The process of becoming an electrical apprentice is not very complicated. In general, you will need to obtain a high school diploma or GED and pass the test to become a journeyman electrician. After that, you will need to find an electrical contractor or union that hires apprentices.
A typical apprenticeship program lasts four years. During this time, you will work under the supervision of a licensed electrician while attending classes at night or even during the day depending on your schedule and where you live. The program is designed to teach you everything you need to know about being an electrician including math skills, blueprint reading, construction techniques and safety practices so that when it comes time for your final exam (which is an open book test) you’ll be ready!
After passing your final exam with flying colors (which we hope will happen), you’ll be ready to take on any job opportunity that comes your way as an electrical apprentice!
How To Become Electrical Apprentice
Are you a good problem-solver who has always found electricity and electrical technology pretty fascinating? If your answer is yes, then maybe an electrical career would be a natural fit for your natural abilities. Long before you become an electrician though, you’ll need to work in the field as an apprentice. Here are 5 steps you can take to become an electrician apprentice:
1. Research Electricity and Electrician Jobs
Before you begin any career, you’ll want to learn as much about it as you can. Read books about electricity and electrical code. Follow job postings about the profession. Talk to experienced electricians. Find out what they do, where they do it, and what they like about their jobs. Does what they do sound like something for you?
2. Get Your High School Diploma
If you haven’t already graduated from high school, you likely need your diploma or GED to become an electrician apprentice. One year of algebra can give you a head start. Additional math and science courses, such as physics, will also help you understand the principles of electricity and electric circuitry.
3. Enroll in an Electrician Training Program
If you want to work as an apprentice, get some solid electrician skills to bring to the table. Choose an electrician career training program that teaches you the fundamentals of electricity, electrical code and safety, while also giving you the opportunity to try out what you’re learning in a hands-on environment. You’ll need a good combination of classroom instruction and lab work so you’ll fully understand what it’s like to work on real electrical units, distribution systems and industry equipment.
4. Find an Electrician Apprentice Sponsor
Private companies participate in apprenticeship programs to teach and train future workers. The programs are supervised by the state and must adhere to state regulations, but you can locate participating companies independently. You can also find them through local unions, career centers, and Veterans’ programs.
5. Prepare for Your Electrician Apprenticeship Interview
An apprenticeship could be one of the most important steps you take on the road to becoming a journeyman or master electrician, so you need to take it seriously. Research the company and polish your resume and cover letter. And when you’re at the interview, don’t just talk about all you hope to learn; explain why you’d be a great asset to the company.
At Porter and Chester Institute, our Electrician: Industrial, Commercial, and Residential program can give you the foundation in electrical technology an electrician apprentice needs. Check out our career training programs at our nine locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts and find the one that is right for you!
The first step to become an apprentice electrician is to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. You also need to have completed at least a year of algebra in high school or one semester of college algebra.
Secondly, most apprenticeship programs require you to pass the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee aptitude test. This test consists of reading comprehension and mathematical problems.
Finally, you must have other skills, such as physical fitness, attention to detail, effective communication skills, organization, ability to work with a team, problem-solving skills and dexterity (ability to work with your hands). Technical skills include the ability to read diagrams and identify colors, basic knowledge of electrical tools and basic knowledge of math.
How to become: Electrician · Apprentice Electrician · Senior Electrician · Junior Electrician · Master Electrician
These qualifications are required: Electrician Apprentice · Journeyman Electrician · OSHA 10
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What skills help Apprentice Electricians find jobs?
- Communication skills
- Construction
- Customer service
- Electrical experience
- Electrical wiring
- English
- Hand tools
- Mechanical knowledge
- NEC
Electrician apprentice works as a support to the Electricians in operation, maintenance, and repair of electrical programs. They assist the electrician with the maintenance and installation of electrical equipment.
You will work under the supervision of the electricians as an assistant for testing equipment that is malfunctioning, troubleshooting, and therefore repairing and replacing the parts with defects. You will assist in the installation of equipment and wiring tasks. You will also be responsible for learning all the educational training to be an Electrician.
You must have the ability to travel far distances and work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays for this job. The educational requirement is an Electrical Trainee Certification and knowledge of electrical codes. Experience in the role is an added advantage to be able to work as an apprentice electrician. With this, you will earn $32,983 yearly.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an apprentice electrician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $19.32 an hour? That’s $40,195 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 74,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does an Apprentice Electrician Do
When it comes to the most important skills required to be an apprentice electrician, we found that a lot of resumes listed 21.8% of apprentices electrician included electrical systems, while 15.4% of resumes included hand tools, and 15.1% of resumes included run conduit. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
Learn More About What An Apprentice Electrician Does
How To Become an Apprentice Electrician
If you’re interested in becoming an apprentice electrician, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 15.3% of apprentices electrician have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.1% of apprentices electrician have master’s degrees. Even though some apprentices electrician have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become an apprentice electrician. When we researched the most common majors for an apprentice electrician, we found that they most commonly earn high school diploma degrees or associate degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on apprentice electrician resumes include bachelor’s degree degrees or diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become an apprentice electrician. In fact, many apprentice electrician jobs require experience in a role such as electrician. Meanwhile, many apprentices electrician also have previous career experience in roles such as electrical apprentice or cashier.
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Average Salary
$40,195
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