Jobs for Electricians - Research Paper Example

Electricians’ Career As a career tradesman, an Electrician specializes in wiring of buildings, stationery machines and such other related equipments (Andrew, 15). Their job may entail the installation of new electrical equipments and devices or the repair and maintenance of the already existing ones. Electricians can also be involved in the wiring of other mobile platforms such as ship and airplanes. Installation of electrical systems is the business of electricians, who are required to be licensed before they undertake such activities. In the US however, the tradesmen and the business they perform are separated by the licensing requirement, where the electrician can only work in the public domain, while licensed under an electrical contractor business (John, 116). The major tasks of this career include assembling, installing, testing electrical wiring equipments, using hand and power tools (Mary, 340). They locate the cause of such equipment problems and rectify them. The educational and certification requirement for an electrician is based on classroom instructions involving the theoretical part of the career as well as on-the-job training, where the electrician is meant to learn practical skills. On completion of the required educational training, both in theory and practice, the electrician are allowed to undertake both new installations of electrical systems as well as repair and maintenance work. The acquisition of such educational training is through an apprenticeship program, which lasts for a duration of 3- 5 years. However, 4 years are recommendable for comprehensive training acquisition (Michael, 45). Through apprenticeship, electricians obtain a thorough knowledge of their trade and increase the chances of getting jobs. There are however, those who learn the career informally, while others train to become residential electricians in a designated three-year program (John, 118). In the four years recommended for electricians to undertake the apprenticeship program, they undertake 144 hours of classroom instructions and other 2000 hours on-the-job training every year. The classroom instructions entail the electricians learning electrical code requirements as well as first aid safety practices and instructions on soldering and communications (Mary, 345). On the practical part of on-the-job training, they work under the supervision of trained, qualified, and experienced electricians where they practice and eventually master all the electricians’ major tasks (Andrew, 23). To join the apprenticeship program, all individuals are required to have held a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED). A requisite subject for the career is good performance in mathematics, since the electricians’ trade entails many calculations and resolution of mathematical problems (Michael, 47). Licensing is a requirement for a qualified electrician to indulge in this trade. Before one is licensed, he must pass an examination set on electrical theory as well as other major fundamentals of the trade such as the National electrical as well as the building and electric codes. On passing such examinations, then an individual is licensed to practice on this trade. However, Electricians are supposed to undertake periodic courses from their unions or employers to keep them abreast with the changes in the National electrical codes (Roger, 11). Electricians who want to practice in the public domain require a special licensing on top of the normal one, requiring a higher qualification than the rest. Such qualifications may range from a desired 7-8 years of experience to a bachelors degree in electrical engineering. The Electricians’ career is preferable since the prospects for the trade is great. As the advancement in technology keeps coming by the day, so do the prospects of the trade grow, in that, technology comes with innovation of new equipment, and devices, which require installation, wiring, repair, and maintenance (Andrew, 42). I chose the career since the chances of competition in the career are diminishing with the increasing trend of individuals’ preference of white-collar jobs that are less demanding, as opposed to this career that entails physical labor. The future holds excellent opportunities for this career, in that as population grows, and the economy advances, the construction of buildings and installation of electrical gadgets will keep increasing. Thus, job opportunities for this trade will increase in the future. Additionally, the prospects of this trade are higher in terms of opportunities, in that, even when fewer constructions are taking place, maintenance and repair work for equipment and devices never comes to a standstill. Therefore, there shall always be opportunities for the individuals involved in this career (John, 120). The financial expectations of this career are excellent, in that as the economy grows and the population increases, the demand for electricians will grow. With an increased demand for the tradesmen, the financial prospects of the occupation are higher. Company name Job Name. Code Qualifications Job description salary Mason County ATC Electrical Technology Instructor 7595 Hold the Rank lll Kentucky teaching certificate in the subject. Hold a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility in the subject. Must have a current/​valid Masters Electrician License. Four years of appropriate work experience. Teaches occupational classes $99/hr Duke energy Interior Electrician 1502 High School Diploma. Must be between the ages of 17 and 35. Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards Must meet citizenship requirements. Install and wire electrical hardware like transformers, junction boxes, service panels, electrical boxes, switches, and circuit breakers. $45.00/hr Bowlin electric Industrial Electrician-Class C 50761 High School or equivalent diploma. 2+ to 5 Years of Experience Electrical maintenance and repair; test equipment; ensure a safe, clean environment; identify parts needed for repairs. $26.50/hr Works Cited Andrew, Nash. Electrical Engineering. Washington University review, 2008. 13-45. Print. John, Cadick. Electrical Safety Handbook Third Edition, Mc Graw Hill 2005. 116-120. Print. Mary, Sigler. Electricians’ career. US Department of Labor, 2000. pp. 339-367. Print. Michael, McCann, Why Are So Many Construction Workers Being Electrocuted? Bureau of Labor Statistics. 45-52. Print. Roger, Jones (2004). Electrician. Trotman Publishing. 10-23. Print. Read More