Do Electricians Need To Go To College

Texas State Technical College

Certificate in Electrical Construction

Texas State Technical College students can take advantage of the growing electrical construction industry. More than 30,000 electricians and helpers are working in Texas, which isnt surprising considering the state ranks first in construction opportunities. This industry can offer skilled jobs that lead to lifetime careers.

In Electrical Construction, you will gain hands-on training in all electrical systems residential, commercial, and industrial. In addition to electrical theory, you will also learn OSHA regulations and alternative energy technologies. Upon graduation, youre eligible to work in almost any construction field as an electrical apprentice.

Programs offered:

Spark a new career and practice a profession related to electrical technologies. To jumpstart, enroll in this hybridCertificate in Electrical Construction program at Texas State Technical College.

Why Become An Electrician

Electricians are respected, paid very well, and play an important role in building Canadas infrastructure. In addition, some estimate that within ten years Canada will face a shortage of 250,000 individuals in the construction industry. This translates to a growing demand for skilled trade workers and better job security.

Learn more about our Electrician Pre-Apprentice Program

How To Become An Electrician: 5 Steps To Take

Electrical work is hard and can be dangerous if you dont know what youre doing. This is why its so important to have extensive training and experience working under a licensed contractor before you can be licensed to work on your own. Here are the 5 steps you need to take to become an electrician.

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Consider Getting Work Experience

Before you apply for an apprenticeship or a trade school, consider working in the field first. If you work as a helper, you can assist electricians with manual labor, retrieve tools and experience this career path firsthand. Although working as a helper isn’t a requirement, taking this route can help you demonstrate your potential and get an apprenticeship with your employer of choice.

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General Electrician And Electrical Program Requirements

Many electrician training programs are one-year certificate programs intended to give students basic knowledge of electrical techniques in preparation for apprenticeship. Requirements include an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, with a grade 12 English credit. Students must also be registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Other Ontario college electrician and electrical programs are two- and three-year programs, depending on their level of specialization. These programs also require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, possibly including a grade 12 mathematics credit and / or grade 12 English credit. Communications, physics and other related courses are often encouraged.

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What To Expect From A Career As An Electrician Or Electrical Engineering Technician

Skilled trades are always in demand, which means a career as an electrician can open many doors. With the versatility of education in many electrician and electrical programs at Ontario colleges, you can choose to jump-start your career or spend time learning a specialty.

If youre looking for a career in the field of electrical work and electronics, heres what you need to know.

Electrician And Electrical Jobs And Salaries

There are a number of electrician careers available after apprenticeship, including :

• Residential or commercial electrical work
• Industrial electrical work
• Quality control

Graduates of electrical engineering tech programs may choose to go in a direction other than an apprenticeship, such as working to create electrical designs of buildings and electronic devices alongside engineers and architects.

Starting salaries in the electrical field can be as low as $14 an hour, but with experience or in the right position, can run as high as the high $30s. Typically, the average salary for specialized field workers, such as industrial electricians, is roughly $25 an hour. Unionized workers can also expect higher salaries.

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Electrician And Electrical Courses

Electrician and electrical engineering courses teach the basics of electronics and electrical work, with classes like solid-state electronic devices, circuit construction, digital circuits and electrical repair. Youll learn installation and power distribution methods, learn to understand drive and control systems, and also be well-trained on workplace safety and the Canadian Electrical Code.

Hands-on projects and applications done in the lab will be a big part of the curriculum. Sophisticated AutoCAD programs offered by many institutions will help you design wiring layouts for both commercial and residential areas. Youll also work with other leading technologies in the field, such as Programmable Logic Controllers.

What A Professional Electrician Does

Depending on their particular jobs and areas of focus, electricians can take on several different responsibilities. But for many people in the trade, the day-to-day work often involves tasks such as:

• Planning the layout and installation of electrical systems with consideration for safety and code compliance
• Reading blueprints
• Installing new electrical components
• Repairing and maintaining existing electrical infrastructure
• Inspecting existing electrical systems, components, and equipment to safeguard against hazards and ensure code compliance
• Connecting wires to various components within electrical systems
• Working with power and hand tools to repair or replace equipment, wiring, and lighting fixtures
• Assembling, installing, and testing electrical equipment, fixtures, and appliances
• Using ohmmeters, oscilloscopes, and voltmeters to identify problems and test electrical systems
• Training and supervising apprentices, electrical helpers, or less experienced electricians
• Consulting and collaborating with architects, engineers, or specialists in other skilled trades who are working on the same projects

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What Are My Career Choices

Since electricity has become an integral part of everyday life, an adequate supply of electrical power is necessary, as well as a reliable system for efficient utilization. Because of this there is a continuing need for qualified electrical technicians.

Graduates acquire the knowledge and skills for employment in such career areas as:

• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Maintenance

The program focuses on preparing students for electrician positions in industry and building trades. Classroom and laboratory instruction include blueprint reading, motor controls, and residential wiring. The program offers specializations in Industrial Electric, Construction Electric, and Motor Control Electric.

Bluegrass Occupational Outlook

• Certificate

How Long Do Electricians Have To Go To School

The length of time an electrician has to go to school really depends on which type of program you are enrolled in.

• Apprenticeship: four years. Youll need 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 144 hours of being in the classroom per year.
• Trade School: as few as 10 months.
• Community College: Community college programs take two years if youre a full-time student.

Once you finish training, you will be career-ready as an electrician apprentice and can begin work. It will take approximately 2 more years to reach journeyman status, where you can work more freely on your own. So, all in, with your program plus an apprenticeship, it can take up to six years to become a journeyman electrician.

Find an electrician school near you now.

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Electrician Salaries Across The Us

Electrician salaries can vary widely depending upon several factors, such as years of experience, area of specialization, or state and local area. This salary guide helps aspiring electricians understand where the highest-paying areas might be, as well as what to expect from salaries in various metropolitan areas.

What Types Of Electricians Are There

Most Electricians work for construction companies, utility companies, in-plant maintenance, or become self-employed working in commercial or residential home installation and repair. However, if you would like to concentrate on a particular field, you have many to choose from, such as:

• New Construction
• And, much more!

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What Is An Nvq

An NVQ is not a training programme it is an assessment framework that assess your skills in the workplace. When you have completed your portfolio there is one last assessment known as an AM2 assessment which is the final bit to show you really know your stuff. Most people take 1-2 years to complete an NVQ however it can be completed much quicker if you have a lot of variety in your job or if you have been working for some time and already have the supporting evidence required from previous jobs.

What Type Of Work Does An Electrician Do

• ICI Sector – Work in this sector is Industrial, Commercial and Institutional. This is referred to as a Construction and Maintenance Electrician.
• Low Rise Residential Sector – This sector is restricted to housing excluding high rise residential buildings.
• Lineworkers – This sector is restricted to the high voltage and the utility sectors.

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Employment Opportunities For An Electrician

Electricians are employed in a range of industries, including manufacturing, mining, minerals, construction, energy and water supply, storage and transport, domestic and commercial electronics service and retail. Some work for government organisations, while others work as contractors on their own behalf or are employed by contractors. The data communications and IT aspects of the industry are becoming increasingly important as new technologies alter the way businesses operate. Recent developments, such as home automation and the integration of systems such as data communications, suggest the current rapid rate of technological change in the industry will continue to accelerate. There are growing opportunities to work as a renewable energy electrician and to design and install photovoltaic systems. Additional training is available. Promotion to supervisory, technician, engineering and management positions is possible with experience and further training.With experience, and some business training, electricians may apply to gain an additional electrical contractor licence to run a business.

Complete High School Or A Ged

Whether you’re going right into an apprenticeship or you intend to complete further education, you will need a high school diploma or GED. In high school, taking courses in math, science, shop and computer-aided drafting can help you learn skills that can be useful for electricians. Some technical high schools allow students to learn a trade while completing their high school diploma, which can be a good option for those who want to start working more quickly.

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How Much Money Does An Electrician Get Paid

Salaries for an Electrician will vary greatly, depending on your level of expertise, the type of specialization you are in, as well as the area of the country in which you work.

The BLS reports average earnings of $56,900 per year as of May 2020. The highest 10% earned upwards of $98,720 or more per year.

Diploma Programme Or Apprenticeship

Firstly, let us point out, the skills and knowledge learned in both programs are fundamentally the same, electrics is electrics, both qualification routes contain the same content, they have to in order to comply with the City & Guilds standards to achieve the qualification. The differences between the two programs are, how they are delivered, in what time frame, to who they are focused, the big difference is employment. To do an apprenticeship, you need a job, an employer before you can begin.On our 4 Step programs, you dont. Getting a job comes after your training, or typically for many people, during your training. You can also use the use our 4 steps approach to get an apprenticeship:

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What Education Do You Need To Become An Electrician

Electrical work is highly technical and in order to become a successful electrician its important to be a critical thinker and have a firm grasp of basic maths and algebra. If you want to excel as an apprentice, journeyman, and eventually master its a good idea to pursue an education that aligns with your chosen career. So, what education do you need to become an electrician?

In order to qualify for an electrician training program you will need to have graduated Grade 12 or have a GED equivalent. Most programs will require that you have passed and scored well on a high level algebra course during or after high school. You may also require a drivers license to qualify depending on your location.

In order to become a Master electrician some states require that you obtain a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university or college. The alternative to an electrical engineering degree is to complete seven years of journeyman electrician experience. An electrical engineering degree also qualifies an electrician to perform much higher level tasks and make a far better income.

How Do I Get Started As An Electrician

The great news is, you dont need a degree to work as an electrician. However, you will need some qualifications, and there are a number of ways in which you can get started.

One option is to study for a Level 2/3 Diploma in Electricial Installation at college this can help you to find a trainee position within a company. In order to enrol onto the Level 2 course, youll need at least 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 . For the Level 3 Diploma, youll need four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 .

Alternatively, you can become an electrician by taking an apprenticeship. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and learn while youre on the job though it will take you around four years to qualify.

Finally, you might be able to get into an electrical installation job if you have experience and relevant qualifications from a similar industry. For example, electrical engineering, or building services.

If you arent sure what the best option is, make a list of pros and cons for each. Alongside this, see if you can talk to anyone already working as an electrician to get their view. Receiving feedback straight from the horses mouth can be extremely beneficial.

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Discover Your Program In Minutes

Electricians are highly skilled trade professionals, and not just because of the risks associated with their work. Electricians train to handle a wide variety of issues with electrical power, lighting and control systems. They might work in households wiring outlets and light fixtures, or in businesses or factories, overseeing electrical equipment. Some work outdoors, repairing electrical boxes and other peripherals that help keep society humming. Without trained electricians. Perhaps most importantly, however, they keep their communities safe by preventing and responding to dangerous situations.

Ready To Start Your Journey

• Electricians install, maintain, inspect, and troubleshoot electrical wiring and systems.
• Jobs for electricians are growing much faster than average.
• You don’t need a college degree to become an electrician.

Can you imagine what life would be like without electricity? Even though it has only been readily available for about 100 years, we now use electricity for everything lighting, household appliances, computers, and heating and cooling. And electricians are the ones who keep our lights on.

Electricians install and maintain electrical wiring, read blueprints and wiring diagrams, inspect electrical systems, and troubleshoot electrical problems. They must also familiarize themselves with the state and local regulations that apply to their work and adhere to those regulations.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming an electrician, now is a great time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the job outlook for electricians is strong. The BLS projects a 9% growth in job opportunities for electricians between 2020 and 2030, which is twice as fast as the average growth across all occupations.

Read on to find out how to become an electrician, including electrician training requirements and information about licensing. Find out how long it takes to become an electrician and learn what electrician training looks like.

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Electricians Install And Maintain Electrical And Power Systems For Homes Businesses And Factories They Install And Maintain Wiring And Electrical Control Equipment Work With Their Hands Encounter Versatile And Challenging Tasks And Enjoy Attractive Compensation And Job Security

The Electrical Apprenticeship program is offered through a partnership with the Harford County Electrical Contractors Association and combines on-the-job training with the formal related technical classroom instruction you need to prepare for this high-demand field. This means you get paid to work while you receive a top-notch education in the electrical field.

Who Teaches This Program

Harford County Electrical Contratcors Association’s instructors come from varied electrical careers including electrical engineers, master electricians, electrical inspectors and utility technicians, along with industrial, commercial, and residential electrical contractors. The comprehensive curriculum is approved by the Maryland Department of Labor.

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What Are The Best Bits About Being An Electrician

The fact that it isnt your typical 9-5 job is extremely appealing. This means that no day is the same and youre constantly meeting new people great if youre the social type.

Alongside this, its a well-paid job thats extremely rewarding. Youll fix problems and make a real difference to the people around you.

Finally, its definitely one of the cleanest of trade jobs you wont be covered in paint, sawdust, or grease at the end of the day!