As with many occupational trade careers, electrical technicians are always in demand. With proper training and supervised work as an electrical apprentice under a master electrician, you can be well on your way to a vocation you can be proud of.
Electrical technicians can find lucrative jobs in new installations, design, maintenance, and repair work be it in residential housing, commercial business, manufacturing, or even agriculture. Which direction you want to take your education and training is totally up to you. Let’s take a look at what it’s like to be an electrician in Texas.
Required Experience for Electrical Technicians
Because of the importance, as well as the hazards of working with electricity, upon completion of coursework, those new to the field will need to apprentice under a master electrician. Texas requires a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised training and the passing of an exam to become a residential wireman.
The state requires 8,000 hours of work under a master electrician to apply for a journeyman license. You must have had your journeyman’s license and a total of 12,000 hours working under a master electrician to apply for your master electrician license.
Entry-Level Electrical Careers
There are as many entry-level electrical careers as there are types of electricians. Electrical technicians should know their job can be physically demanding. It can also be dangerous, if not done correctly. Proper training is key and that starts with a working knowledge that you can learn through the Southern Careers Institute. Some technicians choose to go into business for themselves, while others enjoy the steady income from work through employment with electrical companies, contractors, and so forth.
While traditional schooling is not mandatory to become an electrical technician, what you will learn through your education can jump start your career. You will have a much higher chance of obtaining a mid-level position, while building up your hours for certification.
Through SCI courses, you will train on the basics of installation, operation, and maintenance and repairs of electrical wiring and electronics. You will also train on what you need to know about electrical panels and their distribution, wiring, power transmissions, and more. Of the utmost importance is learning safety skills invaluable in the trade. Lastly, you will train on paperwork, inspections, regulations, and how to determine estimates.
By completing the coursework and apprenticing under a master electrician for 1,000 hours, you will be ready and qualified for an entry-level career in most electrical fields.
To keep current on licensing and all things electrical in the state, refer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website.
What Electrical Technician Career Pathways Are There?
There are a variety of different types of electrical technician jobs. These include but are not limited to:
- Residential Electric Installers
- Industrial Installation Electricians
- Maintenance Electricians
- Instrumental Electricians
- Panel Builders
- Automotive Electricians
- Sign Specialist Electricians
- Appliance Installation Contractors
How to be a Successful Electrical Technician
Getting a good start will advance you into a good platform for electrical technician job growth. As you learn, you will be better prepared to decide which electrical engineering career path interests you the most. From there you can work on your success in the field.
If you have an interest in general electrical work, whether residential or commercial, you will start out as an apprentice. By working your way up to earning your master electrician license you’ll be on your way to earning that top master electrician position.
Want to work toward a more specialized path? Sign specialists work on a variety of signage from electronic billboards along the highway to scoreboards at high school, college, or professional venues.
No matter what arena, one of the most important keys to your success will be to follow the safety training you learn. Whether you install security systems or repair old electrical lines in older homes or buildings, you need to work safely with all of your electrical tools and equipment ensuring each job is done 100% right. That will make you a successful electrician.
The Future of Electrical Technicians
For electrical technicians, the future is bright. Through your education with Southern Careers Institute’s Electrical Program, you will have an advantage in finding and starting your apprenticeship. Our program is offered through our Waco, San Antonio-North, and Brownsville campuses.
For 2020, why not start your own transformation and begin a new you? Contact our team at Southern Careers Institute to find your future possibilities.
