Are you thinking about making a living as an electrician? This is a job that has more than its share of career opportunities. You can have a long and fruitful career while making an excellent salary. You should know that there are plenty of requirements that you will need to meet to obtain this position.
You Need to Know the Job Description
The first thing that you will need to keep in mind is that being an electrician involves a very specific set of skills. You will need to have a great deal of highly specialized qualifications to succeed in this career. This covers a lot of ground from knowing how to lay cables to knowing where to buy cables online.
You will need to know how to work both on your own and as a part of a team. One day may see yourself working alone for hours at great heights from a cherry picker. The next may see you working along with a team of experts installing a new wiring system in a large house. The variety of the job will always be constant.
The basic ability to grasp, handle, and manipulate tools and various other items will be an absolute must. It’s a good idea to have a solid background in a wide variety of subjects ranging from electronics to mechanics and math. You will also need to be up to date on all of the latest safety guidelines in the field.
You Need to Meet the General Requirements
To meet the basic requirements to become an electrician, you will first have to possess a bit of knowledge and experience. For example, it’s a very good idea to have a background in general mechanics. You’ll also find it useful to have a good grasp of math, including higher forms such as algebra. This is the knowledge you will need to do the job.
You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or, at the very least, a GED. A diploma from a vocational school will do just fine, especially if it prepares you for many of the tasks that you will need to do in your new line of work. You will need a reliable way to get to and from the job.
You Need to Apply for Apprentice Training
The next thing that you will need to do to become an electrician is to apply for specialized apprentice training. There are several places that you can apply to to receive this education. Your best bet is to pick one that combines classroom learning with on-the-job training.
You can apply to such places as Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), or International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). It’s always best to put in the time and effort to research each of these and others to find the one that fits your needs.
You Need to Pass the NEC Exam
The final thing to keep in mind is that, after you have completed your official apprentice program, you will need to pass an exam to get qualified. This is the NEC (National Electrical Code) exam. This is the test that, once passed, will result in you receiving your very first license as a journeyman electrician.
There are plenty of places on the web to find the info that you need to study for and pass the exam. The whole point of the training you receive as an apprentice in this industry will be to prepare you to ace it. The exam is very thorough and not for newbies. Pass it and you will be fully qualified as an electrician.
The Time to Get Qualified is Now
There is no better time than the present to get qualified for a career as an electrician. It’s a field that can lead to long-term employment with great pay and even better benefits. This is the kind of job that there is never a lack of openings for. If you get started and stick to it, you will soon find success.
