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Electrician vs Lineman: What’s the Difference?

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Electrician vs Lineman: What’s the Difference?

August 27, 2021

If you want to work a trade having to do with electrical systems, but you haven’t settled on what career to pursue, two of your options may be electrician and lineman. People often confuse the two careers, thinking they are the same. The truth is, besides the basic electrical knowledge you need to do either, electricians and linemen have very different careers.  

While the work varies between the two jobs, they are both among the highest paying trades. Let’s compare linemen and electricians to help you determine what career to pursue. 

Linemen work outdoors, installing and maintaining power lines, and often work during power outages and emergencies. 

As their title suggests, linemen work on power lines that run between buildings and power stations. They install new lines, test existing power lines, and repair old or damaged lines when necessary. 

But working as a lineman is no easy task. It is one of the most physically demanding trade jobs. 

Much of the job involves working at heights. Linemen must climb poles and go up in bucket lifts to perform power line installations and repairs. For particularly difficult jobs, some lineman may even be lowered down to access the power line from a helicopter! 

And because the job is entirely outside, lineman work in bad weather conditions all the time. Heavy rain, snow, hail, and wind often knock out power lines and cause power outages. Who gets called to restore power when there is an outage? You guessed it: linemen. Many lineman, especially those just starting their career, are on call 24/7. And they don’t wait for the weather to pass during bad storms. Linemen work in virtually all weather conditions and often work long ten- or twelve-hour shifts to ensure the lights come back on. 

The danger of this work is heightened by the high voltage lines that linemen often work on. Being shocked by a transmission line is a much different matter than being shocked by the low voltage lines of a home or business (of course, both types of shocks are bad—that’s why safety should always come first).

Working as a lineman can be dangerous, is more physical than most trades, and requires working in harsh weather. So, if you want to become a lineman, be sure that you are good with heights and like to work outdoors.

How do you become a lineman?

Becoming a lineman requires schooling. You can take one of two paths: go to school full time to become certified or become an apprentice and work while you learn. 

If you enroll in a lineman training program full time, you can complete the course in the span of a few months. Afterwards, you will join the workforce as an apprentice, and work your way up to becoming a journeyperson. 

If you enroll in an apprenticeship program, you will gain real-world work experience while taking related classes. This program typically takes two or three years, and once complete, you will have earned enough work hours to become a journeyperson. 

Electricians work on residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, and work with lower voltage systems than linemen. 

Electricians work on electrical systems in a variety of settings, from smaller residential jobs to larger commercial and industrial sites. They do much of their work inside, but also work outside digging trenches and running wire. 

Electricians can work on specialized projects. These may include wiring solar installations or even wind turbine installations (there happens to be good opportunities in the renewable energy space). 

The key difference between linemen and electricians is the amount of voltage each works with. Linemen work with high voltage transmission lines of 200 kilovolts (Kv) or more. Working with high voltage lines requires special training, tools, and safety measures that would not be applicable to a general electrician. 

Also, compared to a lineman, working as an electrician is not nearly as hard on the body. It is still a hands-on job, but the use of heavy equipment is rare, as is working in dangerous environments or at tall heights. 

How do you become an electrician? 

Becoming an electrician is similar to becoming a lineman. You must either attend trade school full time or become an apprentice and work as you go to school.

At I-TAP, we offer both an electrical trainee program and an electrical apprentice program. Our six-month electrical trainee program is designed to get you the skills needed to step on the job site and know what to do from day 1. Our apprenticeship program offers students the opportunity to take classes a few weeks per year while getting experience on the job site.

At the completion of either program, you must take the California Electrical Certification Exam to become certified. 

What career should you pursue? 

Linemen and electricians are quite different. Linemen work outside with high voltage transmission lines and systems. Electricians work in commercial and residential settings, mostly indoors, and with lower voltage systems. 

If you like to work outdoors, becoming a lineman might be a good career choice. But do keep in mind that the work is physically demanding. You may regularly work at heights of more than 100 feet and in bad weather conditions… and for some, that is the perfect job.

But if that doesn’t sound like a fit, working as an electrician is not as hard on the body, nor does it require working in adverse weather conditions. And advancing in your career and making well over $100,000 per year in just a few years is very realistic. Pursuing a career as an electrician starts by earning your trainee card. Get in touch with I-TAP today and we can help you start your journey to becoming an electrician!

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.

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Why The August 2021 $1 Trillion Infrastructure Deal is Great for Electricians

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Why The August 2021 $1 Trillion Infrastructure Deal is Great for Electricians

A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL PASSED IN THE SENATE. WHILE NOT YET OFFICIAL (IT STILL MUST PASS A VOTE IN THE HOUSE), IT DOES SIGNAL A MAJOR SHIFT IN HOW WE CONSUME ENERGY IN THE U.S. AND THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR ELECTRICIANS. 

August 16, 2021

A new $1 trillion infrastructure deal moving its way through Congress sets forth an ambitious plan to improve infrastructure across the country. The massive deal includes more than $500 billion in federal investments to repair aging roads and bridges, upgrade rail lines, build up broadband accessibility, increase electrical car charging infrastructure, and even improve power and water systems. 

The bill passed a recent vote in the Senate, but it is not official yet. The House of Representatives will soon vote on the bill. If it passes, it will go to the president’s desk for final approval. 

The ultimate goal of the bill is to not only upgrade infrastructure, but put millions of Americans to work. There is great potential for electricians to see more job opportunities come their way. 

The deal prioritizes new high tech, environmentally friendly upgrades to the nation’s energy infrastructure. 

In the late 1930s, then-president Franklin Roosevelt signed into law an infrastructure deal he dubbed the “New Deal.” The New Deal put millions of Americans to work, and over the course of the next decade, transformed America’s industrial infrastructure. 

Now, almost 100 years later, Congress is debating a new bill aimed again at upgrading the nation’s infrastructure.

The plan calls for modernizing the country’s aging electrical grid in an effort to reduce emissions. The current administration wants the grid to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. Research suggests that the U.S. must double or even triple its ability to transmit energy electrically to successfully decarbonize the country. If the bill passes, the federal government would invest:

  • $65 billion to rebuild the electrical grid and expand renewable energy
  • $65 billion to upgrade the nation’s broadband infrastructure
  • $42 billion to improve airport and water port infrastructure, in particular to reduce emissions and promote electrification
  • $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of electrical vehicle charging stations

Should the bill pass, these investments would represent the largest overhaul of the electrical grid in U.S. history. Today, renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind are cheaper than ever before—and expected to get even cheaper in the future. But even as more renewable energy sources come online, the nation’s aging electrical grid is incapable of integrating that power for everyday use. The grid is too old and outdated and already pushed beyond its limitations. 

If it passes, hundreds of thousands of miles of power lines would be replaced and new technology installed at major electric substations.

The infrastructure bill targets not only upgrades to the ways in which we transmit energy, but also the ways in which we use that energy. Gas-powered cars are on the way out and electric vehicles are on the way in. California plans to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars in 2035. For decades, California has had a massive impact on vehicle technology. The state’s demand for vehicles that caused less air pollution in the 1980s and ‘90s resulted in cleaner cars being sold across the country. And now the state’s goal of banning the sale of gas-powered cars will boost the production and sale of EV cars.

This is why almost $8 billion will go toward a national network of EV chargers. California has more than 30,000 public charging stations statewide—but the rest of the country is far behind. If the country is to successfully move away from gasoline powered vehicles, millions of EV chargers must be installed. 

The major investment in the electrical infrastructure is great for commercial and industrial electricians.

Much work must be done to complete these electrical grid upgrades, and not just anyone can perform that work. If the infrastructure deal passes, commercial and industrial electricians stand to benefit from the multi-billion dollar electrical grid investment. 

Industrial electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical equipment and controls. That is just the type of work required to upgrade the electrical grid. 

One current problem is that renewable energy sources produce more energy than the grid can store. Unstored energy is lost and cannot be used by anyone. Industrial electricians will play a major role in installing new technologies that can store more energy and transmit that energy more efficiently. As the grid becomes more capable, gas- and coal-burning sites will be used less often, and more and more maintenance and upgrades will be required at electric-only facilities, a win for industrial electricians. 

Commercial electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in commercial buildings such as warehouses and office buildings. While they don’t work on the electric grid directly, commercial electricians will benefit from increasing reliance on and demand for renewable energy. 

Grid-sourced energy prices are only rising, in part because of the aging, strained electrical grid. On the flip side, the cost of solar has gone down by 70% over the last decade. Business and property owners are taking notice of this cost reduction. Commercial solar installations are on the rise, especially in California. In theory, even more commercial installations will occur after the grid has been upgraded to better handle renewable energy sources. 

All journeyperson electricians working under a C-10 electrical contractor can install and wire solar systems and battery storage systems. More work may be on the horizon. 

EV charging stations are also a big deal. Commercial electricians may be required to install millions of EV chargers across the country to keep up with demand. 

Other opportunities that may pop up as a result of this new bill include making electrical code-related updates. Commercial buildings must adhere to federal, state, and local electrical codes, which may change given the planned upgrades to the electrical grid. 

The infrastructure bill represents a massive undertaking. Should it pass, many industries stand to benefit from billions of dollars in investments. Electricians, in particular, may see an increase in job opportunities as industrial and commercial electrical work become more in demand. 

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.

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What Are the Highest Paying Trade Jobs?

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What Are the Highest Paying Trade Jobs?

TRADE JOBS ARE CONSIDERED RELIABLE AND STEADY. WHICH TRADE CAREERS OFFER THE HIGHEST PAY? FIND OUT BELOW!

July 29, 2021

A job in the trades is a great option if you enjoy challenging, hands-on work. Such careers require vocational training, and often pay well because of the specialized skills they require. 

If you are interested in joining the trades, you probably want to know which career path can lead to the highest income. In this blog post, we will look at some of the highest-paying trade jobs and the types of duties each job entails.

The below information is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a great resource for finding data about careers in the United States.  

1. Elevator and escalator technicians. 

Yearly Median Salary: $88,540

Elevator and escalator technicians install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts. They often work in cramped areas and machine rooms. Given the nature of escalators and elevators, technicians may be required to work at heights. Repair people may be on call 24 hours per day and often work overtime. 

This particular career is very specialized. Fewer than 30,000 people worked as an elevator and escalator technician in 2019. The career is expected to grow faster than the average job in the United States over the next 10 years, as construction of commercial buildings brings new opportunities. 

2. Boilermakers 

Yearly Median Salary: $65,360

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases. This is considered one of the most physically demanding trade jobs, in terms of both the work and travel requirements. A career as a boilermaker is also highly specialized—just 16,000 people were employed in the field in 2019.  

The career is expected to grow much slower than the overall average over the next decade. 

3. Electricians

Yearly Median Salary: $56,900

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in residential and commercial buildings. Working as an electrician is one of the least physically demanding trade jobs. Electricians are required to stand, bend, or kneel for prolonged periods based on the task at hand, and some tasks are very physically demanding. However, compared to those working in general construction, electricians rarely do repetitive tasks or work near hazardous materials. 

On-call work and overtime are the norm, especially for those just starting out. The potential for career growth is very high—It’s entirely possible for electricians to work up to owning their own businesses. 

The electrical career is expected to grow 8% in the next ten years, much faster than average. 

4. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Yearly Median Salary: $56,330

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems. Their work is quite varied, performing installs and maintenance in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, and other places where there are pipes and related systems. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.

The plumbing occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average career in the U.S. Plumbers should have plenty of opportunities as commercial construction drives demand. 

5. Ironworkers

Yearly Median Salary: $53,210

Ironworkers install iron and steel that reinforces buildings, bridges, and roads. Like boilermakers, ironworkers face considerable physical risks while performing work. They often work at great heights, with heavy machinery, and perform repetitive tasks like hammering and wrenching. 

Employment in ironworking is expected to grow 5% over the next decade. Workers in this sector will benefit from the construction of new high-rise buildings and other commercial structures. Ironworkers are especially valuable in helping replace old infrastructure, which the current administration aims to do. 

If you don’t know what trade career to pursue, think about your interests and skills.  

Now that you know the five highest paying construction trade jobs, it’s important to think about what trade you actually want to pursue. It should be clear by now that the construction trades offer a wide range of career paths. Whether you are just entering the workforce, or planning for a career change, there are many career options to pick from. 

The number of options is great, as you can really pursue the type of work you are most interested in. Then again, because of how many options there are, you might struggle to determine what you want to pursue. Those just starting their career journey can often be left wondering, “What trade is right for me?”

Salary expectations are important. But money isn’t the only important factor. Here are some other considerations to think about.

Think about your interests. One benefit of working in the trades is that you can earn a living doing work that you are passionate about. Most people who pursue a trade career would agree that they like working with their hands. But think more specifically about what you enjoy. If you like working with wood, then maybe you pursue a career in carpentry. If you like wrenching on cars, maybe pursue a career as an automotive mechanic. Think about what you like to do and research trades that align with your interests. 

Use the skills you already have. You can join the trades even if you have no experience and develop skills as you go. That’s what trade school is for! But if you already have talent in a certain area, then pursuing a career in that area can wind up being a natural fit. 

Research in-demand trade jobs. The BLS is a great resource. As discussed above, you can use it to find projected career growth. The average job in the U.S. is expected to grow about 4% in the next decade. Some jobs in the trade industry are expected to grow even faster. For example, the BLS project projects the electrical industry to grow 8% over the next 10 years. In theory, the faster the job growth, the more job opportunities available. 

It’s important to think about the type of work you enjoy, the skills you have, and which jobs are in demand. Doing so can help you figure out what trade career to pursue. If you want to learn more about trade school, or have an interest in becoming an electrician, contact I-TAP! We can answer any questions or concerns you have, and help you apply for an upcoming class. 

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.

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Why You Should Get Out of Warehouse Work, and How To Do It

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Why You Should Get Out of Warehouse Work, and How To Do It

July 13, 2021

Warehousing has long been one of the US’s most reliable means of employment. Millions of Americans are employed in warehouses all across the country. This hasn’t changed despite the social, economic, and technological changes that have reshaped the workforce over the last couple decades.

While retail demand has declined, interest in online shopping has exploded, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Consequently, warehousing employment sector has grown significantly. In fact, the pandemic forced Amazon to hire close to 500,000 employees to help warehouses meet increased demand as online shopping soared. 

Career Re-Training for Warehouse Workers who have Lost Their Jobs

But there are a few reasons why warehousing isn’t an ideal career path. Data shows that nearly 20% of freight movers and packers, and more than 10% of forklift operators, were actually employed by staffing agencies. This is much higher than in other industries—the overall average percentage of the country’s entire workforce employed by temporary staffing agencies (excluding agricultural labor) is just 2%. People who are employed through staffing agencies don’t enjoy the same pay and benefits that permanent employees do, and they can find it difficult to make the jump to direct employment by a warehouse.

But even when directly employed at a warehouse, the job can be incredibly stressful. There are a variety of reasons why many warehouse workers are looking for ways to break into new careers.

Amazon warehouse workers have been sounding the alarm about stressful, grueling, and even unsafe working conditions for years.

Amazon has long been focused on optimizing the efficiency of its warehouses, pushing workers to meet ever-increasing quotas when pulling items for orders, filling up merchandise racks, or sorting items being sent out for shipping.

Unsurprisingly, this break-neck pace results in a higher than average number of injuries. Data from about a quarter of the company’s “fulfillment centers” showed that in 2018, 9.6 out of every 100 workers suffered serious injuries that year, double the national rate. Some warehouses had injury rates more than 4 times the national average.

Workers have described having to break the company’s safety rules in order to access and move packages, because workers weren’t provided with necessary equipment. In one instance, workers had to continue to work even in the midst of a gas leak, which made some employees dizzy and even vomit. And the company’s warehouses only became more hazardous in the wake of the pandemic. By late 2020, more than 20,000 employees had contracted COVID.

While it’s important to note that Amazon is only one of thousands of companies operating warehouses in the United States, working in a warehouse is both physically exhausting, and mentally draining.

And the fact that warehousing is a largely repetitive job means that in the future, warehouse workers may find themselves—and their jobs—replaced by machines.

Amazon’s adoption of warehouse automation suggests that the warehousing industry as a whole may shift towards the use of machine-powered stocking.

In 2012, Internet retailer Amazon purchased Kiva Systems, a developer of robotic fulfillment systems. After several years of product development—during which the acquisition was rebranded as Amazon Robotics—Amazon is now going through the process of installing robotic systems to manage its fulfillment warehouses.

Prior to the pandemic prompting the company to go on a warehouse worker hiring spree, many workers were concerned about the company’s investments in automation. Amazon responded by rolling out the Career Choice Program, which aims to retrain warehouse employees so that they can enter other career fields. As of 2020, Amazon indicated that 30,000 employees had used the program to transition into other careers at the company. 

While it’s great that some employees have been able to grow at Amazon,but they represent only a small fraction of the many hundreds of thousands of Amazon warehouse workers. And Amazon is only one of many companies, and very few are investing in growing their employees.

It’s estimated that 400 to 800 million workers worldwide will lose their jobs to automation. Some of these workers will likely find similar jobs elsewhere, but the same study estimates that anywhere from 75 to 375 million will enter entirely new career fields. Pursuing a new career field can be difficult and require special training or skills. If warehouse jobs dry up in favor of automation, it is likely warehouse workers will need to develop new skills.

Meanwhile, some warehouse workers are already losing jobs as Internet retailers cannibalize brick-and-mortar retail stores.

For quite some time now, retail stores have been on the decline. Back in March 2018, Toys”R”Us announced that it would be forced to close or sell all of its stores, as well as the warehouses that served them. Thousands of warehouse workers lost their jobs.

Since then, dozens of other chains have closed many or all of their stores. In 2020, the list of retailer closures included such chains as GNC, Pier 1 Imports, Stage Stores, Men’s Wearhouse, Signet Jewelers, JCPenney, Gap, and more. Tens of thousands of stores closed, and with them, the warehouses that served them.

When we wrote the original version of this post back in 2018, it was believed that many other retailers would close a significant number of stores, including Sears, Neiman Marcus, 99 Cents Only, Fred’s, Office Depot, and Vitamin Shoppe. Since then, these predictions came true.

This trend will almost certainly continue, with these and other chains. And the unfortunate reality is that, with each store that closes, the warehouses that service those retail locations will shutter as well. With a potential decline in retail warehouse jobs on one side, and impending warehouse automation on the other, what are warehouse workers in the middle to do?

The California Employment Development Department offers benefits to those eligible for unemployment that make it easier to obtain vocational training.

Thankfully, there is assistance available. The California EDD offers California Training Benefits (CTB), which allow those receiving unemployment to dedicate their time strictly to vocational training, rather than having to work or attempt to find work.

It’s important to note, CTB does not pay for tuition. But that’s where I-TAP can help.

We are an electrical training school that has helped countless individuals become certified journeyman electricians over the past 20 years. In that time, we’ve learned to navigate the process for applying for federal financial aid, and have found many other sources of financial assistance to tap into, in the form of federal, state and private grants and loans.

If you’re a warehouse worker looking to enter a new career field, you can’t do better than the electrical trade. The electrical field is growing, especially on the commercial side of things. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the electrical industry will grow by 8% over the next decade. 

The average salary for a journeyman electrician in California is currently approaching $70,000 per year, and if they are able to work in “prevailing wage” industry jobs, the rate for these government assisted projects—such as Golden 1 Center and Levi Stadium—electrician’s pay can run between $128,000 to $204,000 per year (total benefits package)!

So, if you’re a warehouse worker struggling to find a new job that is a fulfilling, well-paying career, give I-TAP a call. We can help. We’ll work with you to find the money to pay for your electrical training, so you can stop worrying and start enjoying the life you deserve.

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.

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Why Women Should Consider Becoming Electricians

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Why Women Should Consider Becoming Electricians

WHILE STILL DOMINATED BY MEN, TODAY MORE AND MORE WOMEN ARE JOINING THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES. 

June 28, 2021

Working as an electrician can be a rewarding career filled with opportunities. While it’s true that the construction trades have traditionally been worked by men, there is truly nothing physical or mental preventing women from working in the trades. 

Both men and women have enjoyed great success in the construction trades. Today, there are plenty of jobs for women in the construction industry, in particular as electricians. 

More women work in the construction trades than you might think, and more women are expected to join in the near future.

If you have limited experience working in the trades—or no experience at all—you might not expect to see even a single woman working on a job site. That is a common expectation, as the construction industry has been dominated by men for decades. 

But that is changing. Currently, women make up 10.9% of the U.S. construction workforce, up two percentage points from a decade ago. If this trend holds, by 2030 women will make up close to 14% of the construction workforce. 

So, roughly 1 out of 10 people working in the construction industry is female. That number is expected to grow considerably in the next decade, as more women join the trades and as more job opportunities open up. The construction industry is expected to grow over the next decade. The electrical industry, in particular, is predicted to grow by 8% in the next 10 years. More jobs means more opportunities for everyone.

In addition to all of the above, there is growing pressure on businesses to increase the diversity of their workforces. This isn’t just because of societal pressures. Construction businesses are recognizing that the businesses and governments they serve have an increasing number of women in their leadership, and that trust can be built by having more women in their own workforces.

For women, now is as good a time as any to join the trades. 

Women earn 99.1% of what men earn in the construction industry.

Unfortunately, the gender pay gap in the United States is a very real thing. In the U.S., on average, women make just 81% of what men make. 

But certain industries are much more fair than others. And the construction trades are at the very forefront of equality when it comes to pay. Women earn 99.1% of what men earn working in the construction industry. While it is not 100%, the construction industry is the most fair when it comes to equal pay between genders. 

Women interested in becoming an electrician, or joining any other construction trade, really shouldn’t hesitate. 

The construction industry is changing. While the majority of the workforce is still male, more women are joining the trades now than ever before—and with good reason. 

Skilled laborers are in demand. The construction industry is expected to grow considerably over the next decade. Women can do the job just as well as men. In addition, women earn 99.1% of what men earn in the construction industry. Compensation in the construction industry is more fair than any other industry in the United States. 

If you want to become an electrician, don’t hesitate! I-TAP is here to help and support you. Get in touch with us today to learn about our electrician trainee course 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.

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What Should You Expect as a New Trainee Electrician?

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What Should You Expect as a New Trainee Electrician? A Guide

ON YOUR FIRST DAY AS A NEW TRAINEE ELECTRICIAN, WILL YOU BE DOING WIRING WORK, OR SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO GRAB A SHOVEL AND START DIGGING HOLES? WELL, THAT DEPENDS.

June 15, 2021

Anyone who’s ever started a new job for which they didn’t have any previous experience knows how nerve-wracking the lead up to your first day can feel. The same is true for anyone who gets a job as an electrician trainee. You may have already passed your electrician apprenticeship class, or be simultaneously enrolled in a long-term course, but it’s a different thing altogether when a paycheck is involved.

Maybe you’ve worked on a construction site as a general laborer, or maybe you’ve only ever worked behind a cash register until now. Everyone takes their own path to becoming an electrician. No matter how you get there, walking on the job site as a new trainee electrician can come with many unknowns.

What should you expect as a new trainee electrician? Read our guide to find out!

What should you expect as a new trainee electrician?

Expect to do more grunt work and less electrical work at first. This will give you the opportunity to prove yourself.

The first day on the job—on any job—can be one filled with angst and nerves. 

When you walk onto a worksite on your very first day with your clean hard hat and shiny new tools, everyone is going to know that you’re a newbie. Ideally you will have been provided with a phone number, or at least the name of who you’re supposed to report to when you arrive. Once you’ve gotten that sorted out, you’ll be shown around the site and given the tour—where the porta-potties are, the best places to park, etc. Everyone will be eager to help you hit the ground running. Really, it’s true! In general, trade workers are a welcoming bunch. There’s always a lot of work to be done on a job site and you’re a welcome pair of hands.

Once you’ve been shown around, odds are that someone’s going to walk up to you with a shovel, show you a pile of dirt, and ask you to get to work. You’ll be set loose to dig your first trench. If you’re lucky, you might be asked to run electrical cable—lots and lots of electrical cable.

The grunt work isn’t glamorous. But it’s not the end-all-be-all, either. If you keep with it, you should progress into a role that is more interesting and comes with more responsibilities.

Working as an apprentice electrician is more physical than mental, at least at the start.

You may feel a little frustrated at times, eager to apply your knowledge. Every trainee has found themselves holding a shovel and thinking, “I thought I was going to learn to be an electrician, not dig holes!” 

Remember that you’re just starting out. If you’re especially eager to get past the grunt work, completing a 6-month trainee program and taking the journeyman electrician test is a great way to show that you’re too smart for the shovel!

But most electricians have those moments when their mind starts to wander and there’s the potential to get into trouble. The work can become repetitive, and not especially challenging. The goal of your time as an apprentice is to get comfortable with field work and with other electricians. You can learn a lot, and make a good impression on those working with you, if you stay focused on the tasks at hand.  

Here’s a few tips for making the best possible impression on the jobsite:

  • Don’t be late. There are few things you can do that will get you on the bad side of a foreman more quickly than showing up late.
  • Keep an open mind and be willing to learn. If you act like you know it all, those with more experience will be unlikely to take you under their wing. 
  • Always have all the tools required of an electrician trainee. Be sure to learn the names of your tools and how to use them, so you can communicate better and work more efficiently
  • Always pay attention when you’re being told to do something. Ask questions if you don’t know what to do or how to do it. 
  • Follow all safety rules. Failure to follow rules is an easy way to get fired. 
  • Anticipate the needs of your boss and coworkers. If you can make their jobs easier, without them having to ask, you’ll earn their respect.
  • Don’t play with your phone while working.
  • If you get done with a task, ask what to do next. Don’t get caught leaning on your shovel.
  • Clean up after yourself. Don’t build a reputation for being a slob.
  • Offer to help whenever you can. This will help you earn the trust of fellow electricians and get you firsthand experience doing new work. 

Sure, some of the tips might seem a bit obvious. But if you take them to heart, you are very likely to earn the respect of your peers and learn a lot more while doing so. 

By demonstrating aptitude, care, and a desire to do a good job, you’ll be given more opportunities to learn the basics of being an electrician.

You may often feel like nobody is paying attention to your efforts, but word travels fast on a job site. Everyone knows who works hard and who slacks off. You may not have a lot of knowledge, but a good attitude and a desire to learn will have journeymen and foremen going out of their way to teach you new tricks of the trade. 

Never refuse an opportunity to learn. Learn everything you can, and pay close attention to instructions. Ask questions when you need to, as not asking an important question may result in you making errors, which makes you look like you don’t care about doing a good job.

Again, anticipate everyone’s needs. Make sure that your team’s work cart is loaded up with everything you will need for the day. Be that person who knows all the materials and how to arrange them properly. Be the one to reload materials when they’re getting low, ideally before they run out.

And keep with it—working as an electrician can be a truly rewarding job. If you put in the work, you can become a journeyman or even a master electrician who owns their own business. 

While your primary objective should be to learn everything you can about being an electrician, you’re also there to build your reputation. Work hard, and new doors will open for you!

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.

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