Becoming an electrician is a great way to enter a stable career. Large scale businesses keep electricians onsite and people are always hiring electricians to fix electrical outlets or install electrical conduits, among other jobs that an electrician performs. Electricians also work on construction sites. Like anything else, becoming an electrician requires training and hard work. To find out how to be an electrician's apprentice, read on and you'll be on your way.

Before becoming an apprentice, some people choose to enroll in a local community college or vocational school and begin doing coursework related to becoming an electrician. Everyone looking to become an electrician must complete certain coursework. Additionally, other people might work as an electrician's assistant before entering an apprenticeship program. That way, they gain insight into what the job entrails and are better prepared when they do become an apprentice.

Once you are ready to become an electrician's apprentice, there are many organizations you can contact to apply and enroll (and if you are attending college, you may be able to find assistance through an instructor or advisor). Electricians generally join unions; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association are the two most well-known unions that sponsor apprenticeship programs. However, you could also contact independent electrical contractors as well as chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association. Any of these groups can inform you in great detail of what is needed to start work as an apprentice.

Once you are an apprentice, prepare to make a commitment. You won't become a full-fledged electrician overnight, and it will take years before you are making a competitive salary. Most apprenticeships last around four years, and remember that you will need to be taking coursework along with learning the physical aspects of the trade. The classes will be interesting, though; you'll brush up on your math skills, learn about specific theory relating to an electrician's work, learn how to decipher and draw up blue prints, you'll memorize code restrictions, become familiar with safety precautions, and more. You might also gain knowledge of fire alarm systems, and how to install electrical work in an elevator, as just a few examples of more hands-on classroom training.

When you do get out in the field, you will be supervised by electricians with life-long experience. This is a great bonus, as people in other fields do not necessarily receive this type of mentoring. Some of the tasks you will perform at first might seem basic; you'll lay out conduit and drill holes, or maybe you will set anchors. However, within a few months, you'll get to actually install conduit and also connect wiring to outlets and then test them to ensure the wiring is installed correctly.

Overall, for each year you are an apprentice, you should expect to perform 2000 hours of work and spend around 150 hours on coursework. When you complete your apprenticeship, you can apply for a state license, which will make you more employable. Electricians generally do not have a hard time finding and keeping work, so it's an ideal career to enter into.