If the current job market feels daunting and you are hoping to step into a new, hands-on career, then becoming an electrician might be your best path forward. But what does it really take to become an electrician?  

I got the chance to chat with a few folks in the electrical industry, each at different stages in their career, all to gain insight into the journey of becoming an electrician. Each of these conversations is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom for anyone just dipping their toes into the industry and might even be valuable for those of you who are waist-deep in this business too. 

Q: What inspired you to become an electrician? 

Alex Demski—Current Apprentice in his 3rd year: The job security. With AI getting so big in a lot of corporate and technical positions, I wanted to invest in my future by choosing a career that won’t be replaced by robots. At least not anytime soon. 

Mitchel Trev—Former Apprentice, now Journeyman in Delaware: Honestly? I was working a few dead-end jobs and needed a career change after my daughter was born. I heard good things about being a part of a union so while I was working as a gas station attendant, I went to night school to get started in the trades.  

Fred Morris—Electrical Project Inspector in Virginia: My dad was an electrical engineer, and his dad before him was in a plumber's union. I think I just took after them, but I don’t regret it.  

Q: What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned during your apprenticeship? 

Alex: I don’t know that there’s one specific thing that’s most important, but I would say that the sheer amount of problem-solving I’ve learned has been the best part of this. I thought it would be mostly about following instructions, but a lot of it is figuring out how to make things work with the materials and conditions you have. 

Mitchel: This might seem like a cop out because it’s not exclusive to electrical work, but just realizing that I’m not as smart as I thought I was. That was really important to learn because I went into my apprenticeship with a huge ego—thought that I was better than everyone else. I got humbled really quickly.  

Fred: It gets tedious when there are a bunch of new code updates, but honestly, learning to keep up with the NEC was the most valuable thing I learned.  

Q: Can you describe a typical day in your job, and how it varies from one project to another? 

Alex: No day is the same for me right now. I follow my Journeyman where he goes, and I work alongside him. Sometimes that looks like being up and at a jobsite at 6AM, other times it means starting at 4PM. I think that’s why I like what I do. There’s a lot of variety. 

Mitchel: At the moment, I’m working for a residential employer that sends me out for small domestic jobs. My standard day includes 2-3 jobs that I drive to, and I typically work on my own. Stuff like appliance repair or simple installations are the most common. 

Fred: I work for Manassas County, and I typically oversee the inspections of new construction. I check and make sure that everything being installed meets the standards of the NEC. It’s a lot of telling people “No, you can’t install a sauna in your backyard with your current set up” or whatever they’re trying to do. Not a lot of folks are happy to see me. 

Q: How did you get started in the industry? 

Alex: Right out of high school in 2020, I started with an online trade school. It was hard to get an apprenticeship because of Covid restrictions but in 2021, after about a year of school, I applied for an IBEW union apprenticeship and was accepted a few weeks after.  

Mitchel: I took night classes to get a head start and then applied for my Local’s apprenticeship program. My county is pretty big and well-funded, so it didn’t take long for me to find someone who was willing to mentor me.  

Fred: My dad brought me along on some of his jobs when I was on summer break as a kid. I was his apprentice first and learned a lot from those days. Back then, blue collar work was less regulated. I watched a lot of good men get hurt doing sh*t they shouldn’t have been doing, so I wanted to do something about that–Oh, sorry. Can I say “sh*t”? Is that allowed? 

Q: What would you say to young people who are looking to get into the trade? 

Alex: I think I’m too new to have any real advice. Study hard and do your homework, I guess. Maybe ask me again in 10 years. 

Mitchel: Personally, I would have started sooner. I wish I had cut the job hopping in my twenties and settled into this career before I had. So, if you’re thinking about going into the trade but you aren’t sure about it, just do it.  

Fred: Get a good set of starter tools. Don’t cheap out on them. They should last you a good long while. Listen to your mentor and don’t whine about your back hurting until you’re in your 40’s unless you want a bunch of old men to yell at you. Oh, and pack your own lunches because I went about broke and up 30lbs in my twenties getting Burger King every day.  

Learning Where to Begin 

All three of the men that I interviewed had their own unique experiences on their journey to becoming an electrician. With all the different routes available to you, it can be hard to navigate. Let’s break down some of the most common paths—how do an IBEW apprenticeship, a trade school, and a non-union apprenticeship stack up against each other. 

IBEW Apprenticeship: An International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction, typically lasting 4-5 years. This path offers structured, rigorous training and often includes benefits like health insurance and a pension. Going down this road can help you gain access to a larger network of industry professionals out of the gate. The IBEW’s programs are highly respected and can lead to well-defined career advancement opportunities and standard wage payments.  

Trade School: Trade schools offer focused, intensive training in electrical work over a shorter period, often 6 months to 2 years. This route emphasizes hands-on skills and technical knowledge but doesn’t always include job placement assistance. You might need to find your own apprenticeships or entry-level positions, as many trade schools usually don’t offer the same level of benefits or long-term career support as union programs. 

Non-Union Apprenticeship: Non-union apprenticeships also provide a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning. The structure can vary widely between employers. Non-union apprenticeships might offer more flexibility in terms of curriculum and job placement but may lack the benefits and standardized wage scales found in union programs. Career advancement can be less predictable without a formal union network. 

Each path has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your career goals, preferred training style, and desired benefits. 

The First Year of Apprenticeship/Training  

Starting an apprenticeship as an electrician is like joining electrical bootcamp. These are usually set up by professional organizations and they blend work and learning while on the job site. To complete an apprenticeship, you’ll need a mix of classroom time and hands-on experience—how much of each depends on what you’re specializing in. 

Typically, apprenticeships span 4 to 5 years. You’ve got two main ways to get started: 

• Apply directly to a professional organization and hope for acceptance. 

• Enroll in an electrician school where you’ll get both classroom and hands-on training. From there, you can apply for an apprenticeship. 

Your first year is all about getting grounded—literally and figuratively. You can’t expect to start your time as an apprentice knowing absolutely everything and being perfect, so keep yourself grounded in the reality that this is hard work. Expect to spend a lot of your time shadowing experienced electricians. You’ll learn the ropes by observing, fetching tools, and maybe even doing a bit of grunt work. It might feel like a useless runaround, but this is generally just a period of soaking up knowledge and getting used to the rhythm of the job. 

Throughout your first year, you should learn the basics, such as: 

• Tool Familiarization: You’ll be introduced to an array of tools, from wire strippers to multimeters. You might not be using them all at first, but knowing their names and functions is crucial. 

• Safety Training: Understanding safety protocols is critical. Electrical work is inherently risky and learning about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and safe practices is non-negotiable. 

• Basic Electrical Theory: You’ll start to grasp fundamental concepts like Ohm’s Law, circuit theory, and electrical codes. It’s like learning a new language, but instead of Spanish, you’re speaking ‘voltage’ and ‘ampere.’ 

Hands-On Learning

In the second and third years, you’ll likely be more involved in actual electrical work. You’ll still be supervised, but you’ll start taking on more responsibilities and tasks. This phase is where theory meets practice, and the learning curve can be steep but rewarding. While not terribly different from the first year, the workload might pile on more aggressively. 

While chatting with Alex Demski, a student in the third year of his IBEW apprenticeship, I learned a lot about the ins and outs of his day-to-day workload.  

“So far, I really enjoy the trade itself and how much there is to learn,” Alex said. “It has been rewarding but it wasn’t always easy. In the beginning, I always felt like I was on thin ice around my journeyman. I felt like I was either not fast enough or so fast they thought I rushed my work. I was badgered for not asking enough questions and then patronized for asking too many questions. I had to learn to just do what I was there to do—learn and work.”  

Alex explained that his whole experience in his apprenticeship changed when he was in his second year and started to become more independent.  

“I just had to stop giving a sh*t,” he laughed. “This is my apprenticeship, and it’s supposed to be setting me up for a successful career. I stopped caring if my journeyman thought that my question was stupid—I needed the answer to become a better worker. I found more opportunities to take on tasks on my own when I could.” 

Nearing his final year in his chosen program, Alex gave me a breakdown of some of the things that he learned as he progressed through his apprenticeship, including: 

• Wiring and Installation: You’ll start wiring outlets, switches, and fixtures. The satisfaction of seeing your work light up for the first time is unparalleled. 

• Troubleshooting: This is where you’ll encounter your fair share of challenges. Whether it’s a faulty circuit or a mysterious power outage, you’ll learn the art of diagnosing and fixing issues. 

• Customer Interaction: Depending on your employer, you might start interacting with clients. Good communication skills are essential, as you’ll need to explain technical issues in layman’s terms. 

Graduation

The last year or two of your apprenticeship is where you start to transition from a learner to a practitioner. You’ll be handling more complex projects, working with less supervision, and preparing for your licensing exams. 

• Advanced Techniques: You’ll dive into more intricate systems, such as home automation and complex commercial wiring. 

• Leadership Skills: You may start to mentor new apprentices, offering guidance and sharing your experiences. 

• Exam Preparation: You’ll be gearing up for your final exams to become a licensed electrician. This is the culmination of years of hard work and learning. 

Wrapping It Up 

The journey through an electrician apprenticeship is a blend of learning, working hard, and a few surprising turns along the way. It’s a rewarding path for those who are ready to tackle the challenges and embrace the learning process. Whether you’re climbing ladders, troubleshooting circuits, or sharing a laugh with a co-worker, the experience is as electrifying as the job itself.