If you're looking for a steady career with a decent-paying income, you should highly consider becoming an electrician, as the employment of electricians is expected to grow 14% from 2014 to 2024. This is much more than the expected growth for other industries. The pay is not bad. The median hourly pay for electricians in 2014 was approximately $24.57, and this doesn't include additional benefit packages that come with the position. To become an electrician, you will first need to get an electrician certification at a trade school and to work alongside a licensed electrician as an apprentice. There are quite a lot of apprenticeships available. When applying to a position, here's 3 things you should consider.
What You'll Learn
Don't overlook the time that you're going to work as an apprentice because this is probably when you're going to get the most hands-on training. You need to look for an apprenticeship program that will offer a minimum of 144 hours of class time and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training each and every year. Generally speaking, most apprenticeships will take 4 years to complete. During your apprenticeship, you will learn how to install outlets, conduits and wiring. You'll also learn electrical theory, electrical code compliances, safety regulations and also blueprint reading.
Depending on whether you are interested in specializing in anything, you'll want to take a detailed look at what you'll be learning and how you'll be working alongside. If you plan on specializing in a certain task or field, you'll definitely benefit from focusing more time and effort in learning about that area. For example, if you would like to specialize as an outside lineman, you should spend more time installing power lines. On the other hand, if you prefer working indoors, you might want to specialize as a residential wireman, and spend the majority of your apprenticeship installing electrical wiring in homes.
How Much You'll Be Paid
Apprentices get paid significantly less than licensed electricians; however, if you are going to be spending the next couple of years as an apprentice, you definitely want to make sure you're going to be getting paid a decent amount to get by. There is no set pay for apprentice electricians, and different programs and positions offer different wages. As a result, you definitely want to shop around when applying for an apprenticeship in order to make sure you are getting paid a fair wage. The average apprentice earns approximately $13.81 per hour; however, the hourly pay can be as low as $10.05, and as high as $18.59. Do not hesitate to negotiate how much you're going to get paid, especially since you might not be getting pay raises anytime soon.
Whether You'll Have a Future at the Company
Most companies offering apprenticeship programs are generally willing to offer you a job once you complete the apprenticeship and obtain your electrician certification. If this is the case, you should consider whether you'll have a future at the company that you are applying for, and whether you'd be interested in working there after you receive your certification. Keep in mind that it's generally much easier to get a position in the company if you completed your apprenticeship there. This may be partly be due to the fact that you will have ample time to network and get to know everyone in the company during your apprenticeship.
Consider whether the company offers decent pay raises each year or every several years, and whether you enjoy the work environment and company of the employees you'll be working alongside of. The reputation of the company should also be taken into account.
Conclusion
The projected growth in the electrical industry is looking good, and there will be a huge demand for electricians in the near future. Becoming an electrician is definitely a great career path if you are interested in that line of work. Getting your electrician certification will be a piece of cake once you are accepted into an apprenticeship program. Most trade schools will help you find a suitable program to your interests.
For more information on electrician certification, check out a site like http://hvac-tech.com.
Share28 December 2015
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