Top 6 Essential Tips for Aspiring Electricians

Last Updated on November 3, 2024

Becoming an electrician is a promising career because everyone, everywhere, needs and uses electricity. Either for new home construction, renovations or simply because things break down and need to be fixed. Almost everyone can recognize the difference between an electrician’s work and a handyman’s.

However, there is much more to it than recognizing quality electrical work. If you are considering this career path, you should know some important things about becoming an electrician before you begin your training.

1) What Does an Electrician Do?

There are many different types of electrical work available to someone who has completed their training. One common role is replacing old wiring in buildings or homes with new 3-prong outlets so you can plug things in safely. Other typical tasks include: troubleshooting when something goes wrong with the electricity, installing power lines for construction projects, repairing machinery that runs on electricity (like alarm systems), working on transformers or power stations, updating fuse boxes or circuit breakers, working outdoors servicing power lines, and working in new construction to build homes from the ground up.

If you want answers about becoming an electrician, get more here on everything you need to know. Electricians are always in demand so you can be assured of a long and prosperous career in this field.

2) Education Required

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the education required to become an electrician can vary based on your country or state. However, you will need to complete an apprenticeship and pass a certification exam in most cases. There are two types of degrees available; one requires four years of post-secondary school while the other only requires some on-the-job training with an apprenticeship program.

The 4-year degree will give you a more well-rounded education and allow you to work in many other fields of electrical work. The shorter option may be better if you have a specific trade in mind that you would like to focus on.

3) Licensing and Certification

To work as an electrician, you must be licensed and certified in your state or country. A license is not required in some cases, but it is recommended. A license means that you have met all the requirements set by the state, including testing and safety measures. The licensing process can vary but usually requires passing an exam. The certification process is typically handled by the trade organizations that electricians belong to. Certifications demonstrate that you have the required skills and knowledge to work on electrical systems safely.

4) Journeyman vs. Master Electrician

There are two types of electrician licenses; Journeyman and Master. Once you have completed your education and licensing, you will become a journeyman electrician. This is the first level of certification and allows you to work under a master electrician. After several years (usually 7-10) of experience and good work history, you may apply to become a master electrician yourself. A Master electrician has either a Journeyman license or a 4-year degree in electrical engineering. Master electricians have more knowledge and experience in the field and can do more complex tasks.

5) The Industry Is Growing

The electrical industry is growing, and there are many opportunities for electricians. With the increase in technology, more and more devices are run on electricity, which is expected to continue. People will always need electricity in their homes and offices. Electricians are also in high demand for construction projects as new homes and buildings are being built daily. The future looks bright for those who want to become an electrician. In addition, the demand for electricians is expected to grow by 7%. That means more job opportunities over the next ten years than there are now.

6) You Can Be Your Boss

There is no better way to be your boss than running a business as an electrician. Suppose you have completed your training and passed the state exam. In that case, you could begin working for one of the many electrical companies that exist or start your own business and work on contracts with other companies that need electricians. Either way, it’s about finding clients and doing good work well within time parameters so they can’t complain and you don’t go out of business. Here is more information on how much an amateur electrician makes.

So, what does it take to become an electrician? As you can see, many different things go into it. The most important thing is to make sure you have the required licensing. Once you have that, it is up to you to decide what type of electrician you want to be. There are many different types of jobs an electrician can do, so you are sure to find one that fits your interests and skills. The job outlook for electricians is good, so now is a great time to start your training.