Everything You Need To Know To Start Your Career As An Electrician
Is your dream job being an electrician but you're not sure where to start? Maybe you've tried applying for electrician jobs only to be told you don't have the correct training or experience. Luckily, there are several schools that offer electrician training so you can get started on your dream job in no time! Not sure where to start? Follow this guide to learn everything you need to know about becoming an electrician.
School
The first step is to find an electrician trade school in your area that offers electrical technology programs. You can also try local four-year colleges that will offer the classes. You will need approximately 500 – 1,000 hours in the classroom and 4-5 years on the job training, depending on which state you live in. Every state requires a different amount. The states are usually broken up into jurisdictions and the training guidelines are set with each one.
Courses
Over the course of your training, you will have several different classes that you will go through to learn everything it takes to become a successful electrician. Some of the courses may include:
-
Practical: Electrical trade introduction, safety lessons regarding fire and shock, electrical connections, multimeter, practical exercises, parts list
-
Electricity: Electron, conductors and insulators, Volts and ohms, resistance and conductance, voltage drop, sources of electricity
-
Residential: Installation, wiring, lighting, special circuits
-
Commercial: Installation, wiring, lighting
-
Industrial: Installation, wiring
License
Once you have finished your required coursework, you can work towards getting your electrician's license. You will need to file the appropriate application with your state in order to get the licensure you need. A lot of employers want you to have certain licenses before working with them. Most states have the following electrical licenses:
-
Sign Electrician – Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master
-
Electrical Contractor and Electrical Sign Contractor
-
Residential Appliance Installer
-
Apprentice Electrician
-
Maintenance Electrician
-
Journeyman Lineman
-
Residential Wireman
-
Journeyman Electrician
-
Master Electrician
Conclusion
In order to determine the correct number of hours of training you need for each license, you need to contact your state board and inquire about it since they are all different. They can also tell you the closest places to apply for the licenses and take the required examinations you need. Some of the electrician trade schools that you go to will help you with that as well. Apprenticeship and journeyman can be completed on the job most of the time and your employer will file the correct hours worked each week with the state.