Unsurprisingly, we need electricity to fulfill our daily activities, whether in the house or the job, to the point where it has become a basic necessity in our lives.
When an electric appliance, circuit, machine, device, or other object stops working, electricians are the ones who come to repair those electrical systems. But they do not only correct but also offer assistance for installation and maintenance.
What better way to dive in and learn all it takes to become an electrician through an apprenticeship? It is a way for people to learn by working under the supervision of experienced professionals, but it can take a long time before you become an electrician.
What Does an Electrician Do?
An electrician’s primary role involves ensuring electricity is distributed safely and efficiently throughout buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial structures.
The way that the energy is distributed is through wiring systems. Electricians work with wires running them through walls, ceilings, and floors to connect them to outlets, switches, and fixtures.
However, being an electrician is more complex than it sounds; they must thoroughly understand electrical codes and regulations to ensure the wiring is installed correctly and safely.
When electrical systems start to malfunction or stop working, electricians are called upon to identify and fix the issue. They use specialized tools and equipment to diagnose the problem and repair or replace defective components.
On top of that, regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that electrical systems continue to function correctly. Electricians conduct inspections, test circuits, and replace worn-out parts to prevent potential issues and ensure the electrical system’s safety.
In some cases, electricians must do preventive maintenance, which is providing service to an electrical service even though it is not broken yet. It is to ensure that it lasts longer than its expected lifetime.
They also stay updated with technological advancements and changes in electrical codes to be able to upgrade existing systems when necessary.
And even most of the time, to know where the failure is located or the place needing assistance, they must interpret technical documents, such as blueprints or diagrams, to understand the layout of electrical systems in a building. It enables them to plan and execute installations or repairs accurately.
Benefits of Becoming an Electrician
- High demand. Electricians are in high demand as electrical systems are integral to modern infrastructure. It ensures a steady flow of job opportunities and potential for career growth.
- Skill development. Becoming an electrician requires acquiring a wide range of technical skills and knowledge, leading to continuous learning and personal growth.
- Transferable skills. Many skills acquired as an electrician, such as troubleshooting, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols, are transferable to other industries, providing opportunities for career transitions if desired.
- Career advancement. Electricians can specialize in specific areas, and with additional training and certifications, they can become electrical contractors, project managers, or even start their businesses.
- Competitive salary. They often earn competitive wages, especially as they gain experience. They also have the opportunity to work overtime or take on specialized projects, further increasing their earnings.
Duration of an Electrician Apprenticeship
One of the requirements that an electrician must follow is the fulfillment of an apprenticeship. During your electrician apprenticeship, you will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to become one. With the help of a professional, you will participate and learn at the same time from this work field.
An apprenticeship’s specific tasks and activities can vary depending on the program and professional. But the critical question here is: How long will it take to complete it? After all, if you want to help and support people or businesses with energy supply, you want to finish the apprenticeship immediately.
Most apprenticeships can take four to five years; during that period, you will receive a combination of on-the-job training and technical instruction. Each year of the program typically consists of 2,000 hours of paid training.
In addition, they also receive some classroom instruction to learn electrical theory, safety practices, and other technical knowledge required to become a professional electrician.
However, completing the apprenticeship is not the only thing you must meet. At first, you will need a high school diploma or an equivalent; once you finish the apprenticeship, you must pass a test and be licensed.
Where is the Best Place to Apply for an Internship?
You can start at most technical schools you find in your state. With the knowledge you acquire, you will have no problem presenting the test and getting your license. On top of that, you will need to maintain your license if you want to keep practicing your profession.
However, there are two routes that either get you faster on the field or prepare you even further. The first is going to a trade school, where you can find short specialized training programs dedicated to becoming an electrician.
You can find more centralized subjects and in-the-field practices here, which can take only one to two years to complete. So, if you want to start working faster, opt for a trading school, but we recommend that you take extra years to learn more to avoid any problems in the future.
For that reason, the second option is going to IBEW. It is short for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, an organization representing electrical industry professionals. They provide unique apprenticeships, typically lasting four to five years, in which apprentices work full-time while attending classroom instruction.
Knowing that both can give you the same result, which is better? Some employers prefer that you have more experience in the field, and IBEW, with its theoretical and on-the-job teaching, might score some points to land a job.
However, you are sacrificing time over experience, and in a trade school, you can become an electrician faster than in IBEW. This does not mean you will not learn as much as in IBEW, but getting into the work field more quickly can place you in a profitable organization.
But there are other factors that you have to analyze and compare, like the cost of education, accreditation, branches of study, and others. It may vary depending on the state, so before you apply, look carefully for the differences.
Is it Worth Taking the Electrician Apprenticeship?
Learning for four or five years might sound tiresome for some people, but we can assure you that you will see great benefits and results in the future. You will surely land a job in different businesses and organizations with your acquired experience.
In fact, according to the U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook, this career path is expected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, with about 73,500 openings each year over the decade. So, you do not have to worry about placing yourself in an industry branch, but you still have to prove yourself.
If you do so, you will earn a decent pay that helps with your daily expenses. In May 2022, the median annual wage for electricians was $60,240. You will make more money as you work and do different types of jobs in your area.
Help to Provide Electricity for Multiple People Now as an Electrician
Working as an electrician is all about going to different places and using your skills to supply electricity or maintain and repair electric systems. That might sound exhausting, but it depends on what you love the most or feel satisfied with.
Doing jobs in the field or working at a desk has its ups and downs, so investigate what the job you are applying for offers. Becoming an electrician requires lots of knowledge and skills, and by doing an apprenticeship, you will be prepared enough for the challenges.