With cities continuing to expand, one thing that is of utmost importance is electricity and its supply. Electricians are professionals who will continue to be in demand, since there is always a need to install new wiring and set up power supply networks for rural and urban areas. If you are interested in entering this field, you will need to complete formal training. While many students choose to complete this training from technical schools and similar institutions, some are choosing an online electrician certification program.
Why Should You Consider This?
Online courses offer several advantages over their campus-based counterparts. For starters, you aren't limited by a physical classroom and a rigid schedule. As long as you have an internet connection and a computer, you are able to access course material from anywhere you wish. This means that students may work through the material at their own pace and at their own convenience. Students may also save money by enrolling an online electrician certification program. These programs are generally shorter in duration, and focus on training students in the essentials required for the field. As a result, they may be cheaper than on-campus programs.
What Will I Learn?
Your curriculum will depend largely on whether you choose training as a residential or commercial electrician. In a residential electrician training program, you will be taught how to set up internal wiring in a house and offices, and also how to ensure that the installations are safe and compliant with national standards. Furthermore, you will be trained how to troubleshoot repair problems and any other issues which may arise in the field. Commercial electricians will be taken through a more rigorous curriculum; involving topics on how to set up entire power systems and monitor them for smooth functioning. They will deal with transformers and circuit breakers, and understand how to ensure their performance compliance with international standards. Both types of training will require students to understand blueprints and follow instructions carefully. As a result, a strong emphasis of these certification programs is to develop the analytical skills of their applicants.
Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20 percent growth in the field between 2012 and 2022. This growth rate is faster than the national average of all occupations, and could mean that there may be more and more opportunities to get involved in the field. As people become more aware of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power, and begin to apply them in their own homes, electricians will become more important. These professionals will have to install and maintain these systems. There are also opportunities to be found in the construction industry, where electricians will set up the wiring for a given space once the building is erected. Those wishing to continue their education may enroll in additional training courses, which could help them develop their skill set in line with personal and professional goals. With this added training, you may be able to apply for senior level jobs as well.