Others participate in employer training programs or apprenticeships. Job opportunities are expected to be very good for qualified electricians. Most people acquire their skills by completing a formal four or five-year apprenticeship program. In contrast to other construction trades, about a third of all electricians work in industries other than construction. Nature of the Work Electricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security, and communications.
Most electricians specialize in either construction or maintenance, but a growing number do both.
Electricians work with blueprints when they install electrical systems in factories, homes, and other structures. They must follow the National Electric Code as well as State and local building codes when installing these systems. In addition to wiring a building s electrical system, electricians may install coaxial or fiber optic cable for computers and other telecommunications equipment. They also may connect motors to electrical power and install electronic controls for industrial equipment. Maintenance electricians spend much of their time in preventive maintenance.