Electricians are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical systems in buildings, including homes, factories, offices and retail stores. They install wiring systems, outlets and light switches; inspect circuit breakers and transformers; and repair and replace wiring when needed.

“The electricians in our program can be doing anything from residential to commercial to industrial wiring,” says Derrick Atkins, training director at Minneapolis Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. The Minneapolis Electrical JATC operates a nonprofit training center for electricians in St. Michael, Minnesota, a collaboration between the Minneapolis chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 292.

Electricians work in a variety of settings and specialties – basically, anywhere electricity is used. Atkins says there are different opportunities in all kinds of areas from solar and renewables, to building automation, and residential or commercial wiring.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% employment growth for electricians between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 49,200 jobs should open up.

Electricians usually go through an apprenticeship program that lasts four or five years. Apprenticeship programs consist of classroom instruction and practical on-the-job training. While these programs typically only require a high school diploma or equivalent for admission, some people choose to first earn an associate in applied science degree in electrical construction or another related field from a technical college.

“Technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid practices,” according to the BLS. “They may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems and elevators.”

Electricians need to be licensed to practice in most states, although license requirements vary. In some states, these requirements are set at the local level rather than the state level, so anyone pursuing a career as an electrician should learn their municipality’s licensing requirements. License types also vary – some states have one license for all electricians, while others have specialty licenses such as journeyman electrician and master electrician.

In Minnesota, where Atkins works, apprentices must be registered as unlicensed electricians with the state Department of Labor and Industry and work under the supervision of a licensed journeyworker until they qualify to sit for a licensing exam themselves.

“Once you get that license, you’re allowed legally to work by yourself, unsupervised,” Atkins says of his state’s Class A journeyworker electrician license.