurance (QA) tester, circuit board assembler, and more.
“I love being able to put the theory we cover into real-world applications, whether it be troubleshooting, building circuits or just taking some basic measurements. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I can’t believe I have acquired so much knowledge in this field in less than two semesters,” said Dangler.
Employer Partnerships Pave the Path from School to Work
“The electrical/electronics technology program is a great choice for those who are focused on completing a certificate or possibly an associate in science degree, and going right into the workforce. Some students do transfer for their bachelor’s degree, but most get a job right away,” said Manuel Covarrubias, program lead for the electrical/electronics technology program at DVC.
Local employers often reach out to Covarrubias to hire completing students, making the program an ideal opportunity for building or advancing in a career.
“Siemens, Facebook, Mr. Sparky Electric, and lots of electricians' shops have hired our students – even the FBI came through! And of course, with the partnership we have with Tesla, many of our students begin their career there,” said Covarrubias.
The Tesla START Program is an intensive 14-week training program that provides students with the skills necessary for a career at Tesla. The program is presented in a boot camp format on-site at DVC, with students attending classes Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
“They take electronics, electricity, and mechanical classes. Due to the style of the training, this program is geared for people who might have some work experience already but are looking to upskill or reskill for a new career,” said Covarrubias.
Dangler enrolled in two Tesla boot camp classes. He felt the courses were important for his future plans, and enjoyed the intensity and convenience of the schedule.
“I’ve learned a ton and have been able to network with Tesla employees as well,” said Dangler.
The Tesla Manufacturing Development Program (MDP) offers students the opportunity to earn a certificate of achievement in industrial automation and robotics from DVC, with a pathway towards employment at Tesla.
“The MDP program is geared more towards recent high school graduates. The content is taught in regular semester-length classes, so it’s a bit easier for younger students to follow. Those who complete the program can become product associates at Tesla. This is a great opportunity for students who are fresh out of high school. They can come to DVC, get their certificate, and come out with a career,” said Covarrubias.
Dangler plans to complete his certificate of achievement, and then get a job in his field. Once employed, he would like to continue taking classes part-time to earn his associate in science degree, and possibly transfer to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
“After trying classes at other local colleges as well as DVC, I can say that DVC is the best one in the area. The program covers all aspects of the industry. You don’t need any background in electricity or electronics to take a class. The instructors teach you everything you need to be successful,” said Dangler.
For more information, visit the DVC electrical/electronics technology program.
Bay Area Job Outlook
- Electrician: Average Starting Wage: $28.71/hour
- Electronics Technician: Average Starting Wage: $28.59/hour
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics – May 2021
