How To Become An Electrician

There are some careers that will always be in demand despite the state of the economy, and electricians fall into that special group of professionals so if you are currently wondering how to become an electrician then you are on the right track for a successful and rewarding future. The modern society is virtually powered by electricity, which is arguably one of mankind greatest discoveries.

How to be an electrician

Electrical power has become such an integral part of modern day living that it is actually more of a necessity than a luxury item. This means that the demand for qualified electricians would most certainly be expected to keep growing in tandem with the increase in consumption of electricity as well as the production of new electrical appliances.

The unemployment baseline has changed over the years as has the economy. It is therefore critical that you give serious consideration to the type of career that you would want to pursue. You would not want to be among the thousands of college graduates who find it very difficult to secure and hold down a job due to the dynamics of the job market. Ideally, anyone who wants to become an electrician would be required to meet the following minimum requirements by a majority of the learning instructions:

  • Be 18 years and over.
  • Be in Good health.
  • Should not be using illicit drugs.
  • Should have a minimum of an year of high school algebra, science, electronics and mechanical drawing.
  • Have a GED or high school diploma.

Apart from the above minimum requirements, you should also not suffer from certain phobias such as those associated with tight spaces (Claustrophobia) and height (Acrophobia) as some job would require you to work in either very tight spaces or above the ground. In addition, you should be highly dexterous and be good with tools, have an excellent ability to read comprehend instructions and learn new skills easily. Work education and college education are not really mandatory, but would certainly give you an edge.

 

The Path To Becoming An Electrician

If you meet the conditions discussed above, the next step would be to look for suitable apprenticeship. Training as a apprentice can be both demanding and exciting. According to the U.S Department of Education, this time-honored training method ensures that electrical workers are able to master relevant occupational skills that will come in handy later on in their careers. Individuals undergoing this type of training receive professional training while earning a salary. The learning is not only academic, but it is also work-based and closely supervised.

As your skills improve, you will be able to handle more difficult and potentially dangerous jobs. The average apprenticeship program takes anything from two to five years. The fact that you would get to earn money while working would be one of the benefits. These programs would prepare you for the journey that would ultimately lead you to earning an electrician license. Additional qualifications would see you become a master electrician and ultimately an electrical contractor.

 

Below are some of the approved ways of studying for your electrician trainee/apprenticeship program:

  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) together with the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) carry out a joint venture for the electrician’s Union apprenticeship program. This program is composed of on-the-job training totaling to 8,000 hours and classroom instructions totaling to 144 hours over a period of 4 to 5 years.
  • Apprenticeship programs offered by various states departments are another way of solidly starting your journey towards becoming an electrician. In some instances, these programs are created in conjunction with the NJATC or purely by potential employers. It is important to be aware of the local regulations that apply to apprenticeship programs within your state or county.
  • Military electrician trainee programs offer excellent training and preparation to would be electricians. Once you are honorably discharged from the military, you can convert your military electrician skills into a civilian license. This option has many benefits such as traveling the world and exposure to state of the art technology.
  • Since becoming an electrician entails academic/theoretical training and hands-on/practical training, it is possible to complete the theoretical part online. If you opt to go with an online program, it is advisable to double check the license status of the online training provider so that the accrued hours are acceptable in the issuance of a journeyman’s license. This is a very convenient and cheap alternative of satisfying the educational part of the apprenticeship program.
  • Last but not least, you can become a professional electrician via job corps training. This is a type of training program that is administered by the Department of Labor. You are required to be at least 25 years of age and meet the stipulated income guidelines. You might also be required to work in areas where electrician services are in high demand.

 

Electricians usually work on the power grid to ensure the smooth flow of electricity from where it is generated to where it is consumed. They work on electrical poles and power lines as well as a home’s wiring system which makes there services very important in modern society.