Rewiring the Future With USU Eastern's Technical Education

At 7:30 p.m., many people start winding down their day. But not Acee Blanton and the 79 other students in the electrical apprenticeship program at Utah State University Eastern. For them, class is just getting started. They will spend the evening learning about electrical systems, safety protocols and hands-on applications that will prepare them for careers as licensed electricians.

“It’s past my bedtime,” Blanton said, joking. “But there’s plenty of material to cover, and I’m interested in it, so it’s not like I’m falling asleep.”

As the largest program at USU Eastern, the electrical apprenticeship program follows a unique structure: students work as apprentices by day and attend classes two nights a week. Over four years, they gain the knowledge and experience needed to earn their journeyman license, an important step in becoming a fully certified electrician.

This model appeals to a wide variety of students, including those like Blanton. At 30 years old, he isn’t a typical college sophomore. He has a family to support and spent a decade in the HVAC industry before realizing a shift was necessary for greater job stability.

One of the biggest draws of the program for Blanton was the reputation of Andy Jones, instructor and head of the electrical apprenticeship program at USU Eastern.

“With him at the helm, it’s really just a formula for success,” Blanton said. “You’ve got a guy who's done residential, commercial and industrial. He has done things that not everybody gets to do. Honestly, you couldn’t have picked a better guy.”

Jones, who took over the program just over a year ago, brings nearly 30 years of field experience to the job. Under his leadership, the program has expanded, strengthened industry connections and introduced more hands-on learning opportunities.

“You can just see the students come alive when they get hands-on experience,” Jones said. “I’ve worked side by side with hundreds of apprentices, and the most enjoyable part of my career is helping someone who might lack confidence or ability realize what they can do. That’s what I get to see every day here at USU Eastern.”

The hands-on portions of the program are Blanton’s personal favorites. One lab focused on motor starters was particularly memorable.

“If you don’t understand circuitry, that lab will throw you for a loop,” he said. “But it’s an amazing way to learn because you’re building, testing and seeing results in real-time.”

A quick learner, Blanton often completes his work early and uses the extra time to help his classmates.

Blanton isn’t the only non-traditional student in the class. The region has seen significant economic shifts in recent years, particularly with coal mines shutting down. As a result, many people are seeking new careers, and USU Eastern’s career and technical education (CTE) programs offer vital opportunities.

“You can go anywhere in the world and be an electrician,” Jones said.

Flexibility is one major advantage of the electrical trade. Graduates can work for established companies, start their own businesses or specialize in industries ranging from residential wiring to large-scale industrial projects. With growing demand for skilled electricians, USU Eastern’s apprenticeship program plays a crucial role in addressing workforce shortages across the state.

The electrical apprenticeship is just one of many career and technical education programs offered by USU Eastern. From welding to health care, these programs provide practical, hands-on training that helps students transition quickly into high-demand careers. Many of these learning pathways allow students to earn while they learn, making career advancement more accessible for those with families or full-time jobs.

Blanton plans to continue working at the company he is apprenticing at throughout the remainder of his time at USU Eastern. After graduating and passing his journeyman’s license exam, he may just start his own company, proving services in the area he has called home all his life.

“I’m just young enough and just old enough to not know exactly where I’m going yet,” he said. “But I know I’ll have the skills to do it all.”

Hear more about Acee Blanton’s journey in the apprentice electrician program and from Andy Jones at https://tinyurl.com/EasternElectrical.