Certification Levels of the Different Electrician Types
There are three main types of electricians: Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician. During your Electrical Technology training at North American Trade Schools, you’ll learn about each and how they differ. NATS will help you match which electrical career may suit your wants and needs the most as you progress through the program.
Apprentice
If you’re looking into an entry-level electrical job, the Apprentice Electrician path is a great start! You’ll never be alone with this training and typically follow an experienced electrician around to gain insight. You can become an apprentice upon graduating from NATS and get paid while you learn on the job. With hands-on training, you will learn on-the-job skills within the residential, commercial, and industrial fields. Students who complete the NATS program can achieve their NCCER Core and Electrical 1 Certification, OSHA 10.
Journeyman Electrician
A Journeyman Electrician is more experienced than an apprentice and can work independently. Journeyman electricians are licensed electricians who can work on everything from lighting, power, control systems, and more. Journeyman electricians will earn a higher salary than apprentices but still may have to do on-the-job training as equipment becomes more and more updated. NATS’ program will help prepare you for this skilled trade job with the knowledge and skills of residential and commercial wiring, machine and electronic control, and telecommunications.
Master Electrician
The Master Electrician has the highest level of skills and training for electricians. This professional has completed around 4,000 hours on the job as a journeyman and passed all their electrical certifications. A Master Electrician can excel in various positions and usually oversees a group of other electricians on a project. These skilled workers’ salaries vary, but some of the highest-paid can make six figures.
Electrical Technology Careers
After completing exams and gaining their license, NATS graduates have careers in multiple entry-level jobs in the field, including:
- Electrical Technician
- Low Voltage Technician
- Instrument Repairer
- Cable-Splicer
- Machine Repair Technician
- Solar Installation Technician
- Service Installer
- Electric Motor Analyst and Repairer
- Electronic Repairer
- Equipment Repairer
Electricians are in high demand and have become increasingly needed as technology progresses! Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for electricians is expected to grow by 7% between 2021 and 2031.
Training at North American Trade Schools
Students who enroll in the Electrical Technology program will learn in the classroom and our electrical lab. The program is 39 weeks for daytime classes and 58 weeks for evening classes. Students will get hands-on learning with residential and commercial wiring, machine control, and much more. After graduating, NATS’ career services department will help you find career opportunities to apply for.
Antwan McKisset, a NATS Electrical Technology graduate, says he called the school and visited on the same day. It inspired him to begin his journey as an electrician. “I liked everything they had, the setup, and there were students here working on projects,” explained McKisset. “I just felt this was right for me! Not only am I getting the theory of it, but they are showing me how it works.” Electrical students will also receive training in basic motor controls (PLC), photovoltaics (solar energy), and electronics.