IBEW 14 Apprentice Electrician

A day in the life of an apprentice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdMFzlEzaug 

The duties of an electrician are numerous and varied, presenting an exciting challenge to individuals seeking a career in this field. Inside construction electricians lay out, assemble, install and test electrical circuits, fixtures, appliances, equipment and machinery. They must be able to install electrical lighting, heating, cooling and control systems in various types of structures, i.e.: residences, commercial and industrial establishments, schools, hospitals, libraries and other buildings. They are frequently called on to make sophisticated installations involving electrical motors, controllers, transformers, switchgear and other electrical apparatus.

To cope with their tasks, construction electricians must be able to apply the sciences learned during apprenticeship training. They must also be able to use diverse electrical formulas and computations associated with their work, such as determining the size of electrical service conductors, feeders and branch circuits.

In addition to wiring buildings and industrial plants, construction electricians install street lighting systems, motorized equipment for bridges, machinery and wiring for power plants and substations, sophisticated communications, alarm and security systems. They also carry on a host of other projects that fall within the domain of the building trades. They must be familiar with the National Electrical Code, which sets forth acceptable standards governing electrical installations.

Employment for construction electricians is somewhat seasonal. There usually are more employment opportunities in the summer than during the winter season, especially in parts of the country, like Wisconsin, where the winters tend to be severe.

Work of the construction electrician, like that of the other building trade workers, is active and requires a moderate degree of physical strength. It calls for an alert and attentive mind. This work can be dangerous. It can deal with high places, using lifts, scaffolds and ladders. It can deal with underground excavations and trenches. It can also deal with enclosed spaces. Journey worker duties can include construction and maintenance work on dead or energized circuits.

Construction electricians are crafts workers, and like all genuine skilled workers, they derive satisfaction and pleasure from utilizing both their minds and hands in a constructive manner.