Becoming a master electrician is the focus in the final of the 4-part entrepreneurial series we had focused on the vocational fields. Let’s do a quick review of the electrical contracting industry.
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It's [the electrical contracting industry] a massive industry valued at more than $130 billion annually. More than 70,000 electrical contracting firms and 650,000+ electrical workers contribute to the electrical contracting industry in the U.S., by delivering power and communications to homes, businesses, and public services providers. [Source: Electricians School Edu]
While the global crisis is going to shift things significantly in ALL industries, this seems to be an industry that will continue to make some headway and not be completely shut down. This remains to be seen, but thus far, this is the case. The major challenge we’re not clear on is the impact that the economic fall will have, so we’ll just put a pin on that point.
The “master electrician” is the highest professional title in the trade, and at this point, you are allowed to work all on your own; you can bid for jobs, pull permits, layout wiring, and do installations. You could start your own contracting business, so it’s a great entrepreneurial path if that’s what you ultimately seek.
But there are different licenses that you could get as a master electrician with a limited or unlimited license. You can work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings, and you would, after this training is received, have a full comprehension of the National Electrical Code and electrical theory.
Your education wouldn’t stop once you get to the master electrician’s license level. You’ll have to keep up with the changes in building codes, related regulations, and electronics since this is a rapidly changing space.
A master electrician license allows electricians to pull permits, design electrical systems, supervise job sites, and other electricians– and then the next step is an electrical contractor’s license.
To get to the next-next level, you could get an electrical contractor license. This type of license is a business license, while a master electrician license is a professional license (you can’t get the contractor’s license without holding the master electrician license). This is pretty standard, but, of course, some states have different requirements.
Contractor licenses do come with their own set of eligibility requirements. This can mean that you’ll have to pass an examination and meet specific experience requirements.
“I am currently working toward getting my Contractors License or ‘C-10.’ I believe continuing your education is a must. Getting your Journeyman license is the minimum requirement in the trade, but it’s essential to learn new skills and educate yourself, which is how you make a long career out of this trade.” - Daniel Stall, Project Manager
So, there you have it. Our 4-part series is now complete and is meant to provide in how you can discover a whole new path in your life, and, right now, I think that’s going to be one of the most important ways to continue to seek out vitality in life. Learn new things, break old patterns, and seek new learnings to take you into the next era. It’s going to get weird, but there’s always an opportunity in crisis.
Perhaps this is your chance to try a whole new career path! We’re here to answer questions, so reach out to us at any point. We are seeking hard-working apprentices and journeymen to join our crew. Could it be you?