A career as an electrical contractor requires some education and a lot of experienced along side a seasoned professional!
Becoming an electrical contractor takes years of experience alongside an experienced electrician as well as some education. As a professional,
the electrician fulfills many responsibilities. He installs new systems, maintains and repairs individual problems, and occasionally replaces wires and appliances when they malfunction.
Educational Requirements for the Qualified Electrician
An electrical contractor doesn't require a college education, but it does require the completion on a high school diploma along with some education from a technical school or community college. You'll also need to spend a good amount of training time with an experienced electrician.
Apprenticeship Requirements for the Qualified Electrician
The majority of an electrician's training is obtained on the field with an experienced and qualified electrician who has already been successful in his own business. Aspiring electricians can join apprenticeships through local electricians' unions or brotherhood, or they can contact an independent electrician about a possible internship. The Bureau of Labor Statistics averages that the average electrical contractor obtains about 2,000 hours of practical on-site training along with 144 hours of classroom study.
Licensing Requirements for the Qualified Electrician
Once education and apprenticeship requirements have been completed, the student can work on becoming a licensed professional. The electrician will begin gaining even more experience as he begins to work in both industrial and commercial settings. Before he can obtain a license, he must also have liability insurance that covers a certain amount mandated by the state in which he plans to work.
Possible Business Education
If the electrical contractor wishes to begin his own business in the industry, he will probably want to gain some business education. Courses or a degree in business management will be helpful. He may also choose to take some construction management courses which will enable him to become an overseeing contractor for some jobs.
The Responsibilities of an Electrical Contractor
An electrician is a necessary part of any construction crew. Whether a new home is being built or a skyscraper office building, electrical wires, outlets, lighting and other appliances will need to be installed. During the building phase, the electrician is the one to install the wiring, lighting and outlets based on the blueprint he is provided. He'll also label the breaker box so the building owner knows part of the building each breaker affects. Once everything is installed, he'll test the wiring to be sure it's all working smoothly and safely.
The electrician will also be on call for any problems that may develop in the electrical systems in a house or place of business. There are many possible problems that can occur. The electrician will communicate with the homeowner or business manager to figure out what's going on, then diagnose and solve the problem as soon as possible.
Occasionally, a house will be remodeled or repaired after fire or water damage and an electrician will be needed to do some rewiring throughout the house. During remodeling projects, extra outlets may be added or new lighting fixtures. Whether new work needs to be done, old work needs to be redone, or current work needs to be repaired, the electrician plays an important role.
