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How To Become An Electrician

How To Become An Electrician

Have you ever wished you could be a little handier? Whether it’s your lights going out or blowing a fuse, it is vital to know how to fix wiring yourself. 

You might already have the electrical skills to fix your house, so why not make an electrical technician business?

It’s tough to imagine modern life without electric-powered devices, from our phones to heating our houses. Using lights to see in the evenings or watching television is so integral to modern society, and we easily forget the effort that goes into installing and maintaining these systems.

Becoming an electrician is a good career path. An electrician is a skilled trade, often requiring an apprenticeship program and licensing and education. Learn how to become an electrician. From an electrician program to getting your electrician license, we’ll share how.

What is an electrician? 

An electrician performs electrical jobs, and they install and repair electrical wires, phone lines, and electrical equipment.

Electricians can repair existing electrical infrastructure or install new equipment, and they often have to troubleshoot the cause of the problem, which requires extensive knowledge of electrical systems.

From wiring houses from scratch to installing a new light fixture, an electrician’s job is varied and exciting. Those in the electrical trade usually need an electrical license to hire out their services.

College programs and electrical schools teach you the trade and any electrician license requirements. You can make an online application to receive electrician training.

Electricians can work in homes, commercial buildings, public spaces, and industrial areas. They also work both inside and outside. 

Electricians have highly technical and skilled jobs. We rely on them to fix our lights, TVs, and fridges without even realizing their importance most of the time. 

What are the different types of electricians? 

 

There are many different kinds of electricians. The type of electrician depends on areas of expertise and specialization. From being a licensed journeyman to an independent electrical contractor, there are many routes to take.

1. Journeyman electricians

A journeyman electrician is someone who has got their license and completed training or an apprenticeship. At the most basic level, a journeyman license will allow you to work independently, and it is the first step in your electrician’s career.

However, journeyman electrician licenses do not permit leading a job site, taking on apprentices, or applying for permits. 

After two years of experience, a journeyman electrician can get their master electrician license. This type of electrician can take on apprentices and lead jobs. Often, passing an electrician exam is required to become a master electrician, and a master tends to oversee journeymen and other trainees.

2. Independent electrical contractors 

An independent electrical contractor is usually a master electrician running an electrical business. Additional contractor licenses and insurances might be required, and electrical contracting involves hiring other electricians to work jobs.

Journeymen, masters, and contractors can each specialize in which kind of electrical work they do. From commercial electricians to residential electricians, each field is different.

3. Residential wiremen

A residential wireman specializes in electrical systems within the home and includes the following:

  • Apartment buildings. 

  • Residential electrical systems. 

  • Electrical devices.

4. Commercial electricians

A commercial electrician, on the other hand, focuses on commercial buildings, such as office buildings. Commercial wiring differs from residential as it uses different types of power. So, training apprenticeships follow different paths. A certain number of hours is required to be a commercial electrician.

5. Industrial electrician machinery specialists

An industrial electrician specializes in machinery. An industrial electrician must have good industrial relations at factories and power plants, and industrial wiring is often more complex than residential, commercial wiring, and extra training is often required.

6. Electrical apprentices

Electrical apprentices all follow different paths, whether you want to get your residential wireman license or be a maintenance electrician for commercial buildings. Decide where you want your electrical construction career to go before selecting your training course.

What does an electrician do?

Although electricians' electrical systems differ depending on their path, the primary electrical skills are the same. From electrical installations of new equipment to liaising with the department of industrial relations, an electrician's day varies.

An electrician's day might consist of installing new electrical systems, such as lighting, heating, or power sockets. They also install the devices we use to control these, like remotes or switches.

They also carry out maintenance, including troubleshooting malfunctions of electrical wiring and installing new electrical equipment. An electrician inspects systems already in place and suggests changes to improve safety and efficiency.

An electrician in the construction industry might liaise with your state's authorities, such as California's Industrial Relations Department. Electricians communicate with construction management.

All electrical work carried out will have to adhere to the national electrical code. And, if you have an electrical contractor's license or master's license, you might also have to train apprentice electricians. 

How to become an electrician?

There are few educational requirements to become an electrician. Once you have received your educational training, there is a huge demand for electricians. 

There will always be an opportunity to work with so few people trained in trade skills and demand so high. There are a few steps to take, however, before you can get your license issued.

First, you need to get your school diploma or GED. A school diploma is the highest level of formal education you will need to become an electrician. Math, physics, and construction classes all build a sound basis for an electrical career. 

It would be best if you were at least 18 to start your career as an electrician. The next step is to apply for trade schools. Hands-on training is an excellent way to build your skills and knowledge quickly. 

There are also online electrician courses and school programs that will give you the required skills. You can take many different online courses to build a well-rounded knowledge base, such as our Asbestos Awareness training course.

You can also get career diplomas from vocational programs. While you don’t legally have to attend electrician school or get electrician certification to work, it gives your career more credibility.

To get on-the-job experience, apply to be an apprentice. You can work under a master electrician and get a good understanding of the job and electric codes. As an electrician trainee, you will get a wide-ranging experience of the job to kickstart your career.

Some trade schools may offer apprenticeships as part of the program. Apprenticeships can take 1-4 years, depending on the scheme, and is an excellent way to start making money early in your career.

Not every state requires you to take a licensing exam. For example, to be an electrician in California or an electrician in Texas, you do need to get a license. To get a license in California, contact the department of licensing.

As a new electrician, you might want to get liability insurance to protect yourself should anything go wrong. You can apply to get your master’s certificate or specialize as an industrial or commercial electrician to further your career.

How much does an electrician make? 

Electricians are the best paid of all tradespeople, and their salary depends on:

  • The state they work and reside in.

  • Their chosen field of specialization.

  • Their level of experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians earn a median salary of $56,900 per year. The highest-earning state for an electrician is New York, whereas the lowest income is in Nebraska. Each state differs.

Continual training and taking online electrician courses throughout your career can help you earn a higher salary. The more experience you have, the more you can earn.

Is being an electrician a good career? 

The job market always wants electricians. As we become more and more reliant on the electrical devices that make modern life possible, licensed electricians are needed. Starting an electrical career is a good choice. 

Electrician careers are strong, stable, and impressive. There are many career programs to help you start your career as an electrician. Wherever you live, whatever age you are, there are always electrician jobs available. It is a career that will last you for life. 

Even if you decide to try something different one day, you will always have your electrical skills to fall back on. As there is a skills shortage, there is always demand for an electrician.

However, this means the hours you work aren’t regular. You might end up working weekends and evenings, especially if you’re self-employed. However, the more hours you work, the higher income you will receive. 

Working as an electrician is an exciting job. With each day offering a different job and each task requiring a different solution, you won’t get bored. You will develop practical and problem-solving skills.

These skills are ones you will have for life that will benefit you in your personal life and your professional life. Think of all the money you will save having to call out an electrician when something malfunctions. All your friends and family will forever be coming to you for advice.

Another benefit of the job is that you get to meet new people every day. If you’re an outgoing person who thrives on conversation, you will enjoy traveling around speaking to different people. 

If you would rather not spend your days stuck in an office, this trade is definitely for you. You won’t be sitting behind a desk, answering emails and picking up the telephone. If you love using your hands and moving about, becoming an electrician is a good career choice.

Once you have the training and keep up to date with electrician training courses, being an electrician is a beneficial and fulfilling career.

How to be a successful electrician?

To be a successful electrician, you need to work on your communication skills. Clients will call you back again and again if you present yourself in a friendly and professional manner. You want to form a good impression so that people remember you and recommend you.

Maintaining a customer-friendly attitude will make them feel like you are devoting your best efforts to them. It will also make your day more enjoyable by striking up friendly raptors with each client.

You also have to stay aware of your responsibilities. Don’t get too comfortable and forget to arrive at the next customer’s appointment on time. Lateness or being unprepared can make you look incompetent. To maintain your customer’s faith, make sure you are always ready to complete the job.

Similarly, you need to stick to the national electric code. Make sure your standards are always high and, if you need to, complete additional training throughout your career. Electrician courses and continuing education can ensure you always offer high-quality services. 

Always make sure you work with reputable companies. Whether that’s the suppliers you use for equipment or fellow electricians, their reputation will either add or detract from yours. Keep yourself surrounded by reliable and reputable people and companies to ensure you maintain the best reputation you can.

Lastly, you want to focus all your dedication on your new career. Don’t take each day half-heartedly, but embrace this new direction you’re taking. Customers can always tell when the service you’re offering is your best effort, so make sure they appreciate your work. 

How long does an electrician course take? 

Electrical training can take anywhere between 1-4 years.  You can take online electrician training with Courses for Success. Offering various courses, such as Electrical Safety in the Workplace Online Certificate Course, these courses can aid your learning. This electrical course takes half an hour.

This course will cover electrical shocks and accidents, common causes to be wary of, the Electricity at Work Regulations, and risk assessments. Take this course if you want to meet your health and safety obligations or are interested in occupational health.

You can build up your hours of classroom work with flexible electrician classes. All programs follow electrical codes. Whether you’re training to take an electrician certification exam for licensing requirements or maintaining electrical knowledge, certificate programs can help.

Each online electrician training program offers classroom instruction on electrical theory and electrical equipment. Online electrician school can teach you basic electricity skills and how to become an electrician.

With basic training and hard work, you can launch your career as an electrician within the following year. Electricians are modern-day heroes, fixing and installing everything we rely on for daily life. It is an entertaining, rewarding, and enriching career.

Why Courses for Success? 

Courses for Success offers over 10,000 online courses, all of which aim to help you in your personal development and career progression. Not only that, but you can also study them anywhere and at any time, and take them at your own pace, too.

You don’t need career diplomas or specific experience to get started. From our coding courses and trading courses to design courses and developer courses, every course we offer will help boost your prospects, no matter who you are.

Beyond just the education itself, students will be issued a certificate online after completing each of the learning courses they do. Our electrical safety in the workplace courses are no exception. Industry leaders recognize our online electrical safety in the workplace certificates and you could make a name for yourself by signing up for a Courses for Success short course today.

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