Electricity is one of the most important resources in our day to day life. That is why this world would be nowhere without electricians. The electrical industry keeps changing due to emerging technologies and one of the best things about being an electrician is that you can choose to work on different career paths. You can work in the repair and installation section of a company where you will need to work with the lighting and wiring of a particular building or you could work in wire cell towers. You can also work as a maintenance electrician where you will need to handle all the repairing work, update the electrical systems, control the circuit and troubleshooting. Along with that, you can also work in a construction building where you will need to handle the wiring system, fire, and security alarm systems and much more.
Being an electrician in a very challenging and interesting work where one needs to understand the theory of electricity, practical installations, different diagrams of electricity and the regulations of health and safety. It is essential for you to understand the wiring and building regulations of the particular area you are working. The current job market of an electrician in the United States is thriving and the need for electricians is on the rise. According to the research by the Unites States Department of Labor, it stated that by the end of the year 2020, there will be more than 700,000 jobs for electricians all over the country. Over the past few years, the job market for the electricians increased by 11 per cent and it is predicted that by the next two years, it will increase by 20 per cent. By becoming an electrician, one can ensure a happy and successful career path for themselves. Even though it a very challenging work but it will enable to keep you sharp and ensure that no work day will be monotonous and tedious.
One of the most important stages of career development is to comprehend what employers need and look for in an electrician. There are various jobs in the fields of electricity available to suit your level of expertise and the hiring process requires identifying the interests, personality and the skills of the candidate.
Before applying for a job, you must have both technical and communication skills. There is a rise in the documentation and professional electricians must be able to understand the instructions provided in a calm and clear way. You must always research the company you are applying to such as the company’s history, facts, and others. The employers would want to know that you have a genuine interest in their company and you have an understanding of the core values and mission of the company. You must be interested in the products and services they provide.
Teamwork is an important skill, and often the employers hire candidates who have experience in teamwork. Teamwork requires influence, discipline, persuasion and respecting your team members. You must have a knack for solving complex problems by demonstrating your analytical and innovative thinking with good planning and organizational skills. Often employers hire candidates who have gained work experience in this field. But even if you are a beginner, there are many jobs available that look for candidates who are fresh out the school.
The employers would want to know if you have the right certifications and skills to work as an electrician. It is important that you have completed an accredited degree course, whether it a certificate program, associate’s degree or even bachelor’s degree, having proper credentials and license will enable you to obtain the job instantly.
Currently, there are more than 14,000 electricians in the state of Ohio working in different companies, firms and businesses. All the electricians in Ohio has a government license that is provided by the Division of Industry Compliance which is the part of Ohio’s Department of Commerce. Once an electrician acquires a license, he must follow all the rules and regulations. Most of the entry-level electricians are between the ages of 22-24 even though the minimum age must be about 18 years old. The electricians in Ohio mostly work on wirings in the buildings and houses, designing, installation and repair of heavy-duty machinery, maintenance and troubleshooting of electrical systems.
About 40 per cent of the electricians have complete the minimum education requirements that are having a high school diploma or something equivalent to a GED. After that, they have become an apprentice or joined a college to gain a learning experience in hands-on training and classroom teachings. Some of the organizations that provide apprenticeship are Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Associated Electrical Contractors Central Ohio Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors (AEC-IEC) and Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Some of the companies the electricians work in Ohio are Gavin Power Plant, American Electric Power Co, First Energy Corporation, North Western Electric Co-Op, City of Columbus Division of Power, Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., Wayne Holmes Electric Co-Op and much more.
Salary of an Electrician in Ohio
The salary of an electrician in the state of Ohio is predicted to increase by about 20 per cent by the end of the year 2020. Currently, a licensed electrician with many years of experience earn more than $50,000 annually and a beginner electrician earns around $30,000 annually on his first job. The rate which is higher than the national average salary. Over the past few years, there has been a 30 per cent increase in jobs in the Utility System Construction, 28 per cent increase in the Residential building construction and about 25 per cent increase in the Commercial building construction. Due to a sharp increase in construction in Ohio has expanded the economic growth of the state. Every year various companies, firms, power plants and business offer more than 1500 jobs.
There has been a sudden growth of employment in the Dayton Area, Ohio that has increased the salary of an electrician by 15 per cent. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base announced that it will build a new $6.6 billion satellite pharmacy and various other constructions have started in this area. In the Northeastern Ohio, the jobs have increased by 10 per cent along with the salary.
Stark State College -
It is a comprehensive community college that provides outstanding quality of education and creates a career path for the students. It is the largest college in the Stark County, Ohio. The college provides more than 200 associate degrees, one-year certificate programs in different fields which include business and entrepreneurial studies, education, engineering technologies, health and human services, information technologies, liberal arts, mathematics, and sciences. Currently, there are more than 10,000 students enrolled in the college.
One of the best things about Stark State College is that it provides a wide range of programs related to Electricity. The electric power utility technology program offers the students an incredible learning experience on different construction distribution for both commercial and residential structures, repairing and installation of new and damaged power lines etc. This program provides a very rewarding career and you can choose your major which includes - Lineworker technician major and Substation worker technician major. Studying Lineworker technician major teaches you to work in very extreme and harsh weather. It requires heavy physical work such as climbing on electric poles and operating complex electrical equipment. While studying Substation worker technician major teaches you to repair and install substation equipment such as transformers, high-voltage machinery, circuit breakers and much more. Other electricity-related programs offered by the Stark State College are Electrical Engineering Technology, Electro-Mechanical major, and Electrical Maintenance technology.
North Central State College -
North Central State College is a public two-year community college located in the North central Ohio. The college offers the best learning environment for the students with a high-quality education. It offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs in different fields which include Health, Business, Public Service, and Engineering Technologies, along with different types of customized workforce training programs. The college enrolls more than 2500 students every year and it is one of the largest community colleges in the north central Ohio. The population of the students comprises of high school students and non- traditional adult students. There are also part-time and full-time students.
North Central State College provides an Associate of Applied Science degree by completing the integrated engineering technology program. Upon completion of this program, the students will be able to repair and install various types of industrial equipment and learn different types of technical, mechanical and electrical skills. The program offers the students a basic knowledge in innovative electrical skills which include programmable logic controllers (PLC’s), mechanical drive systems, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, electronics and digital applications, robotics, and process control. The students will be able to work in different sectors of the electrical field as maintenance repair technicians, electrical maintenance technicians, or mechanical maintenance technicians. This program will enable you to learn to fix and operate heavy mechanical equipment, create a sharp problem-solving interest. Be noted that before you apply for this program, you need to have an aptitude for mathematics and science.
Owens Community College -
Owens Community College is a comprehensive community college with various campuses located in different places in Ohio. One of the campuses is situated in Toledo while the other one is located in Findlay. The community college provides an amazing learning experience to the students where they create a career path for them and, develop their professional skills. The faculty members are very dedicated to the students where they prepare them for the real world experience. Each class contains about 15 students, thus providing the students with ample personal attention needed for them to succeed in their particular field of study. The community college provides flexible timing of the classes, such that if you work in the day or you work on the weekdays, the college takes night classes and during the weekends.
Owens community college provides different programs related to electricity. The Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology is an associate degree program which comprises of about 63-64 credit hours. Upon completion of this program, it enables the student to work at the technician level in instrumentation and controls, research and development, testing, installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems. The program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering. The Electrical Certificate program enables the students to seek a career either as a commercial electrician or mechanical electrician. The programs provide the students a basic knowledge electrical theory and electrical motor control including programmable logic control (PLC) and control systems. This comprises of only 29 credit hours. On the other hand, the electrical major program provides the students a learning experience in the industrial electrical field. Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to handle diagnostics, troubleshooting, repair and circuit construction. The classes consist of both theory and hands-on practice in different interdisciplinary domains which include programmable logic controls, and digital electronics.
Lane Community College -
Lane Community College is a two-year comprehensive community college that is located in Lake County, Ohio. The community college was established in 1967 and has a total population of more than 12,000 students. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It offers more than 100 associate degree courses and technical certificate programs. The aim of the community college is to provide the students with an excellent learning experience and sustains both natural and cultural resources. The community college ensures high-quality education and learning opportunities and creating a diverse culture by respecting and celebrating the difference among the students and the community. The college commits in setting high standards of both personal and professional behavior with the campus and empowers the students to be creative and innovative in their thinking and performance.
Lane Community College provides two programs related to the field of electricity - Electronic Engineering Technology and Industrial Electronics. The Electronic Engineering Technology program enables the students to understand the electrical and electronic systems and prototypes, Build, calibrate, and repair electrical instruments or testing equipment, assess the solutions to technical design problems which emerges during construction of electrical systems and be able to examine the designs for quality control, report findings, and make recommendations. On the other hand, upon completion of the program, Industrial Electronics, the students learn on how to create the cost estimates for the clients, repair or replace defective parts, such as motors, fuses, or gaskets, be able to reassemble and test equipment after repairs and learn how to maintain the records of the parts used, labor time and total charges. The students will also be instructed on how to operate heavy equipment such as signal generators, and manual tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches.
Belmont College -
Belmont College is a two-year public college located in St. Clairsville, Ohio. It was founded in 1971 and has served the communities in the Ohio Valley for more than 30 years. It has multiple campuses located in different areas of Ohio - Monroe County Center located in Monroe County, and the North Center located in Cadiz. The aim of the college is to provide the student to achieve their educational and career goals. The college offers on-site and online classes for a variety of credit and non-credit programs including Building Preservation/Restoration; Business, Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Engineering Technology, Industrial Trades, Nursing/Health Sciences, and Public Safety. The college also offers the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs, which constitutes the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
Belmont College offers two associate’s degrees in the field of electricity. Industrial Electronics Technology program enables the students to understand the theory and operation of basic industrial systems, learn to read and understand blueprints and schematic diagrams, to be able to install and connect components and circuits used in basic industrial systems and analyze, test, troubleshoot, and repair components and circuits used in basic industrial systems. The program, Industrial Technology Process Technician, teaches the students on how to examine and maintain equipment, take samples, record data, troubleshoot problems, and study products on a routine basis, how to maintain the environmental standards, comprehend the role of a chemical operator in control rooms and be able to maintain the safe manufacture of products. The college also provides certificate programs on electricity which includes Maintenance Technician I Certificate and Maintenance Technician II Certificate. Upon completion of these programs, the student will be able to understand the theory and operation of basic industrial systems in a safe workplace environment, master the process on how to read and understand blueprints, schematic diagrams and interpret National Codes and be able to repair and install components and program devices used in basic industrial systems.
Requirements and Resources
http://www.com.ohio.gov/dico/ocilb/LicenseQualificationProcess.aspx
http://www.aeciec.org/apprentice.asp
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