An electrician is a person specializing in electrical wiring of commercial buildings, electrical transmission lines, industrial machinery, and other related electrical items. Electricians can be employed either in the construction of new electrical units for homes, business establishments or the repair and maintenance of old electrical infrastructure. They perform works such as wiring up power cables, installing and repairing transformers, testing circuits, etc. Thus, the electrician plays a crucial role in different sectors of industry.
There are different types of electricians and they perform different functions. A good electrician needs to be well-versed with all the electrical systems and instruments. For instance, he must be proficient with the use of transformers, circuit breakers, circuits, power outlets, etc. He should also be skilled at laying out the plans for new constructions or modifications. Thus, he should be a very resourceful and adept electrician.
To become an electrician, one must get through several stages. This includes taking up apprentice training programs offered by vocational schools and community colleges. In most cases, electricians start their training programs by completing their formal education. However, there are several electricians who opt for short-term courses while going through their formal training.
After completing formal education, electricians get an opportunity to take up hands-on training programs. These programs usually last for two years at a vocational-technical school or a technical college. On completion of a training program, electricians obtain a certificate known as EITC (English Institute of Electrical Testing and Technology). On completion of a course at a vocational-technical school, electricians receive an associate’s degree. Electricians who want to take up higher education can get through an online program at a vocational-technical school. With the increasing demand for electricians, there are many online institutions that offer electrical systems training.
There are also a number of vocational-technical schools that offer courses in-classroom training. The instruction takes place in an actual classroom. The classroom training helps electricians develop the skills they need to become an electrician. Although classroom training is highly beneficial, it may not be suitable for all electrician applicants. If you want to pursue classroom training but don’t have an opportunity to travel and meet other students, classroom training might not suit you. This is because some subjects taught in classroom training require theoretical study rather than practical application.
On the other hand, there are electricians who choose to receive their training on the job. The work of these electricians is mostly to set up wiring and perform routine maintenance work in residential electricians’ offices. These electricians are usually employed by large-scale construction companies that own big buildings. They work alongside employees who have much more experience since the work requires close collaboration between the employees. In small offices, they work in pairs.
If you’re thinking of becoming an electrician, there are a number of things you need to know about being an electrician. Electricians have different job titles such as power installers, wiring contractors, or ac engineers. Although electricians generally work with electrical systems, there are slightly different types of electricians that do not have to work with electrical systems. A contractor is an electrician that installs and repairs systems like home cooling and heating systems and electrical systems. Contractors that provide plumbing, heating, or ventilation services are not considered to be electricians.
To be able to become one, you need to have a high school diploma. You don’t even need to have a high school diploma to become an electrician in most states. However, becoming an electrician usually requires the completion of a two-year course. Courses are available at community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and vocational programs. You can also complete your course at a college or trade school. You can find out more about becoming an electrician by checking with your state’s licensing boards.