Jackie Barker turns up the voltage at the Eastside Training Center

When Jackie Barker talks about her future now, she doesn’t see limits.

“In my last job, there was a salary cap, even if you were a manager,” she said. “I didn’t want to hit that ceiling and feel stuck.”

Today, she’s building something different.

A student in the Electrical Low Voltage Fire/Security program at the Eastside Training Center at Clover Park Technical College (CPTC), Barker chose a field where growth is tied to skill, and advancement doesn’t come with a hard stop.

Sparking something new

Barker worked in security before enrolling at CPTC. That experience sparked her interest in the systems and controls she relied on every day.

“I realized I wanted to be an electrician,” she said. “I just didn’t know which direction to go.”

Her research led her to low voltage — the specialty focused on fire alarms, burglar alarms, access control and more. She discovered she could get trained locally, right in her own backyard.

CPTC is Washington’s primary specialized technical college offering a dedicated Associate of Applied Technology degree and certificate in Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security. The program is recognized for training in the 06 Limited Energy specialty, preparing students to install and service fire and security alarm systems — a field that remains consistently in demand as technology evolves.

“When I saw it was one of the only programs like this in the state and it was offered through the Eastside Training Center, I thought, ‘Why wouldn’t I do this?’” she said. “It just made sense.”

Skills that pay

The demand for low voltage electricians has stayed strong because the systems they work on are essential — and constantly advancing.

ETC students train hands-on with state-of-the-art technology and equipment currently used in the industry, learning installation, troubleshooting and programming techniques that mirror real-world job sites. From fire alarm panels and card access systems to surveillance and networked security platforms, the tools and systems students work with reflect what employers expect.

For Barker, that combination of hands-on training and real-world earning potential made the decision easy – and it didn’t take long to see the results.

“The first time I wired a panel and it powered up correctly? That’s a great feeling,” she said. “You’re building something real. And you know that skill has value.”

Finding her flow

Coming back to school after a decade away from the classroom wasn’t without its challenges.

“It took a while to get my brain back in school mode,” Barker said. “It had been a long time.”

On her first day, she was nervous — and aware she was older than most of her classmates.

“I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’” she said. “But that went away pretty quick. The Eastside Training Center was such a welcoming environment.”

Now in her second quarter, she’s realizing she’s wired for success in her field.

“I’m very detail-oriented about things,” she said. “That’s what this work requires.”

In 06 Limited Energy systems, precision isn’t optional. Fire and security systems must function flawlessly. But that level of responsibility doesn’t intimidate Barker — it motivates her.

“This is exact and important work,” she said. “I’m up for it.”

High-voltage personality

It’s not just Barker’s technical skills that serve her in the low-voltage world. Her personality also gives her a competitive edge.

“My social skills? Ten out of ten,” she said without hesitation.

Often the only woman in a classroom, she’s learned to assert herself and build relationships quickly.

“You can’t shrink yourself. You’ve got to show up.”

A college experience that clicks

The Eastside Training Center isn’t Barker’s first college experience, but it is the first where she’s felt truly supported and connected.

While attending a large, four-year college out of high school, she felt lost in the shuffle.

“There were so many people, but I felt so alone,” she said. “And I found that the professors weren’t really available to help me if I didn’t understand something.”

At the Eastside Training Center, she found something different: smaller classes, instructors who stay after class to offer extra support, and a clear connection between what she’s learning and real-world work.

“The way they teach – it just simplifies a lot of things. That’s a big deal as someone who tends to overthink everything,” she said. “They want you to succeed, and I really appreciate that.”

Building a future without ceilings

After graduation, Barker plans to specialize in fire systems — an area she sees as both stable and lucrative. But more than stability, she’s motivated by upward mobility.

“I never want to feel stagnant again,” she said. “Here, the more certifications you earn and the more experience you get, the more you can make. It’s on you.”

For Barker, this isn’t just a career change. It’s the start of a path with real potential – one she can take as far and she wants.

Her advice for anyone considering CPTC or the Eastside Training Center?

“Just do it. Even if you’re unsure, you’re gaining skills that are practical and that pay. And once you’re in, you’ll see how many doors it opens.”

Opened in January 2025, Tacoma’s Eastside Training Center aligns with CPTC’s institutional goals to increase educational access to communities that have not traditionally been well served by higher education. It blends the same high-quality skills training offered at the college’s Lakewood and South Hill campuses and WorkForce Central services designed to bridge the gap between job seekers, employers and community organizations.