How to become an electrician...

[SockHaser]

So I'm thinking of trying to go into an electrician field, does anyone know how to go about it and the best processes? I am in CC right now, but going for a degree just doesn't seems that appealing atm, its a lot of work for a piece of paper that doesn't secure you any kind of job. Plus, leaving with tons of debt would suck too. It is really hard to think about what I want to do for a career Does anyone have any advice they would be willing to share?

 

[Farang]

It depends on where you live. Here in Seattle, there are apprenticeships through the union. You apply, take a test, and are entered into a sort of pool where contractors draw from when work is available. Your progress is then determined by hours worked, if work is available consistently in 5 years you reach journeyman level and wage (here ~$36/hour). Until then, you still make a decent wage, a percentage of journeyman's wage that increases as your hours build. During this process you are also taking a few CC courses per year on the side.

My advice would be to check with your local electrician's union. They will likely have detailed info for you.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Look up the IBEW branch in your area. They can tell you what you need to do.

 

[Rifter]

Just make sure whoever you are working for is actually certified. Demand to see certification and call up local unions and verify status. A friend of mine just worked at a shop for 5 years as a apprentice mechanic and then when his time was up he went to the owner to get the papers signed to become a accredited mechanic and found out the owner was not actually certified and could not sign the papwers and he had just wasted 5 years of his life for nothing. He now works construction for less than he was making as a apprenice mechanic.

 

[DougoMan]

basically you need a hookup

 

[edro]

Electricians make $36/hour, plus benefits and paid overtime, with no degree required? Damn!
What's the point in becoming an engineer?

 

[sdifox]

Electricians make $36/hour, plus benefits and paid overtime, with no degree required? Damn!
What's the point in becoming an engineer?

It's all about aptitude. Not everyone will enjoy working as an electrician. Same as not everyone will enjoy being an engineer.

 

[DaTT]

Just make sure whoever you are working for is actually certified. Demand to see certification and call up local unions and verify status. A friend of mine just worked at a shop for 5 years as a apprentice mechanic and then when his time was up he went to the owner to get the papers signed to become a accredited mechanic and found out the owner was not actually certified and could not sign the papwers and he had just wasted 5 years of his life for nothing. He now works construction for less than he was making as a apprenice mechanic.

Pretty sure that type of thing can be debated.

 

[JimW1949]

From what I understand, being an electrician is a good field to be in, but it takes quite awhile to become a licensed electrician. Also, being an electrician can potentially be a rather dangerous occupation.

I have a friend who is an electrician and he says that when he works on new construction it is really great. When he has to add an outlet, or a light, or whatever, in a home that is already built, it can be a giant pain in the neck. This normally requires you to fish wires thru walls, or crawl into attics to run wires, things of that nature. Whenever you do things like that, it can be a real challenge. Now he works mostly on commercial jobs, like doing the wiring for overhead cranes, lighting in large buildings, stuff like that. He says commercial work pays better than regular work in homes, but it is also more dangerous because you are working with higher voltages and you are also working up in the air.

 

[sonambulo]

It's all about aptitude. Not everyone will enjoy working as an electrician. Same as not everyone will enjoy being an engineer.

Not to mention that work comes in cycles (long as they may be), you have to work in the elements, keep your OWN transportation and tools in top shape, deal with annoying homeowners, etc. It's not all ice cream and sunshine but it's one of the better, and more stable, trades.

 

[Bignate603]

Electricians make $36/hour, plus benefits and paid overtime, with no degree required? Damn!
What's the point in becoming an engineer?

My father in law is a union electrician. I wouldn't trade my engineering job for his job.
1. Depending on the area the amount of pay varies, not all of them pay $36 an hour
2. He's gone >6 months between jobs. You've got to save up money to last between jobs. That 36/hour doesn't look so great when you take into account the amount of time you're not working.
3. The jobs are rarely near your home. He considers his current job "close" and it takes about 2 hours to drive each way. When you're doing 10+ hours a day then have 4 hours of daily commuting that doesn't leave much time for enjoying yourself.
4. Because many jobs are so far away you end up paying huge amounts of gas, the wear and tear on your vehicle, or in many cases you'll pay for a hotel room. That comes out of your pay and while much of it is tax deductible it still lowers the amount of money you're taking home.
5. You buy your tools. They don't come cheap.
6. You don't get to choose when you do overtime. Often, it's pretty much mandatory. 10+ hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week for weeks on end.

It's a tough field. You can make an OK living off it but my desk job, normal hours and dependable paycheck is a far far easier way to go.

 

[Iron Woode]

I went to school for this.

I had to start by taking a 2 year course at a local high school for the basics. First year was for basic electrical and residential wiring, electric motors (AC/DC) and controllers. Second year was basic electronics and commercial electrical, 3 phase ac and controllers. We learned PLCs, conduit threading, tools and meters.

I received my certificate as an Electrical Technologist after completing the courses.

Apprenticeship here consists of five 1 year terms with a licensed Electrician or company. You start at 50% journeyman's wage and go up 10% every year after completing a test.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Get yourself a Kegorator, do some testing, find a safe way to use the device with an extension cord, market your idea, profit, EMPIRE! Come back to your old CC after 20 years, build them a new gym, attend a parade, cut a ribbon, get an honorary doctorate, go on a whirlwind book signing tour, cap it off with a visit to the Whitehouse, and really stick to those cretins down at the local 212 who told you you were too short, too fat, too lazy, too stupid, too weak, too nerdy, kind of a homo, and never gave you a chance.

 

[SockHaser]

Hmmm...thanks for all the advice.

I just have no idea what I want to go into

 

[Iron Woode]

Hmmm...thanks for all the advice.

I just have no idea what I want to go into

find something you enjoy doing with a passion and go into that.

better to have a career you like than something that stresses you out because you hate your job.

 

[edro]

find something you enjoy doing with a passion and go into that.
better to have a career you like than something that stresses you out because you hate your job.

I tried that. I loved computers and quickly learned to hate IT.
It's also important to separate your hobbies and your career.

 

[BoomerD]

find something you enjoy doing with a passion and go into that.

better to have a career you like than something that stresses you out because you hate your job.

Unfortunately, MOST people will never find the passion that pays the bills...so, you have to settle for a career/job that you can stand doing day in/day out.

I don't know where the OP lives, so I can't link to his local apprenticeship council...but in MOST parts of the USA, a union apprenticeship is the key to learning the construction trades and making a good wage for your labor.

 

[Gibson486]

My father in law is a union electrician. I wouldn't trade my engineering job for his job.
1. Depending on the area the amount of pay varies, not all of them pay $36 an hour
2. He's gone >6 months between jobs. You've got to save up money to last between jobs. That 36/hour doesn't look so great when you take into account the amount of time you're not working.
3. The jobs are rarely near your home. He considers his current job "close" and it takes about 2 hours to drive each way. When you're doing 10+ hours a day then have 4 hours of daily commuting that doesn't leave much time for enjoying yourself.
4. Because many jobs are so far away you end up paying huge amounts of gas, the wear and tear on your vehicle, or in many cases you'll pay for a hotel room. That comes out of your pay and while much of it is tax deductible it still lowers the amount of money you're taking home.
5. You buy your tools. They don't come cheap.
6. You don't get to choose when you do overtime. Often, it's pretty much mandatory. 10+ hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week for weeks on end.

It's a tough field. You can make an OK living off it but my desk job, normal hours and dependable paycheck is a far far easier way to go.

all this is true.

I dealt with electricians in my last job. It's a battle field.

One of the biggest differences between an electrician and an electrical engineer is this:

The engineer calls the shots. Unless the client thinks the engineer is an idiot, he/she will most likely side with the engineer on issues. Also, engineers are not dumb. They know the designs are not error free. It would be impossible to do. When you look at engineering documents and specs, there are always weasels words to ensure that that if a mastake is found, then the contractor has to fix it, not the engineer.

The biggest thing is that when the construction budget is done, it's done. Atleast with engineering budgets, they are always way to recap losses since things are done is phases (pre-design, design, pre-construction, contruction, post contruction). With construction, when money is out, people are left working for free unless they can get some change order and engineers hate change orders.

 

[Rifter]

Pretty sure that type of thing can be debated.

He tried to fight it with the goverment and unions and they agreed to count half his time only since there was not a single certified mechanic at the shop during those 5 years. He told them to fuck off he wasted enough of his life already and didnt want to put in another 2.5 years to get something he should already have and left the industry, i dont blame him i would have done the same.