The recent slump in the economy has immensely affected the job market. Businesses aren’t expanding, and employment in many industries has completely stalled. However, going side by side with this decline is a steady positive growth! In certain fields, there is still a considerable demand for skilled and qualified professionals. One such profession is of Electrician technicians. It doesn’t matter if there are no new business ventures – the existing ones need electricians with the latest skills to repair, inspect, test, and maintain their equipments especially those with increasingly complex electrical requirements. Furthermore, with ever growing population, the need for new houses, markets, schools, hospitals, and other buildings is bound to increase. Electricians will always be in demand with each new construction and expansion especially those with the broadest range of skills. And as long as there is electricity, there is a career in this field! Just equip yourself with the skills and you are in!
What Do Electricians Do?
The following are some of the responsibilities of an Electrician:
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Installation of electrical machinery in accordance with the National Electrical Code as well as other codes for public safety.
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Maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure
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Connecting circuits, fuses, and all sorts of electrical wiring
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Understanding Blueprints
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Designing electrical systems
Electrician Training Courses & Programs
For a successful career as an electrician or for that matter in any associated trade, it is necessary to get qualified. Your best pick would be to choose an institute that has standard accreditation and offers your choice of courses.
Those who are already working in this profession but want to further enhance their education in order to stay abreast can opt for specialized electrician courses. The specialization areas may include IT system installation and alarms, domestic electrical work, new build, renovation, control electronics, micro electronics or automotive electronics, etc. They may also want to study other specialty areas such as of research electricians, hospital electricians or marine electricians.
Several Apprenticeship programs are also available. The usual on campus duration is of four years - each year comprises of a minimum of 144 hour classroom instruction as well as 2,000 hours on-the-job training period. To enroll in these apprenticeship programs, students need to have a GED or a high school diploma.
Because most of you are either working professionals with very tight schedules or have great family responsibilities, therefore online Electrician Training is your best bet. Electrician schools offer a range of different levels of qualification online. From certifications, diplomas to associates, bachelors and masters programs, all offer a flexible way to pursue advance education in an accelerated format! Another benefit of online courses is that there is no age limit. You can now get Electrician Training course at the age of 50! This advantage is not there even in part time courses run by most institutes. There students over 30 years old have to toil for two long years where they also have to compete with a class full of much younger students. With online education you choose to study in your own free time and from any place where internet facility is available!
Career Outlook
Increase in population, advancement in technologies, and rising efforts to boost energy conservation in buildings, all will spur the demand for qualified electricians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA), employment of electricians between 2008 and 2018 is expected to rise 12 %. In addition to jobs created by the increased demand for these professionals, more openings are also expected over the next ten years as electricians retire. As compared to maintenance electricians, there are greater job opportunities for electricians in electrical contracting firms because businesses are trying to reduce their operating costs and increase productivity by contracting out for electrical services. All these factors show a promising future for all those who are planning to enroll in Electrician Training courses/programs now.
Other Useful Resources
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
State
|
Employment
|
Employment per thousand jobs
|
Location quotient
|
Hourly mean wage
|
Annual mean wage
|
California |
1660 |
0.11 |
1.26 |
18.13 |
37720 |
Florida |
1130 |
0.14 |
1.68 |
17.97 |
37370 |
Illinois |
960 |
0.16 |
1.92 |
17.9 |
37240 |
Texas |
760 |
0.07 |
0.78 |
16.62 |
34570 |
New York |
650 |
0.07 |
0.85 |
20.12 |
41840 |
Source: bls.gov
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Electrician Training Program?
There are many community colleges and technical schools, like the Florida Technical College, which are offering an electrician training program. Students can enroll in an Electrical Diploma, which can be completed within 9-12 months. This program gives students the knowledge and technical skills that helps them repair, troubleshoot and install industrial, commercial and residential electrical systems. Students can also enroll in Associate of Science (AAS) in Electrical Technology which can be completed within 1-2 years and an Electricity Workforce Certificate program, which can be completed within a couple of weeks.
What Are the Requirements to Complete an Electrician Training Program?
In order to graduate from the Electrical Diploma Program, students have to complete approximately 728 contact hours and in order to earn an Electricity Workforce Certificate, students have to complete around 1,200 clock hours. They have to study modules like Electrical Maintenance, DC Theory, AC Theory, Commercial Wiring and Residential Wiring. After completing the training course, students can pursue their careers as an Electrician’s Helper, or an Apprentice Electrician.
How Much Can I Make after Completing an Electrician Training Program?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median pay of Electricians was $55,190 in 2018. The number of jobs available in this field in 2018 was 715,400. Moreover, the employment in this field is expected to increase by 10% from 2018-2028, which is much faster than the average for all other professions. Thus, a career in this field offers rewarding opportunities.