Let say I'm an immigrant here in the U.S.A.
and I want to be an electrician, probably a master electrician. I got some knowledge
on electrical works. Is there a way for me
to become one, by just going to a trade school and learn and study to become a
licensed electrician.
I have went to an IBEW chapter here in my
place and they want me to start as an apprentice and be hooked for the apprentice
position for 5 years. I think with my
experience, not that I'm downgrading them,
I feel that I already pass that training.
Any suggestion, how I could approach
becoming an electrician without
joining a group like the IBEW.
thanks.
It surely varies from state to state but in NJ (and alot of other places) you have to work fulltime for five years under a licensed electrician and then you can take the exam.
Or get a 4 year degree in electrical engineering and 1 year hands on experience.
I think you may be underestimating what is really involved in becoming an electrician her in the US, most of what we all have learned over the years is not found in any one book or school...Take those apprentice hours,you'll be a better electrician for it.If you truly feel head and shoulders ahead of them all ,after you are involved in it for a while and proven your knowledge and proficiency ask about placement testing. the Ibew is a good organization and there apprenticeship is one of the best I have seen.
I understand your frustration with the time requirements, but trust me they are there to protect all of us from the fly by night electrician. Good luck
[This message has been edited by mlk682 (edited 05-18-2003).]
[This message has been edited by mlk682 (edited 05-18-2003).]
Thor
All States and localaties that license have a period of time for training apprentices to the journeyman stage. 4 years on the job is common. 5 years of time is usually needed because of time between jobs and other lost time. Then you will need at least one years experience before you can become eligable to take the master test. Some jurisdictions require more time.
This training is necessary. How well the training is done is another question. Several routes are availble. The IBEW is one, a local ABC site is another, so are some community colleges, then there is self study with books from various training companies. Or you can go to a 4 year college an get an EE degree. What ever you choose the self study will never stop if you want to keep current in this profession.
Once you make you choice I wish you good luck.
Thank you all for your reply.
The truth is I already tried applying at
IBEW in our area and because of slight conformance with the rules
I didn't make it. I understand , rules are rules, and they should not be brolen.
I want to an master electrician and be
an Electrical contractor someday.
Training I got something too.
I started as my job as a trainee too
For one year I did on the job training
and after work classes for 2 hours a day.
The job training and classes was Power
transformer, distribution and transmission lines, residential and industrial metering,
substation circuit breakers and switches,
lighting calculation, protective relaying and instrument transformer and estinmating.
Work on this field for 10 years.
When I come in this country I landed
some electronics job untill now that
electronic high tech is on the slump.
I want to go back in the electrical field,
my old vocation. I'm rusty but still have the concept and the knowhow , how some things work.
If IBEW have just look on my resume, not
on their requirement, Do you think I qualified ? .
I want to go to motor and motors control,
I like to work in programmable logic controllers.
Again thanks for the replies.