| There is no one way to become an electrician, | | | | experienced members of the various electricians |
| although most people combine an educational or | | | | unions around the country. The training starts on a |
| training program with an apprenticeship program that | | | | very basic level and progresses as the hours go on. |
| provides on the job training so that they can get a full | | | | What started as a job drilling holes and setting anchors |
| spectrum of education on the electrician industry. | | | | will eventually turn into setting up and drawing diagrams |
| Electrician training is sponsored by many groups that | | | | for electrical systems and wiring houses and |
| form joint training committees, including: International | | | | commercial buildings depending on the type of |
| Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local unions, local | | | | electrician training they are receiving. At some point, |
| chapter of the National Electrical Contractor's | | | | they will acquire, and master, all the skills of an |
| Association, individual contracting companies, local | | | | electrician on the job. |
| chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors | | | | There are any programs out there that allow |
| and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association. | | | | electrician training to start in the classroom before |
| These programs generally last about four years, and | | | | apprenticeship is sought. This is often easier for those |
| include 144 hours of classroom instruction per year | | | | people who don't have time to complete all the work |
| along with about 2,000 of job training in a hands-on | | | | hours combined with the educational hours and |
| setting. Classes teach subjects such as electrical | | | | learning. The students who took training first will |
| theory, math, blueprint reading, requirements of the | | | | generally be hired in at a more advanced level than |
| electrical code, safety, and first aid. Some might | | | | those who are choosing to get their education and job |
| receive training in areas such as cranes, elevators fire | | | | training at the same time. Some people even start out |
| alarm systems, communications, and soldering. Every | | | | as helpers on the job sites, and then get into an |
| classroom setting is different depending on who the | | | | apprenticeship program of their own. |
| apprenticeship is sponsored by. Choosing the right | | | | Once licensing is completed, continuing education is the |
| program could merely be a matter of finding one that | | | | next step in maintaining an electrician's career. Safety |
| is offered near you, or you might have more options to | | | | programs, training for manufacturer-specific tools and |
| give you better choices for training the way that you | | | | products, and even management training are all forms |
| want to learn. | | | | of continuing education that electricians will be looking |
| Job training will allow electricians to work with | | | | for later on in their careers. |