Construction and Extraction occupations are expected to grow by about 10% by 2016. This is according to the Occupational Quarterly Outlook (2007). While this is not the leading occupational group growth, it is still on the increase. More than half of these new jobs will be to replace older, retired workers (OQO, 2007)
Construction and Extraction occupations include skilled trades such as, Boilermakers, Masons, Carpenters, Carpet Installers, Building Inspectors, Drywall Installers, Gas and Oil workers, and Electricians, to name a few. You can see a more complete list in the Occupation Outlook Handbook, under the Construction and Extraction tab. For an entry level position in one of these fields a high school diploma or equivalent is needed.
While the projected growth for Construction and extraction job as a whole is only 10%, the growth for Electricians is much higher. As of 2010 there were 577,000 electrician jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the projected job growth for this trade is 23% between 2010 and 2020. This is faster growth than all other occupations. This growth will be caused by more new homes and business being built that need wired. There will be more alternative power such as, wind and solar too. This will require new skills for electricians. There is expected to be 133,700 new jobs.
The average pay for a skilled electrician is $48,250 a year or $23.20 an hour. Most electricians will only need a high school diploma or the equivalent, although some will choose to attend a technical school. They will learn their trade through a 4 year apprenticeship. This is on the job training. During each year of training, electrical apprentices will complete 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2000 hands on, on the job training. If one were to attend a technical school that would be applied toward their apprenticeship. Starting pay for an electrical apprentice is usually 30% to 50% of what a fully trained Electrician will make. They will receive pay increases as they learn. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics fully trained electricians earn more than most other construction and trade workers and only about one third of all electricians are union members. Once their 4 year apprentice program is completed electricians are considered journeyman and may become licensed to work on their own. Most states require licensure.
Electricians install and maintain electrical systems. This may be in homes, businesses, or factories. Their duties may include; read blueprints or technical diagrams before doing work, install and maintain wiring and lighting systems, inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers, identify electrical problems with a variety of testing devices, repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools, follow state and local building regulations based on the National Electric Code, direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring or equipment. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Electricians) Electricians work both inside and outside. They often work in cramped spaces, on their knees. There is often a lot of heavy lifting and bending required. This can be tiring. Most Electricians work full time. When there are constructions deadlines to meet, they often work overtime, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Electricians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm (visited January 31, 2013).
Fall 2007 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, accessed January 31,2013, http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2007/fall/art02.pdf