The Art Of Becoming An Electrician

Over the last few years, countless people have lost their jobs due to layoffs, business closures, and generally difficult economic times. As a result, many people are looking into acquiring new skills in order to change vocations, and one of the most in-demand trades is becoming an electrician. According to the latest job forecasts, the need for skilled workers in this area is expected to increase by 9 to 14 percent over the next 7 to 10 years. Whether you are looking to become an electrician, or need to hire one, it is important to know the type of training they are required to have.

All electricians are required to have a high school degree, or a G.E.D, or have attended a vocational/technical school and completed their training program. Once your classroom work has been successfully completed, the next step is to enter an apprenticeship program. These hands-on programs combine what was learned in the classroom with real work experience, and are administered by training committees whose members come from local unions, independent contracting companies, and professional associations. On average, and apprenticeship lasts for 4 years, and requires more than 140 hours of classroom instruction and more than 1,500 hours of hands-on training. During this instruction, students are taught how to read blueprints, safety and first aid skills, and specialized training such as communications and operating various types of machinery. The hands-on component includes installing, connecting and testing wiring, and drawing diagrams, among other practical skills. In addition to training, a candidate should be manually dexterous, have good hand eye coordination and color vision, and be physically fit.

Once a candidate has completed her apprenticeship, she may then apply for a job as an electrician with a company, or she may choose to go into business as an independent contractor. While working, most people in this trade continue their education in order to keep up-to-date on new systems, safety measures ,and installation techniques for new devices. Many contractors also choose to enroll in management or business ownership courses, so they can learn to manage others successfully, and foreign language courses to be able to communicate easily with workers of all nationalities. In order to prepare for the exam that will allow them to be licensed by the state, many contractors also enroll in classes where they can study the National Electrical Code, as well as changes to state and local building and electrical codes.

In nearly all states, an electrician must be licensed to practice his trade. Specific requirements vary from one state to the next, but all require a passing score on an exam that covers electrical theory and the Nation’s Electric Code, as well as state and municipal requirements regarding detailed knowledge of building and electric codes. Electrical contractors who plan to work for the general public are required to obtain a special license that shows them as being certified master electricians. To obtain such certification requires a minimum of 7 years work experience, as well as a college degree in electrical engineering or a similar field.