As an electrical trainer and instructor, I’ve helped hundreds of experienced electricians prepare for and pass electrical licensing examinations over the past many years. I’ve also watched hundreds of my students’ companies expand exponentially. Unfortunately, most of them have the same general complaint: They just can’t find enough apprentices and are struggling to keep up with their current workload. Oftentimes, they hire relatives to help keep projects moving along. As an electrical professional, have you thought about the trade for your own children, specifically your daughters? Having three daughters myself, I believe it’s important not to limit career opportunities based on gender bias or societal norms. If your kid wants a hands-on, stable career he or she can learn and grow with for years to come, here are four practical reasons why you should encourage your child to become an electrician.
1. The Cost of Education
The earning power of electricians starts early in their career, even while they're still perfecting the basics of the craft. This makes it a unique opportunity because you’re jumpstarting your profession, not deferring until you officially "graduate." Most full-time seasoned electricians have no educational debt, and those who still have school loans usually have manageable amounts. With the skyrocketing cost of education, trade school is a bargain compared to the cost of pursuing alternative occupational choices, especially when you look at the return you get over the lifetime of a career (your investment). On average, a trade school or apprenticeship program's cost can range from $18,000 to $35,000, depending on its length and program structure. Program duration can vary from six months (accelerated diploma) programs to five-year (state-registered) apprenticeship programs. Some employers even offer 100% tuition reimbursement for the cost of attending and completing a four-year apprenticeship program. Typically, these agreements come with employment contracts as a stipulation. Anyone considering this trade should always choose an educational path that is accessible, convenient, and affordable.
2. They Will Always Be in Demand
Electricians keep the world powered in 24-hour (non-stop) shifts; they have a skill deemed essential by the federal government and recognized as a “high-priority” occupation by several local governmental agencies. Electricians have a “portable” skill, as well — they have job opportunities in every industry of our economy. The full benefits of choosing a life in the electrical trade can be hard to quantify, but it’s a skill you can take with you anywhere you go geographically in the world. The electrical craft also goes home with you when you leave work for the day; it's a skill that can't be left behind at a desk. It’s also a talent your neighbors, relatives, and friends will appreciate, especially during inconvenient power outages.
3. They Won’t Have to Struggle Financially
With less school debt and higher-than-average earning power earlier in their career, most electrical apprentices obtain financial independence sooner than many of their peers who have taken the traditional four-year educational path. Some college graduates are on such a tight budget every month that even the smallest, unexpected expense can throw their finances into disarray. Other financial obligations, such as rent, electricity, food, transportation, and other everyday essentials, often get deferred or ignored. Less debt early on in your career puts achieving the American dream within reach earlier. Working after hours or on weekends (side hustles) for friends and neighbors makes obtaining necessities easier as well, ensuring financial freedom.
4. The Road Less Traveled
Electricians work in an incredibly vibrant field that is continually changing and adapting to technology. They have the power to analyze life through the everyday person's lens, apply standardized installation guidelines, and make life more convenient in how we utilize and connect to standard household appliances and commercial equipment. Electricians help us manage our limited resources against our unlimited need and desire for more speed in connecting to the world. They have a skill that's appreciated by homeowners, business owners, real estate developers, film production companies, telecommunication companies, restaurant owners, plant managers — the list goes on and on. They’re in demand, and that’s not going away. We all know the stigma that has stubbornly stuck to people who decide to opt-out of college and pursue a trade. However, college is not for everyone — and who says attendance is required immediately after high school. Even when construction faces headwinds or the economy begins to plummet, becoming an electrician is a great base on which to build. Those who choose a career in the electrical trade will always have an adaptable skill to carry with them, even if they decide to go to college later to study entrepreneurship, digital marketing, or maybe even project management. The sky’s the limit
De Loach, a master electrician and electrical trainer/instructor, is the founder of The Academy of Industrial Arts (www.taia-school.com) in Philadelphia. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, he will be writing regular exclusive content for E-Train and can be reached at [email protected].
