Becoming an Electrician

An electrician installs electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems that keep buildings, homes, factories and businesses running. He or she also performs repairs and upgrades that keep these facilities up to code.

Career Options

Electricians can work in a variety of conditions, including indoors or outdoors. They can be assigned to different sites on a daily basis or stay at one location for months at a time. They may need to travel long distances for their jobs.

They must be able to work safely and efficiently because working with electricity is dangerous. This job also requires good communication skills and the ability to perform tests on equipment.

You can become an electrician by taking a high school diploma or equivalent and attending an apprenticeship program that lasts for four to five years. After completing an apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to apply for your state’s license as a journey worker.

Becoming an electrician can be a rewarding career that offers excellent job security and a stable income. You can also expect to enjoy a low stress level, good work-life balance and opportunities for advancement.

There is no single way to become an electrician, but a combination of education and work experience are the best ways to learn the necessary skills. A high school diploma is the first step, followed by an apprenticeship that lasts up to five years and includes on-the-job training and classroom training.

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can pursue an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. A degree can help you build your resume and gain a competitive edge over other applicants.

You should choose a school that focuses on the technical aspects of the trade, and preferably offers an apprenticeship. This option will help you learn the technical aspects of the trade on-the-job and avoid wasting valuable classroom time.

Alternatively, you can attend a trade school that offers a specialized electrical program that will take less time to complete than an apprenticeship and will teach the basics of the industry. In either case, you’ll need to pass a certification exam in order to obtain your journey worker license and work as an electrician.

Electricians often work for their own companies or contract with other companies to provide services to customers. Most of them join a union, which provides protections for its members and negotiates contracts with the company on their behalf.

A career in this field is a good choice for those who love working with their hands and using their minds to solve problems. With a high salary and steady growth, this profession can offer many opportunities for advancement.

A large number of employers rely on electricians, especially in construction and utilities. The number of openings for electricians is expected to grow at a rate of 9.1% from 2020 through 2030, which is higher than the 7.7% growth projected for all occupations. Some of the job growth in this field is expected to be a result of increased employment in alternative power generation, such as wind and solar energy.