What makes a good electrical apprentice

Perhaps you have a natural inclination to fix things but do you have the skills needed to become an electrical technician? The U. Department of Labor expects the electrical technician field to grow by nine percent between now and with 59, new jobs in the field created by that time.

Although the titles are sometimes interchanged, electricians and electrical technicians have differing job duties. Electricians generally require only a high school degree, and possibly an apprenticeship. They are responsible for the design and maintenance of electrical systems in buildings. Electrical technicians, on the other hand, require a two-year degree and are highly specialized in the electrical equipment that they create, maintain and repair.

Electricians perform various hands-on tasks, such as electrical system repairs and wiring. Some of the most common duties include:. Your preference between an inside or residential electrician job could depend on whether you wish to work at one building as a company employee or work from place to place as a freelancer.

It might seem obvious, but not everyone has an innate sense of mechanics. On the other hand, if a simple do-it-yourself project leaves you frustrated, this might not be the right career path for you.

Being comfortable around electrical work and being confident in your own abilities is a must. Once the apprenticeship is over, you will be largely on your own to respond to issues and find their solution. Understanding an overall electrical problem and investigating ways to fix it is a critical component of this job.

Learning how to identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems is another vital skill for a successful career as an electrical technician. Many work orders are assigned to electricians through written communications, either on paper or through email. Interpreting these work orders and writing a summary of your own work are important components to ensure job details are followed properly and so other electricians can understand your methods should they work on the project after you.

Since many electrical technicians go on to become independent contractors, business skills are something you can acquire over the years. Demand has never been higher for apprenticeship places as more and more people decide that university education isn't for them whilst realising the benefits of working in the skilled trades.

However, in reality many electricians are not keen on taking on an apprentice. These are taken directly from electricians themselves and give you an understanding of the perception of apprentices by employers:.

If you are already training with us be sure to take on board this advice. Categories: Apprenticeship. We have received your enquiry successfully and one of our team members will get back to you shortly. We use cookies to deliver the best experience possible as described in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. Close this box to accept cookies whilst browsing our site. Problem-solving skills Arguably one of the most important skills an electrician must possess is problem-solving.

Soft skills needed by electricians For the most part, the work carried out by electricians takes place in social environments. Working with others Whilst working on the job, electricians will need to work with a whole range of people such as homeowners, project managers and estimators. Time management Whilst nearly every job requires you to have some understanding of time management, this becomes even more relevant for an electrician — especially when working as a larger part of a team.

Communication skills Communication skills are very important as a certified electrician. Honesty Simply put, honesty means communicating the challenges being faced and then working to resolve those challenges. Patience Patience is a key element of success in the workplace. You have selected: , at. Electricians perform a wide variety of tasks on a day to day and job by job basis. When hiring an electrician, it is understandable to be focused on finding someone licensed with the proper training.

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