Thinking about becoming a licensed electrician? It’s a great career choice today as the demand for electricians is climbing. It’s also a unique career path where much of the training can be obtained while working and receiving a pay-check. Even people who work in manufacturing or skilled trades can benefit from a baseline knowledge of electricity, which can be done with our Basic Electricity course.
Earning Your High School Diploma or GED
Before beginning vocational school or an apprenticeship towards becoming a journeyman, you must have either a high school diploma or its equivalent, the GED (General Education Diploma). This is required because electricians often use the essential math and physical science fundamentals taught in these courses.
What Is A Journeyman?
Licensed electricians are known as journeyman. Becoming a journeyman can take between two to seven years and some skills require classroom time, which can be done online. As a journeyman, you can choose to work for a company or be self-employed.
In order to be paid as you work towards becoming one, you can work under an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, you work with an experienced electrician at real job sites on real jobs. An apprenticeship is a free education that is earned as you work and states have different requirements on the required length of time for this. Your job will likely have benefits, job security, continued education, and more. You may even negotiate your pay and hours.
Interests & Skills That Will Help
There are skills that will be helpful to already have if you are interested in this field. Working alone comfortably is important as many electricians operate independently. Problem solving skills and the challenge of “figuring things out” is also an essential part of the job. Mechanical aptitude is key as electricians frequently repair equipment and need an understanding of how to use calibration tools.
Business and communication skills will become more important if you ever plan to go into business for yourself. Management and strategic planning skills, inventory tracking, and customer service abilities can make or break a business venture.
State Requirements
Every state has a different set of requirements for becoming a licensed electrician. To select your state and find a list of state requirements click here. Keep in mind that there may be county or city requirements also.
Types of Work For Licensed Electricians
There are different avenues you can take in your career path once you become a licensed electrician. For example, inside electricians work within one particular business. It may be in a school district going from school to school or possibly within a plant or factory. Residential electricians troubleshoot power and wiring problems or build electrical systems for new buildings. Telecommunication electricians will repair, install, or lay the cable for systems needed for all forms of communication. This type of work may be business specific or government contracts. As mentioned previously, even if you work in manufacturing or skilled trade, you could benefit from understanding the basic nature and functionality of electricity.
Whether you are looking for the Basic Electricity Course or state specific courses for continuing education and licensing, @HomePrep offers you self-paced distance education.
