Electricians Needed – How to Become an Electrician

Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Admin

The last few years have seen the value of college degrees drop significantly due to “oversupply” and programs not tailored to the job market. On the other hand, the traditionally despised career paths, such as electricians, are experiencing quite a dramatic increase in demand even as the supplies decline.

This scenario means one thing: better job security in such careers and an increase in remuneration thanks to the high demand. So if you are considering a career path and a four-year college degree isn’t something you are not interested in, you could consider a career as an electrician.

Why an Electrician

There are many options for blue-collar jobs, so you could wonder why becoming an electrician is the best option. First, it is industry projections. According to the BLS, jobs in the industry are expected to grow 9% between 2020 and 2030, while the average for other careers is 7.7 percent.

Also, electricians are in demand in almost any industry, from construction, manufacturing, health care, transportation, and entertainment, to information technology. With everyone scrambling for the few electricians in the market, the supply and demand will ultimately push the salaries up.

An entry-level electrician can earn as much as $44,000. Still, the rates can vary with the region, enough to provide you with a relatively decent life as you gain experience, which comes with higher salaries.

Related Posts:

• Tendering Department Employee Job Description and Salary Details
• Is your electrician covered with electricians insurance?
• 16 Best Electrical Engineering Apps For Every Electrical Engineer
• What Education Do You Need to be a Construction Worker?
• How to handle water scarcity during summer season in complex apartments?

How to Become an Electrician

There are three main routes to becoming an electrician; apprenticeship, learning on the job, and getting formal education at a vocational college. However, your route into a career as an electrician may depend on your state’s requirements.

Apprenticeship And Learning Of The Job

Becoming an electrician through apprenticeship involves combining on-the-job training with some classroom instruction. Apprenticeships are typically sponsored by labor unions, trade associations, or individual contractors.

But you do not always have to get classroom instruction in some states; you can earn your certificate after gaining experience as an electrician’s helper. Apprenticeship and learning-on-the-job options are limited in finding employment opportunities since most employers want to see academic qualifications on top of your electrical license.

Formal Electrician Training

If you are serious about a career as an electrician, formal training is the best option since it guarantees a wider opportunity for employment, including working in other states.

First, you will need to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. Some subjects that will provide you with a good foundation in and a career as an electrician are physics, shop and mechanical drawing classes, and algebra and trigonometry. Luckily you may not need to score as many points as needed for a college degree.

After high school, you could join a vocational technical college for practical and classroom instruction. You could also consider pursuing a four-year college degree if you have the grades.

Formal training is not enough to earn you a license as an electrician; you will need to start with an apprenticeship to get the 4000 hours of on-the-job experience required to get an electrical license.

Some states consider hours spent at school as on-the-job experience, so you may not need 4000 hours of apprenticeship after training. After completing your apprenticeship, you qualify for licensing but may need to take an electrical licensing exam.

This exam tests a candidate’s comprehension of the National Electric Code, electrical concepts and building codes, and safety protocols. It applies irrespective of the route you take to your career as an electrician.

Final Words

Blue-collar professions have traditionally been viewed as inferior to white-collar jobs. But the tables are turning with workers in these professions, such as electricians having the best job security prospects due to increasing demand and low supply. If you want to become an electrician, the insight above should give you an idea of what it takes to get into the career.

Related Posts:

• What Is the Future for Electricians?
• Educational Pathways: Degrees vs. Apprenticeships in Construction
• Top Electrical Engineering Projects for Diploma Students [Updated List]
• Civil Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering: A Comprehensive Comparison