Electrician

Job description

This apprenticeship leads to the General Journeyman Electrician license. Inside electricians perform electrical installations, construction, maintenance, repair, and service. They work on electrical construction projects ranging from single-family residences to state-of-the-art industrial plants. They install conduits and wire lighting, switches, converters, and complex computerized systems

Working conditions

Electricians work outside in the mud, dirt, cold, sun, rain, and snow; inside homes and climate controlled modern offices; and in clean rooms in hospitals and manufacturing plants. The work requires standing, bending, crawling, lifting, climbing, pulling, and reaching and working in cramped spaces or on ladders and scaffolding. Hazards include falling, electric shocks, burns, and falling objects.

Length of apprenticeship

The apprenticeship is a four to five year program. Apprentices must complete a minimum of 144 to 180 hours per year of related classroom training and at least 8,000 hours on-the-job training.

Journey level electricians must have a state license. Upon completion of the program, apprentices are referred to the Oregon Building Codes Division for the licensing exam.

Minimum qualifications

Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 17 years of age to apply, and 18 to begin the program. In addition, they must provide proof of high school graduation or general education development (GED) equivalent, and complete at least one year of high school algebra or post high school algebra course with a passing grade of 'C.' Apprenticeship committees may require additional qualifications.

Wages

Beginning apprentices start at approximately 40 percent of the journey-level wage. Upon successful completion of required related class work and on-the-job hours, wages increase periodically until the journey-level rate is reached.