-----

Start your educational pursuit today...

Home >> Degrees >> Vocational & Career Training >> Electronics

Electrical Industry Overview and Career Opportunities

The work of electricians is to assess, test, connect, maintain and repair systems that use electronics in both residences and commercial structures. They also may maintain and install the electronic controls for machines in business and industry.The actual work electricians perform depends on what their specialty is. Electricians usually specialize in construction or maintenance work, although an increasing number do both. Workers might also work in a consulting capacity and make recommendations regarding the type of system a company might want to install and whether they should update their systems to increase efficiency or safety.Blueprints, or specifications for residences, hospitals, schools and other various structures, show where power outlets, panel boards and load centers need to be.Electricians first read these specifications before installing the electrical systems. The local government, state government and the National Electric Code set forth a number of guidelines that electricians must be completely knowledgeable about and adhere to.Electricians work with a number of different tools to perform their daily tasks, such as ohmmeters, oscilloscopes and voltmeters.

Required Skills, Training and Qualifications

The majority of electricians learn their trade via various apprenticeship programs.These programs generally combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.Hands on training may include training in heating and lighting practices; conduit fittings and supports; residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installation; and conductor properties and characteristics.Instructional courses may focus on principles of electronics and electrical systems, wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards. There also may be required classes in mathematics, blueprint reading, overview of electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid practices.Specialized training in soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators and cranes may be incorporated into the curriculum.Applicants for apprenticeship programs usually have to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma, or GED.The programs tend to last approximately 4 years and include 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Some electricians are required to be licensed. Although licensing requirements vary in different areas, electricians usually must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and local electric and building codes.

Electrical Industry Job Opportunity Outlook

As the population and economy continues to grow, more electricians will be in demand and needed to install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes, factories, offices, etc. New technologies also are expected to continue to quicken the demand for these workers. Also, the increasing commonness of robots in factories and other automated manufacturing systems will require the installation and maintenance of more complex wiring systems. Additional jobs will also be created as a result of older structures being reformed and retrofitted, which usually requires that they be brought up to meet existing electrical codes and standards. The work of maintenance electricians should be more stable than construction electricians, since maintenance work must continue even when there is little or no new construction. Also, because training for this job can be lengthy, fewer young workers have been entering this field in recent years and in coming years many employers expect a shortage of qualified electricians.