Most apprenticeship sponsors require applicants for apprentice positions to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. For those interested in becoming maintenance electricians, a background in electronics is increasingly important because of the growing use of complex electronic controls on manufacturing equipment. Most localities require electricians to be licensed. Although licensing requirements vary from area to area, electricians usually must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and local electric and building codes. Electricians periodically take courses offered by their employer or union to keep abreast of changes in the National Electrical Code, materials, or methods of installation.
Experienced electricians can become supervisors and then superintendents.
Those with sufficient capital and management skills may start their own contracting business, although this may require an electrical contractor's license. There is expected to be a shortage of skilled workers during the next decade because of the anticipated smaller pool of young workers entering training programs. Employment of electricians is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008. Nearly two-thirds of wage and salaried electricians are concentrated in the construction industry, which is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all industries. Nevertheless, as the population and economy grow, more electricians will be needed to install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes, factories, offices, and other structures.