If you are struggling with trying to decide whether to attend a four year university or go to a trade school, you should give the idea of becoming an electrician some serious thought. This is a particularly good choice for those who would prefer to work with their hands rather than in an office setting. Electricians work in a variety of settings, travel to different work sites on a daily basis, and face new challenges constantly. Following are six excellent reasons why a career as an electrician might be the right choice for you.
Reasonable Education Costs
Those who choose to pursue electrician certification will pay significantly less than their counterparts who opt to pursue a four year degree. The average four year degree costs almost four times as much as the average trade school degree. You also won't accrue as much student loan debt due to the lesser cost, and because technical school programs last from between one to two years, you'll be able to enter the workforce sooner than if you had chosen a four year path. Scholarships may also be available for those choosing to pursue this particular career path. State and federal grants are also available for those who qualify.
Significant Job Security
Because the work done by electricians involves hands-on work in residential homes and commercial properties, it can't be outsourced like so many other industries have been in recent years. As an electrician, the demand for your skills won't be able to be met by contracting with companies in China or other foreign countries. Also, virtually every home and business in the country uses electricity. There will also be significant opportunities as alternative power sources such as solar become more mainstream because home and business owners will need technicians to make adjustments to accommodate these changes.
Opportunities for Apprenticeships
Most students end up working part time jobs at fast food places, retail stores, or other low paying occupations. However, part of your schooling as an electrician may entail working as an apprentice. This will allow you to learn valuable skills as a part of your education as well as make professional connections in the field.
Strong Union Representation
As skilled tradespeople, electricians are represented by a strong union. Although you are not obligated to join the union when you become an electrician, there are many benefits of doing so. Experienced union negotiators can get you good benefits, working conditions, and retirement funds. Union members also make over $10 an hour more than those who do not belong to unions.
Favorable Future Outlook
Between now and 2024, jobs for qualified electricians are expected to grow by as much as 14 percent. In 2014, the annual median pay for an electrician was slightly over $51,000. Many employers are already reporting that finding qualified applicants is challenging, so you will likely be able to choose the company that suits you best as well as have your choice of geographical locations. After all, electricians are needed in all parts of the country.
Opportunities for Self-Employment
After you've got a few years of experience under your belt and have developed a positive reputation as an electrician in your community, you'll have the option of going into business for yourself. However, you should take a class or two in small business management practices before setting up shop on your own. Many electricians also choose to go into business with a partner or two so that they can serve a wider customer base, while others prefer to be a one-person show.
For further information on whether pursuing a career as an electrician would be a good fit for you, contact your local electrician trade school or visit a site like http://hvac-tech.com at your earliest convenience.
Share13 January 2016
I have never been a great book-learner, which is why I decided to see about going to trade school instead of traditional college. I wanted to get right into a career, instead of taking years of meaningless classes along the way. As soon as I enrolled, I could tell that I had made the right decision. My classes were interesting, fun, and they taught me a lot. I actually think that I learned more in my first semester of trade school than I did in a year's worth of traditional school--largely in part because the subject was interesting to me. I made this blog to help other people learn more about the benefits of trade school.
