Since the discovery of electricity decades ago, it has been widely accepted that one cannot survive without it. Just a power outage of two hours will make you realise how much we are dependent on it. Here are the basic things electricians should know in order to succeed in their life.
Therefore, what does this mean for an electrician? In essence, it’s a lifetime of opportunities wrapped up in a package of unwavering job security. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that an electrician is better equipped than anyone else to complete the task at hand.
As our reliance on electricity grows, so does the value of electricians. Dealing with electricity is quite ‘shocking’ literally! This is why the tasks they do are most likely done by them only. Hence, there are things an electrician apprentice should know before diving into the field.
If you are an enthusiast who wishes to follow this profession, you need not be scared. It’s an exciting, adventurous journey filled with skills to learn every single day until the very end. However, here’s everything you need to know about how to become a successful electrician.
How to prepare yourself for an electrical career
If you are reading this, you are already someone who values problem-solving abilities and anything involving wires. But here are the basic things electricians should know prior to finalising any decision.
1). Research: It is very essential for aspiring electricians to explore the electrical industry. This will enable you to carefully choose a skill that complements your personality and will help you succeed in the field. For instance, you can choose to specialise in residential, commercial, maintenance, automotive, marine, or even electrical work in construction.
2). Pre apprenticeship: An important aspect to look out for. The objective is to develop a basic understanding of the career path you would want to choose. You will learn about electrical theory, workplace safety, and other subjects to help you stand out from the competition.
3). Apply for an apprenticeship: You will be able to get on-the-job training as an electrician and also earn.
You should pass an aptitude test and a drug test. You must also demonstrate a certain level of mechanical aptitude before you are chosen.
4). Apprenticeship: As previously mentioned, it will include on-the-job training along with a compensation package. Basic things electricians should know about this category:
- The apprenticeship is nearly 3 to 4 years of dedication.
- Initially, only the fundamental tasks will be assigned. such as preparing the location, arranging the equipment, and handling office tasks.
- Your initial training will be placed at clients’ homes, places of business, and construction sites.
- You will learn skills about fire alarm systems, soldering, electrical code requirements, blueprint reading, and problem-solving skills during the apprenticeship.
- You will roughly earn $61,083 annually during this programme.
- By the time this is over, you will be fully ready to go into the field independently.
- You will earn a much higher income in the near future as a specialist in your field after completing your apprenticeship.
5). Licence: Register yourself and get a licence that is certified in your state. Even though it is not required, being a certified electrician comes with a number of benefits. You must succeed in the exam in order to obtain this. The test will evaluate your knowledge of electrical principles, safety procedures, as well as regional laws and building codes.
These above mentioned academic paths of success will enhance your technical skills, also known as “hard skills.” Examples of the technical abilities needed by electricians include the following:
- Ability to use and maintain tools
- Examining equipment, instruments, and systems
- Repairing any type of wiring system
- Knowledge to install electrical conduits, cables, and tubing.
- Installing and maintaining electrical devices, systems, and equipment.
- You also need to know math to be an electrician
However, excluding the hard skills, there are other basic skills that electricians should know. Listed below are a few skills that you can put into practice in order to have a successful, financially independent career.
Business management skills
Don’t get scared; this required skill will only benefit you in the long run. If you have managerial skills, then you can perform administrative tasks. Both at a company you work for or a business, you wish to operate in the future. Developing these skills will come in handy.
Examples of business management abilities that electricians can use include:
- Developing project plans and budgets
- Foreseeing cost projections
- Time management
- Negotiation skills
- Inventory tracking and management
- Creating invoices
- Supervising and leading employees
Problem-solving skills
You will have a hundred different problems from all of your clients as an electrician, possibly all at once. Mastering the skill of problem-solving can be beneficial at all times. If done correctly, crisis and emergency situations can be dealt with ease.
In order to solve problems effectively, an electrician needs to possess a variety of skills.Here is a list of basic things electricians should know:
- Keeping up with new technologies and innovations
- Identifying electrical system failures and malfunctions
- Conducting electrical risk analyses
- Evaluating electrical processes and practises
- Pursuing education and training in new technologies
- Troubleshooting
- Decision making amidst chaos
Physical skills
Employers value applicants with general good health, knowledge in PPE, work place safety and specific physical abilities because the work of an electrician can be physically demanding.Physical attributes like strength, stamina, agility and many others are therefore necessary to complete tasks without putting yourself in danger.
So why do you need these physical skills?
- To lift and carry heavy objects.
- Ability to distinguish between different colours for wiring tasks.
- Being able to conduct work from a height.
- Stamina to stand, couch or bend for long hours.
- Manual agility for emergency situations.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills represent how you communicate with other people. While communication is necessary for every profession, it is especially crucial for electricians. This is due to the fact that you will have to interact with everyone, including CEOs, homeowners, and hardware store employees. After all, how you interact with others will determine your level of success.
Examples of interpersonal competencies and skills for electricians include:
- Active listening skills
- Collaborating with other electricians
- Complying with instructions from clients or supervisors
- Giving instructions to coworkers or subordinates
- Making recommendations
- Plan modifications based on client requests
- Written communication skills to draft diagrams or project records
- Displaying professionalism during communication
Now, let us discuss the advantages and disadvantages of becoming an electrician. It’s always a good idea to be fully informed of the challenges your career may bring. You can choose the direction you want to take with the help of these considerations. Here’s a list of basic things electricians should know:
Advantages of becoming an electrician
Here’s a list of basic things electricians should know
- You will never be unemployed: Electricians are needed in every nook and cranny. You won’t ever struggle to find work as an electrician. After an apprenticeship, you are considered an expert. Therefore, you can work at a commercial or industrial company or as your own entrepreneur.
- Get the salary you demand: Electricians are becoming scarcer day by day. This is because there is a rise in senior electricians retiring from the industry. Ultimately, this gap in the market has resulted in increased demand. Hence, depending on your expertise, you can charge your clients at whatever rate you prefer.
- Job satisfaction: Unlike a specific role with monotonous activities, electricians will have new challenges to solve and explore. If you are a curious person who loves to solve problems, then this is the perfect role for you.
- Change people’s lives: As an electrician, you will frequently be asked to help clients with their issues, even at inconvenient times. Even though it might sound irritating, you will love helping your clients at all times as this will give you satisfaction. You will eventually realise the beneficial effect your skills have on other people.
- A healthy life without student loan debt: You will be earning even during your apprenticeship programme. This income will offset any expenses that have to be spent on training or on other activities. Additionally, you will also be mentally and physically healthy based on the obvious job description.
Disadvantages of becoming an electrician
- Can be dangerous: Working as an electrician comes with several risks. Therefore, safety precautions should be carefully learned in order to prevent electrocution and other harmful situations.
- Can leave you with no off days: As mentioned previously, electricians might have to work at odd times, even on weekends. With time, people will tend to grow very dependent on you, making it difficult to maintain a work-life balance.
- Physically demanding: As people age, it gets harder to perform activities that were once simple. Thus, standing for extended periods of time, climbing heights, and performing other tasks (mentioned above) can be a challenge.
Is pursuing a career as an electrician the right choice for you?
How did you feel after reading this? Do you think you can take up the position of electrician? If so, you will be a significant part of an important sphere in the industry. Therefore, take the decision wisely by taking everything into consideration.
Becoming an electrician opens up a world of possibilities that can be extremely rewarding over the course of a lifetime. Even though there will be challenges, the skills you develop within yourself will surprise you at the right time.
Therefore, trust the process, trust your gut, and with a well-researched mind, go for your dreams. After all, the basic things electricians should know are not so hard!
If you aspire to become an electrician, nothing in the world can stop you from succeeding.
All the best!
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