Electrical Contractors Education and Training

Get charged up for a career as an electrical contractor
By Harrison Howe If you're thinking about joining the world of electric contractors, you'll likely want to consider what type of electrical contractors education and training might be necessary or beneficial to your chosen career path. While no formal education is required to become an electrician contractor, there are some avenues you can pursue for education and training.

Whether you're planning on owning your own electrical business or working for a commercial electrical contractor, you'll find it helpful to enroll in technical school classes, take an apprenticeship or join workshops through an electrical contractors association. If you feel you're ready to get your electrical contractors license, consider the ways you can learn and train take the next step:

1. Look into technical schools or colleges offering programs for electrical contractors.
2. Take advantage of electrical contractor apprenticeships.
3. Get electrical contractor information about workshops and classes available through an electrical contractors association.
   

Get a degree from a technical or trade school to become an electrical contractor

A formal degree from a college or university is not a prerequisite to becoming an electrical contractor. You can write up and sign an electrical contract, submit electrical contractor bids and even run your own electrical business without a bachelor's or master's degree. But you might consider a technical degree in electrical contracting available from many vocational or technical schools.
Try:  The Porter and Chester Institute is a technical school which teaches industrial, residential and commercial electrical installation, the National Electrical Code and prepares you for the licensing exam. The Baran Institute of Technology has an electrical technology program that teaches electrical basics and prepares you to apprentice or work with a licensed electrician.

Learn and earn through electrical contractor apprenticeship programs

Few things can compare to hands-on training in almost any field, including electrical contracting. Working in an electrical contractor apprenticeship program allows you to work with experienced and successful electrical contractors, while earning money at the same time. Some apprenticeships may even combine classroom training with field work.
Try:  Get on-the-job training through the formal four-year apprenticeship program offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater Cincinnati. The Carolinas Electrical Contractors Association has an award-winning apprenticeship program of hands-on and classroom training which includes blueprint reading and power hand tool safety as part of the curriculum.

Research learning tools available through electrical contractor associations

Several councils and associations exist for electrical contractors that can assist those just starting out or even offer continuing education to already-established electrical contractors. Taking part in programs offered by these associations can be a major step in electrical contractors education and training.
Try:  Attend the Management Education Institute of the National Electrical Contractors Association and learn marketing, job management, electrical project supervision and more. Associated Builders and Contractors, with the National Electrical Contractors Council, offers conferences, workshops and programs to help educate and train electrical contractors.

• Consider enlisting in the Armed Forces and take advantage of many areas of study, including learning electrical systems, that can help you begin a career as an electrical contractor.