We are slaves. Every one of us. Absolutely. Slaves to electricity.

When the power goes out we sit in the dark, tormented by sensory deprivation— no TV, no computer, the food spoils.

That’s when we need electricians!

Without electricity, in summer we boil, in winter, we freeze. When the power goes off, we freak— it’s 911 time— PLEASE PLEASE GET OUR POWER BACK ON!

That is why, even in a deep recession, job opportunities should be very good (especially for electricians who have trained for the broadest range of skills.)

With online training, or community college training, no college degree is necessary.

But you may even decide to go further— to go on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs. These programs combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.

You learn to bring electricity into homes, businesses, and factories. You learn to install and maintain the wiring, fuses, and other components through which electricity flows. And you can learn to install and maintain electrical machines in factories.

You will learn to read electrical blueprints. Blueprints are technical diagrams that show the locations of circuits, outlets, load centers, panel boards, and other equipment. To ensure public safety, electricians follow the National Electrical Code, and State and local building codes.

You learn to connect all types of wires to circuit breakers, transformers, outlets, or other components. Electricians join the wires in boxes with various specially designed connectors. When installing wiring, electricians use hand tools such as conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, knives, hacksaws, and wire strippers, as well as power tools such as drills and saws.

You learn to use ammeters, ohmmeters, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, and other equipment to test connections and ensure the compatibility and safety of components.
Electricians generally focus on either construction or maintenance, although many do both. Electricians specializing in construction primarily install wiring systems into factories, businesses, and new homes. Electricians specializing in maintenance work fix and upgrade existing electrical systems and repair electrical equipment.

Maintenance electricians is an other specialty you can study to learn. You learn to repair or replace electric and electronic equipment when it breaks. You would make needed repairs as quickly as possible in order to minimize inconvenience.

Electricians in large factories usually do maintenance work that is more complex. They may repair motors, transformers, generators, and electronic controllers on machine tools and industrial robots. Electricians also advise management whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous. When working with complex electronic devices, they may consult with engineers, engineering technicians, line installers and repairers, or industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers.

Many electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship learning programs.

These programs combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.

How high and how fast you want to progress always depends upon how much you have learned, how much mastery of your trade you can command.

Joint training committees made up of local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and local chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association; individual electrical contracting companies; or local chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association usually sponsor apprenticeship programs.

Because of the comprehensive training received, those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify to do both maintenance and construction work. Apprenticeship programs usually last 4 years.

Each year includes at least 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

In the classroom, apprentices learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid practices. They also may receive specialized training in soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and cranes and elevators.

On the job, apprentices work under the supervision of experienced electricians. At first, they drill holes, set anchors, and attach conduit. Later, they measure, fabricate, and install conduit and install, connect, and test wiring, outlets, and switches. They also learn to set up and draw diagrams for entire electrical systems. Eventually, they practice and master all of an electrician’s main tasks.

Some people wisely start their classroom training before seeking an apprenticeship.

A number of public and private vocational-technical schools and training academies offer training to become an electrician.

Employers often hire students who complete these programs and usually start them at a more advanced level than those without this training. A few people become electricians by first working as helpers—assisting electricians by setting up job sites, gathering materials, and doing other nonelectrical work—before entering an apprenticeship program. All apprentices need a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.).

Electricians may also need classes in mathematics because they solve mathematical problems on the job.

Education can continue throughout an electrician’s career. Electricians often complete regular safety programs, manufacturer-specific training, and management training courses.

Classes on installing low-voltage voice, data, and video systems have recently become common as these systems become more prevalent.

Other courses teach electricians how to become contractors.

Most States and localities require electricians to be licensed. Although licensing requirements vary from State to State, electricians usually must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and local electric and building codes. Experienced electricians periodically take courses offered by their employer or union to learn about changes in the National Electrical Code.

Electrical contractors who do electrical work for the public, as opposed to electricians who work for electrical contractors, often need a special license. In some States, electrical contractors need certification as master electricians. Most States require master electricians to have at least 7 years of experience as an electrician.

Some States require a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

In May 2006, median hourly earnings of wage and salary electricians were $20.97. The middle 50 percent earned between $16.07 and $27.71. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.76, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34.95.

Apprentices usually start at between 40 and 50 percent of the rate paid to fully trained electricians, depending on experience. As apprentices become more skilled, they receive periodic pay increases throughout their training.

Some electricians are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Among unions representing maintenance electricians are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; and the United Steelworkers of America.

Home construction is radically down, but other electrician employment keeps rising.

New technologies also are expected to continue to spur demand for these workers. For example, buildings increasingly need wiring to accommodate computers and telecommunications equipment. Robots and other automated manufacturing systems in factories also will require the installation and maintenance of more complex wiring systems.

As the economy rehabilitates and retrofits older structures, which usually require electrical improvements to meet modern codes, it will create additional jobs.

If hands-on work in an essential field gets your juices flowing, get training as an electrician. Get into an apprenticeship learning program.

Or go all out— earn the Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.

Electricity is the river of energy that powers our habitat— we must have it, and that means we must have electricians!

For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the State employment service, the State apprenticeship agency, local electrical contractors or firms that employ maintenance electricians, or local union-management electrician apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s toll free helpline:1 (877) 872-5627.

Information also may be available from local chapters of the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.; the National Electrical Contractors Association; the Home Builders Institute; the Associated Builders and Contractors; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

For information about union apprenticeship and training programs, contact:

• National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, 301 Prince George’s Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. http://www.njatc.org
• National Electrical Contractors Association, 3 Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814. http://www.necanet.org
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1125 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005.

For information about independent apprenticeship programs, contact:

• Associated Builders and Contractors, Workforce Development Department, 4250 North Fairfax Dr., 9th Floor, Arlington, VA 22203. http://www.trytools.org
• Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., 4401 Ford Ave., Suite 1100, Alexandria, VA 22302. http://www.ieci.org
• National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Institute, 1201 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005. http://www.hbi.org
• National Center for Construction Education and Research, 3600 NW 43rd St., Bldg. G, Gainesville, FL 32606. http://www.nccer.org