Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Job Description
Job duties and tasks for an Electrician include but are not limited to:
Entry-Level Education
None
On-the-job Training
Apprenticeship
583,500
114,700
According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, in order to
become an electrician a high school diploma is required. Some electricians start by attending a
technical school and then usually receive credit toward their 4-5 year apprenticeship.
Electricians may be required to take continuing education courses.
Specific laws for the state of Utah include additional guidelines. Listed under the state law code:
R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing. Rule R156-55b. Electricians
Licensing Act Rule.
Qualifications for LicensureEducation and Experience Requirements (Section 302a):
(a) a program of electrical study approved by the Utah Board of Regents, Utah College of
Applied Technology Board of Trustees or other out of state program that is deemed
substantially equivalent as determined by the Electricians Licensing Board. Programs approved
by the Electricians Licensing Board prior to January 1, 2009 remain approved programs; and
(b) at least two years of work experience as a licensed apprentice consistent with Section
R156-55b-302b.
(2) In accordance with Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(i), the approved four year planned
training program for licensure as a journeyman electrician consists of:
(a) a program of electrical study approved by the Utah Board of Regents, Utah College of
Applied Technology Board of Trustees or other out of state program that is deemed
substantially equivalent as determined by the Electricians Licensing Board. Programs approved
by the Electricians Licensing Board prior to January 1, 2009 remain approved programs; and
(b) at least four years of work experience as a licensed apprentice consistent with Section
R156-55b-302b.
(3) A semester of school shall include at least 81 hours of classroom instruction time. A
student shall attend a minimum of 72 hours to receive credit for the semester.
(4) A competency exam shall be given to each student at the end of each semester with the
exception of the fourth year second semester. A student, to continue to the next semester, shall
achieve a score of 75% or higher on the competency exam. A student who scores below 75%
may retake the test one time.
(5) The applicant shall pass each class with a minimum score of 75%.
(6) Competency test results shall be provided to the Board at the Board meeting immediately
following the semester in a format approved by the Board.
(7) An applicant for a master electrician license, applying pursuant to Subsection 58-55302(3)(f)(i) shall be a graduate of an electrical program accredited by the Engineering
Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary in 2012 for an electrician
was $49,840 per year/$23.96 per hour
(BLS, n.d.)
Career Outlook
BLS speculates that from 2012 to 2022 the electrician employment is projected to grow by 20
percent. This is faster that the average for all occupations. Electricians with the widest variety
of skills should have the best job opportunities.
(BLS, n.d.)
Bio of Professional
During my interview with Clayton Haight, owner and operator of Clayton Construction I learned
that requirements for an electrician have changed greatly over the last 20 years in the state of
Utah. Following directly after high school Clayton began working for a soil testing company in
the Greater Salt Lake area. After several years he decided to venture in to construction, he
advised that he was always interested in concrete work, electrical was more of a hobby at that
time. Clayton shared that he has always learned more with hands on experience and working
with men and women that knew what they were doingall the while being able to see it in
personmuch more so than learning from an instructor. Clayton stated it was much more
difficult to read from a physical book and put in unpaid time assisting electricians and engineers
than it is now days when anyone can look up just about anything on youtube and other websites.
It wasnt until the early 90s, after Clayton had independently hard wired several homes, all of
which passed inspection that he decided to become certified and licensed. Clayton attended
Trade Tech where he completed required classes he needed to take the state licensing test.
Clayton was able to claim several of his work hours throughout that period as apprenticeship
hours with the help of the supervisors that oversaw his work.
Clayton now owns and operates Clayton Construction and works primarily in the concrete
business, but does still maintain his licensing as an electrical contractor. The job market for
electricians has changed dramatically. It was mentioned many times that electrical engineers are
more sought after than electricians therefore the pay scale hasnt increased greatly.
The interview was extremely productive. I was able to ask many questions and was grateful to
get advice from someone actually in the field rather than a website. This was a very beneficial
assignment.
(C. Haight, personal interview, August 1, 2015)
Pros and Cons
Pros include:
Challenging
Average to higher salary
Job Security based on need (need is higher)
Able to work independently
Disadvantages:
REFERENCES
C. Haight, personal interview, August 1, 2015
"Electrician" Job Description - Part 1. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2015, from http://jobdescriptions.careerplanner.com/electricians.cfm
BLS, (n.d.), Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians. Retrieved August 1, 2015, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-4
Utah Department of Administrative Services Division of Administrative Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved
July 31, 2015, from http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r156/r156-55b.htm
What is Apprenticeship? (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2015, from http://www.uejatc.org/