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Electrician Apprenticeship: How to Become an Electrician

January 10, 2023 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

Electrician Apprenticeship: How to Become an Electrician

BECOMING AN ELECTRICIAN APPRENTICE IS ONE PATH TO BECOMING A COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN IN CALIFORNIA.

January 10, 2023

Potential students often ask us, “How do I become an electrician,” or, “I’ve heard that I need to get an electrician apprenticeship, but I don’t know what that is or where to start.”

You have a couple of different options if you’re looking to break into the electrical trade. To work in the state of California as an electrician—assuming you’re just starting out—you must become an apprentice or trainee with a federally or state-approved program.

Previously we’ve talked about how to become an electrician trainee, as well as passing California’s electrician examination to become a journeyman electrician. However, we haven’t discussed in detail the other option for complying with California’s regulations: becoming an electrician apprentice.

Electrician Apprenticeships — I-TAP students on their way to becoming electrician apprentices, and eventually journeymen electricians.

What is an electrician apprentice?

Like electrician trainees, apprentices are essentially entry-level electricians just starting the process of getting the experience and training they need to become journeymen electricians. Apprentices work in the field under the guidance of journeyman and master electricians.

Electrician apprentices start out doing very basic work. The assumption when you first work on a jobsite is that you don’t have much expertise, so don’t expect to be doing anything too fancy. You’ll likely start out digging holes or running a lot of electrical wire.

How do you get into an electrical apprenticeship?

To be eligible to become an apprentice, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be physically capable of doing the work of an electrician
Pass a color blindness test (this is because electricians must be able to distinguish between various colors of wiring)
Pass a drug test
Provide a DMV printout
Have 1 year of algebra or pass a math assessment test
Participate in an in-person interview

With some programs, you may be asked to pass a written aptitude test, but this isn’t always the case.

As should be clear from the above, being an electrician apprentice isn’t just a job description. You can’t just apply to any business to work as an apprentice. Apprenticeship programs are regulated by the state of California or the federal government. State and federal regulations require that apprenticeships be ‘work and learn’ type programs. You are paid for the time you work, but are also offered breaks during the year, during which you stop work to receive classroom training.

How long does it take to complete an electrical apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships typically require about 4 weeks of classroom training per year—the minimum amount of training required by law is 144 hours per year. Apprenticeship programs usually take 4 to 5 years to complete.

How much do you make as an electrician apprentice?

Pay scales for electrician apprentices vary depending on the organization or union managing your program. Starting pay during your first year as an apprentice may be as low as $12.50 per hour. After a couple years, you may make around $18 to $24 per hour.

However, working as an apprentice electrician comes with generous benefits, including medical insurance, coverage of training costs, and retirement plans.

Is becoming an apprentice the best way to become an electrician?

The answer to this question depends on your personal circumstances. If you need to make money now, and lack the means of paying for a trainee program, then becoming an apprentice is probably the least costly way of becoming an electrician.

However, it's not exactly accurate that apprenticeships allow you to get free training.

Why?

#1: As mentioned above, It takes several years, usually 4 to 5, in an apprenticeship program to learn the technical knowledge you need to become an electrician. This is why many prefer trainee programs, such as our 26-week trainee program. This gets all the required schooling out of the way up front, qualifying you to take the certification test. Once you pass the test, it’s just a matter of working the hours necessary to become a journeyman electrician.

Getting the book work out of the way and accruing hands-on experience in a trainee program gives you a leg up on other workers who are still working through their apprenticeships, and accruing knowledge you may have already learned.

That advantage means you may be able to get jobs with significantly better pay, earlier on. In other words, trainee programs cost more upfront, but open the door to much better pay, much sooner.

#2: You should also know that wages for apprentices are determined by the apprenticeship program attended, and regulated by state law. Remember, apprenticeship programs are paying the upfront cost of your education, and they want to get some of that money back by having control over what they pay you. Currently, the minimum wage allowed for first-year apprentices in Sacramento is $14.20, plus benefits. That works out to $29,536 per year, assuming you work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Raises occur on a pre-determined schedule, as they are defined by the apprenticeship program and/or state.

If you still have questions about becoming an electrician apprentice, or the merits of becoming an apprentice versus an electrician trainee, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer all your questions, so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

Here Are 3 Skills You Need to Be an Electrician

February 24, 2022 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

Here Are 3 Skills You Need to Be an Electrician

February 24, 2022

The electrical field is currently full of opportunities. The need for electricians is expected to grow by 9% of the next decade. Electricians earn among the highest annual salaries of all trade careers. And with an uptick in construction in some regions and new electric-based infrastructure expected soon, the career outlook is positive.

This is all great news if you are interested in becoming an electrician. But what does it really take to be an electrician? What skills do you need? And are these skills acquired through training and experience, or do you need these skills before you ever enroll in a training course?

Let’s look at 3 core skills that you need to be an electrician!

1: Technical skills make you a master at your craft.

Technical skills, or “hard skills” demonstrate that you have knowledge and ability. These skills can only be acquired through an electrical training course.

Just think about it: before you turn 16, you don’t know how to drive a car. How do you learn? Most people apply for their permit, practice behind the wheel with an adult, and take driving lessons with an instructor. Only after months of practice are you eligible to take the state driving test and get your license. And at the end of all that practice, you can get behind the wheel with confidence that you will drive safely. Driving a car is a type of technical skill that is acquired through practice and training.

The same goes for becoming an electrician. Even if you have some basic electrical knowledge, you don’t have the technical skills needed to work professionally. And you can only learn these skills by attending a certified electrical training program. Here you will learn things like electrical theory, residential wiring, lighting, and safety. You will also get the chance to put your skills to the test in a lab environment supervised by a teacher. After you complete the course and take the state certification exam, you can begin working and gaining experience on a real job site to further hone your skills.

Over time, you will gain many technical skills that make you great at being an electrician.

2: Problem-solving skills give you an advantage.

Problem-solving skills are a mix of skills that you learn and skills that you naturally have.

As an electrician, you will be challenged with tasks that range from small and basic to large and complex. When you encounter an issue, you must be able to find a solution. This is especially true as you gain some experience and begin working independently. To satisfy your clients and get the job done right, you must be able to deal with problems as they arise.

The best problem-solvers can think ahead and predict issues before they happen. And you may notice the more senior electricians around you have this skill. This is something that comes with experience. Remember, when you first start out as an electrician you will likely work on basic tasks like running wire or digging trenches. But you will get more responsibility as time goes on. With greater responsibility and more experience in your back pocket, you should naturally become a better problem solver and someone that other people look to for leadership.

Here are several examples of when problem-solving skills come in handy:

When reading and analyzing blueprints
When performing electrical risk assessments
When diagnosing electrical system failures

3: Teamwork skills make you more likely to succeed.

The ability to work in a team is a critical part of being an electrician. Even if you don’t think you work well in a team today, you can grow into a great team player over time.

When you start out, you will have the benefit of working with experienced electricians in most cases. You can learn a lot by listening, watching, and asking questions. Asking questions can signal to your supervisors that you want to learn. You can build relationships and gain greater trust within your company. In turn you can expect more responsibility.

Communicating clearly with your coworkers and supervisors will go a long way. If you listen to them, they will be more likely to listen to you when you need their help or have an idea. You can eventually be seen within your organization as a go-to electrician with a willingness to work with, learn from, and teach others. Practicing great team skills will make you more likely to grow and earn more money in the long run.

You need technical skills, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills if you want to work as an electrician. These skills are not learned overnight. You must first enroll in an electrical training program to learn the technical aspects of the job. Then you can begin working as an electrician and, as you get more experience, become great at problem solving and improve your teamwork skills. Ready to start your journey? Contact I-TAP today! Our staff is ready to enroll you in an upcoming course. Get in touch now.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

Can You Work As an Electrician Without a License or Certification?

February 18, 2022 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

Can You Work as an Electrician Without a License or Certification?

February 18, 2022

The short answer: no. It is illegal to attempt to do professional electrical work without a state approved certification. And you cannot operate an electrical business without a C-10 Electrical License. To attain an electrical certification in California you must enroll in an electrical training program, earn your trainee card, and take the state certification exam. You can then earn a C-10 license after several years of experience.

Why is it illegal to work as an electrician without first becoming certified?

It is unsafe and dangerous to work in any official electrician capacity without the proper certifications.

Working with wires, conduits, and other electrical systems is not safe for any person that does not have training and on-the-job experience. At a most basic level, electrical wires can shock you—or, if they are installed wrong, can shock others. And electrical wires can cause fire if not installed right.

People that attempt to work as electricians without the proper training may claim that they know what to do based on personal experience. But even if you have self-studied and taught yourself electrical theory, working with electrical systems is still dangerous.

The state of California has set forth laws regarding how to become an electrician and they have done this for good reason. The state wants to ensure that ordinary people are not injured or in any way exposed to dangerous electrical systems. The only way to ensure that is by setting standards that all electricians follow. Leave the electrical work to certified and licensed professionals!

Can you perform electrical work around the house if you are not certified?

Most of us have dealt with a flickering light bulb and been quick to see what the problem is. In situations like this, in general, it is OK to work on it yourself. That said, working with any type of wire can be dangerous. If you can, turn off power to the system or appliance you are attempting to fix. Research before you work to make sure you have the right tools and know what to do. Contact a professional if at any point you feel you cannot do the work safely.

Do not attempt to work on large electrical projects by yourself. Again, not only is it unsafe, but because you do not have a certification it is likely illegal.

If you want to work on electrical systems, get certified and become an electrician!

You must become a state certified electrician if you want to work with electrical systems. Here is how:

Enrolled in a trainee course
Earn your trainee card
Pass the state exam
Start working on a real job site!

Over time, you will gain more experience and can decide to pursue a C-10 contractor license. A C-10 license allows you to operate your own electrical business and take on jobs that total over $500.

Working with wires can be dangerous, especially for those who do not have professional job training. Attempting to work in a professional capacity as an electrician without a certification is illegal in California.

If you want to work as an electrician, enroll in I-TAP's 26-week training program. Get in touch today to learn more!

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

How Many Hours Do Electricians Typically Work?

January 29, 2022 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

How Many Hours Do Electricians Typically Work?

January 31, 2022

Many people think of jobs in the construction trade as physically hard and requiring dozens of hours of overtime. And if you are interested in becoming an electrician, you might wonder how much an electrician works in a typical week and what the work consists of.

Like most professions, electricians typically work 40 hours per week at a minimum. But jobs vary in size, scope, and location and some days may be longer than others.

For the most part, electricians work five 8-hour days for a total of 40 hours per week. But the exact schedule depends on the employer and the job, so it can vary from person to person.

Hours can depend on who you work for.

Electricians work for different companies and contractors. Some electricians work for a specific facility, like a hospital or school, and have a set schedule in which they work a minimum of 40 hours per week and overtime when necessary.

But some electricians don’t work on a set schedule and can be called on to work at any time. As such, hours can vary week to week. Some weeks they will only work 25 hours. Other weeks they will work 60 hours. Hours depend on the nature of the job. For example, if you work for a utility company, you may be called on to work after an emergency.

Note that some employers may not permit you to work overtime. This is often determined by company policy, demand, and need. Overtime may not be an option in some cases.

Hours can depend on the type of job.

Jobs vary in size and scope. Larger or more complex projects may require more hours to complete on time. If your employer permits you to work more than 8 hours per day, and the job demands it, you can end up working ten- or twelve-hour days over a period of a few weeks to finish the job.

Hours can depend on where you work.

The availability of work in your local area often depends on the strength of the economy. Areas in which there are high demand for new construction—whether that be commercial construction or residential construction—require more skilled laborers. Therefore, electricians who live and work in these high demand areas may have more opportunities to find a job.

For this reason, many electricians travel for work. This is especially true if nearby regions have a demand for skilled laborers whereas the local region does not.

Other factors, like certain weather conditions, can make work unpredictable.

Poor weather conditions can delay work if the job is primarily outdoors. Rain, hail, fog, snow, and high winds can put a job on hold. These temporary weather-related work stoppages are done to protect the safety of all workers at a site. The good news is that, at least in some cases, you will know in advance of poor weather conditions so that it does not catch you by surprise.

Other factors that can make work hours unpredictable include:

Emergencies: As we mentioned above, some electricians get called on to work during an emergency. Given that emergencies are always unexpected, it is impossible to set a defined work schedule.
Maintenance: Not all electrical work must be done during the day. You might be scheduled to perform maintenance work at a facility, like a warehouse or office building, during the night when it is closed.

If you are a self-employed electrician, you can set your own work hours.

Approximately 9% of all electricians are self-employed. But self-employed electricians don’t open their own shop overnight.

If you want to own your own electrical business and bid on jobs over $500, you must work your way up. In California, you must first attend an electrical training school and earn your electrical trainee card. You must then work at least one year on-the-job as a journeyperson to be eligible to apply for a C-10 license. You then take a trade exam and a law and business exam. If you pass, and show proof of workers’ compensation insurance, you can set up your own shop and be self-employed!

You can set your own hours as a self-employed electrician. As your business grows, you might find yourself working 60- or 70 hours a week. You can eventually hire help if the work becomes too much for one person. Working for yourself provides you with the opportunity to be flexible with your hours.

As you can see, electricians typically work at least 40 hours per week. But there are several factors that can change this. Overtime can be required when the job is larger or more complex than normal. And you might not work a set schedule—it just depends on your employer and what is required of the project. Even bad weather can delay work and make the number of hours you work in a day unpredictable.

That said, you should know that in California the median salary for all electricians in 2021 was $69,000. Electricians are among the highest earners in the trade industry!

If you want to become an electrician, your first step is enrolling in a state-certified electrical program. Get in contact with I-TAP today to learn more about our program and how you can enroll.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

Tools of the Trade: What Is A Digital Multimeter?

January 14, 2022 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

Tools of the Trade: What Is A Digital Multimeter?

January 14, 2022

A multimeter is a measuring tool that can measure the voltage (volts), resistance (ohms), and current (amps) of an electrical component or device. A multimeter is a standard diagnostic used almost every day by electricians and individuals in related career fields.

There are two types of multimeters: analog and digital. Digital multimeters are more common because they provide better accuracy.

The first multimeter was invented in the early 1920s. It proved revolutionary. Before the multimeter, people were required to carry two or three bulky devices to measure voltage, resistant, and current. The multimeter combined all three and enabled measurement through a single device.

The original multimeter was analog in design. This means that electrical readings were displayed via a needle that rises and falls depending upon the volts, ohms, or amps measured.

Most multimers sold and used today are digital. Digital multimeters display measurement readings on a small screen. Digital multimeters are favored today because of their accuracy, reliability, and increased impedance.

Digital multimeters can range in price. The basic digital multimeter is capable enough in most instances. However, more expensive digital multimeters may come with specialized features that enable electricians to seek out more specific solutions to meet their needs.

In order to use a digital multimeter, you must become familiar with its layout.

From the top of the device to bottom, you will find:

The display: Shows the measurement readout.
The buttons: Enable you to select various functions; vary depending on model.
The dial or switch: Allows you to select between ohms, volts, and amps.
Input jacks: Where you plug in test leads.

It is important to note that multimeters enable you to measure direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Direct current is the flow of electric charge in one direction. Alternating current is the flow of electric charge that can change direction.

DC is generated in most devices powered by a battery. For example, automaker Tesla uses DC battery-powered motors in their Model 3 vehicles.

AC is generated in most residential and commercial power. The electricity that powers our homes and businesses is AC and can flow in two directions.

You will learn to use a digital multimeter and many other important tools as an electrical trainee.

You can’t become an electrician by reading a few books or watching online tutorials. In California, you must enroll in a certified electrical training program and take at least 720 hours of classroom and lab training.

The training program will teach you how to use important electrical tools, including a multimeter. You will get hands on experience testing ohms, voltage, and current using a multimeter in a lab setting. And you will get to work through issues presented by a multimeter – such as if you discover a lack of continuity – with the guidance of a teacher. This is just the type of work you will do on a real job site!

Multimeters are a key tool for electricians. As you can see, you will regularly use one They enable you to test the wires, batteries, and other electrical sources. And they are a great way to identify and troubleshoot issues such as lower-than-expected voltage or continuity problems. If you don’t know how to use a multimeter yet, that’s OK! You will learn as an electrical trainee.

If you are interested in becoming an electrician and learning how to use all the tools of the trade, get in touch with I-TAP today! Our staff can help you enroll in an upcoming semester. Contact us now.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.

Will Automation Affect Jobs in the Electrical Trade?

December 15, 2021 by I-TAP Staff

CALL: (916) 332-3332 | TEXT: (916) 246-8437

Will Automation Affect Jobs in the Electrical Trade?

December 15, 2021

The world is changing. Employers in many industries are turning to automation. This is particularly evident in manufacturing plants, where a machine can complete repetitive tasks faster and with more accuracy than a human.

Employers are likely to tell you that automation is a good thing because machines can increase efficiency and lower overhead costs.

Employees tell a different story: automation is taking away jobs.

But not all industries are subject to worker automation. The question is, is there any risk that the job of an electrician will become automated by machines?

Careers in the construction trades are relatively safe from automation.

In manufacturing, robots operate in predictable indoor settings, completing repetitive tasks on an assembly line. Consumer goods giant Amazon has previously rolled out machines that completely automate the job of packaging orders. These machines can operate 24/7 and package thousands of boxes per day. And the machines don’t receive a paycheck – they effectively replace the jobs of thousands of line workers.

It is a different story when it comes to automation and the construction industry. Daily tasks on a construction site are much harder to define, and day-to-day work is often filled with surprises and uncertainties. Skilled laborers work under challenging conditions that often change. And they work in various environments that can differ every hour: enclosed spaces, open spaces, in heavy rain, in extreme heat, on sand, dirt, mud, beneath ground, above ground, etc. Robots can complete repetitive tasks, which may eliminate the need for human workers. But they require environments that are easy to navigate and don’t change, which certainly doesn’t describe the average jobsite. There is not yet a robot that can do everything that a skilled laborer working on a construction site can do. There are too many variables.

The construction industry poses two additional challenges that prevent full automation: strict regulations and complex working procedures. Efforts towards automating any aspect of construction will be slowed by the necessity of meeting these challenges.

As of now, electricians don't have to worry about job automation, as daily tasks vary considerably, and work is often very specialized.

As you’ve seen, the need for human electricians is not going anywhere, and that’s a good thing.

As we discussed above, it is difficult for a robot to keep up with varying work demands. And the simple truth is, the work that electricians do is extremely complex.

Think about it like this. A machine that tightens bolts on an engine can complete that same task thousands of times per day and do so with zero fatigue. Repetitive manufacturing-related tasks require no more understanding than how tight the bolt needs to be. But can that robot conceptualize how the engine exists, or find ways to make it work better, or identify and fix problems? No. It is designed to do one task: screw in a bolt.

Apply that same line of thinking to the type of work electricians do. Electricians must understand electrical concepts, apply those concepts to large electrical systems, and work on them in a variety of applications and environments. Electricians don’t show up to a job site and do the same task over and over. Like most jobs in the construction trades, electricians work on projects that vary in size, scope, and purpose.

Electricians work on complex tasks. In general, automation machines replace workers who do repetitive tasks in controlled settings. There is little risk that machines will replace electricians.

Ready to learn a skilled trade and work on some of the most exciting commercial construction projects in California and beyond?

I-TAP is an electrical apprenticeship program that helps you find your passion, grow your skills, and place you in the perfect electrician job.