New Residential Electrical Journeyman Certificate provides apprenticeship preparation and future licensure opportunities
SALT LAKE CITY — — Ensign College has launched its first vocational and technical education program, the Residential Electrical Journeyman Certificate, expanding the college’s career-focused academic offerings to include hands-on training for the skilled trades.
The most recent cohort of students began classes August 31, 2026, in a newly renovated vocational and technical learning space designed specifically for applied instruction. Applications are being accepted for January.
Built around real work, the Residential Electrical Journeyman Certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in the electrical trade while helping them build foundational skills for apprenticeship preparation, future licensure pathways and continued educational opportunities. Ensign College designed the program to go beyond classroom instruction by giving students frequent opportunities to work directly with tools, wiring systems, electrical components and real-world applications, along with small cohort instruction and an evening schedule designed to support working students.
The program is offered through the Ensign College Center for Technical and Vocational Studies and reflects the college’s long-standing emphasis on applied learning in a faith-centered environment. Students learn electrical fundamentals, wiring, blueprint reading, National Electrical Code concepts, and safety practices. Additionally, the Ensign College curriculum places a unique focus on durable professional skills such as communication, problem solving, dependability and responsibility. “We work closely with employers in a variety of industries,” said Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch. “They tell us repeatedly that they need employees who are dependable and ready to contribute on the first day. That is especially important in the trades.”
“Across Utah and the nation, there is a growing need for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen who can do essential, practical work with excellence,” said Ensign College Director of Vocational and Technical Education, Dave James. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 81,000 electrician openings each year over the next decade, many tied to workers leaving the labor force or moving into other occupations. That represents a real opportunity and a real responsibility. At Ensign College, we want to help students prepare for meaningful work that blesses their families and strengthens communities.”
As part of the launch, Ensign College completed a custom renovation of an existing campus space to create a vocational and technical training environment where students can learn by doing. The space supports hands-on instruction and allows students to work directly with tools, materials and systems in a guided setting. The program also incorporates VR/AR-enhanced learning experiences to help students visualize systems and safely practice procedures before entering lab environments.
“I wanted to learn a trade, but I knew I needed more than bookwork,” said Grant Rupp, a student in the inaugural cohort. “What I’ve enjoyed most is how much we actually do. We are using tools, working with systems and learning with our hands. It’s been a great hands-on learning experience for me to grow in the gospel while growing as an electrician.”
Ensign College has also entered into an articulation agreement with Mountainland Technical College to support continued educational opportunities for students. The program has been recognized by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing as preparing graduates, after meeting applicable state requirements, to be eligible to apply to take the Utah Residential Journeyman exam in two years.
The launch of the Residential Electrical Journeyman Certificate marks the first of several planned vocational and technical programs at Ensign College. The effort reflects Ensign’s mission to prepare capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ who are ready to serve in their homes, the Church, their communities and the workplace.
“Students need more than information. They need guided practice, confidence and the opportunity to learn by doing,” said Kusch. “This program was designed to help students develop practical electrical skills in a setting where they can work with real tools, real systems and real expectations. We believe students learn by faith and by doing. Our students develop skill, confidence, discipline and purpose and go out and make an immediate difference.”
Enrollment for the October 26 cohort is now open, with limited seats available to support small cohort instruction and individualized support.
For more information about the Residential Electrical Journeyman Certificate, visit
www.ensign.edu/ensign-college-
www.ensign.edu/degrees-
About Ensign College
Founded in 1886 and located in downtown Salt Lake City, Ensign College is part of the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ensign College has an annual campus enrollment of 2,500, with students from over 70 countries, and serves more than 19,000 online students in more than 100 countries in partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
