Electrician Trade School?
So after rethinking my life and talking to a few people in the business, I decided I wanted to go into trades. Originally carpentry is what I wanted to do but most people had nothing good to say, so Electrician was my second option which seems like a much more stable career. However, after doing some research, I am still confused about how apprentices work. I see that there are unions in the are that have 5 year apprentice programs, then I would become a journeyman. However, the local community college has a two year program as well. I have looked at jobs in my area and that would suffice as qualifications. So would I only become a maintenance worker going that route or could I become a journeyman. I am kinda confused. Thanks for your help
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My understanding is you would be going to community at the same time you are a journeyman/apprenticeship. Another route you could go would be to sign up as an electrician in the military. It is usually a 6 year commitment, but you’d get a good job afterward if you chose to leave after the 6 years. Being an electrician is an honorable trade. I’d pursue it.
This government site has more general career info, which includes re: apprenticeships:
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2013/summer/art0...
For more general career info:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh and can search "electricians" or such.
This website has U.S. community colleges:
https://www.aacc.nche.edu/college-finder
A 2 year college at a minimum, there's lots the 5 year journeyman program would miss when it comes to knowing circuits and formulas.
I have never taken these courses, but I have spoken to organizations that provide the internships. You would be paid a lower rate during your apprenticeship, then your wage rises when you become a journeyman. I don't know what kind of course your community college is offering or what kind of degree / certificate you would receive.
I think that if you became a maintenance worker, then you would be working in schools, office buildings, factories, churches, and retail stores. There would be a variety of building systems to maintain and repair, including heating, air conditioning, sewers, windows, leaking roofs, and plumbing. With time, you could own your own business, but would likely start out working for someone else.
If you became an electrician, then you could either work on new construction, renovations, residential and commercial electrical repairs, and helping people to install new lights, switches and outlets, or helping to wire in new systems that someone has purchased. You could own your own business or work for someone else.
Ask your community college what the average income is for a maintenance worker and do the same for the electricians once you reach the journeyman level. I think that both careers are good options. There is often a wait to become an electrician's apprentice, or at least there used to be a wait where I live.
you might not find a school just for electricity it might be included in a general trade school but that is the way to get your self trained
Either you want a job or not. You are not going to start off at the top. Get your trade education in a community college, then complete apprenticeship and journeyman. You'll have the potential of earning good money in a union protected field. Be smart with your money and you'll retire well.