Bright idea for a new career
Electricians keep world powered up
Electricians are vital to keeping our world powered up.
Electricians bring electricity into homes, businesses and factories. Jackson Community College offers an associate degree and certificate in electrician and a concentration in electrical basics. Those attending JCC may seek work in the electrical field, or continue in an apprenticeship with a registered program such as the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
“Students can seek work in residential, commercial or industrial areas,” said Jack Malone, assistant professor overseeing the electrical program at JCC. “Our classes are highly valued by employers in the area. The training we give is widely recognized as quality.”
Residential electricians work in housing construction, commercial electricians work in wiring buildings such as retail stores and businesses, and industrial electricians work in manufacturing settings. Electricians focus on either construction or maintenance, and many do both. Those who work in new construction often see cyclical shifts in their work, while those in maintenance work more steadily. To ensure safety, electricians follow the National Electrical Code, and state and local building codes.
Student Clint Helinski plans to earn his associate degree in electrician, and hopes to work in renewable energy. “I’ve always been interested in electrical,” Helinski said. “I enjoy that it’s always different, there are always new things to learn. It is rewarding to me to be able to troubleshoot problems and keep things working the way they should.”
JCC’s program provides instruction in all areas of electrical work, and with the concentration and certificate option, some students may take a few courses and find work in the field,
then continue to the associate degree to improve their opportunities. Interested students should have a desire to learn, be interested in active, mobile and hands-on work, and enjoy work
of an analytical, problem-solving nature.
“These jobs aren’t going away, and it’s one field that cannot be off-shored,” Malone said. “In the future we’re going to use more electricity rather than less. The use of alternative energy products, like wind, solar, and fuel cells, will also affect electricians.”
The College is working toward providing courses in renewable and alternative energy.
Employment of electricians is expected to grow over the next several years, with demand varying by geography and local economies. Median earnings were $20.97 per hour, about $43,000 per year, ranging from $12.76 per hour up to $34.95 per hour.
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