Alexfranklin

Hey. I am currently in grade 11 and i would like to be an electrician as a career path. I already picked my grade 12 courses that i thought would help me with the job. Would you have any tips for me before i get on the job site.

480sparky

1. Read.

2. Study.

3. Ask questions. Prolifically. There are no stupid questions.

4. Read some more.

5. Study some more.

6. Ask more questions. This forum is just fine for asking.


7. Greetings and welcome!

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micromind

I'd suggest also, when you look for work, and especially your first day on the job, LOOK like an electrician.

Around here, if you were to show up in shorts, sunglasses, sandals, etc. you'll have a much harder time earning the respect of the other guys.

If its Levis, flannel shirt, and leather boots, you'll fit right in.

Attitude is everything! The company I've worked for for the past 18 years will hire anyone. Even the shorts/ sunglasses/ sandals type. They send them out to us foremen. Most guys last about 2 hours. Me and another foreman were talking about this just the other day. We figure we've seen about 1000 guys (I'm not kidding) come and go here in the last 15 years. About 30 of these were keepers. They still work for us, and are well taken care of. 4 of them are foremen now. They all have the same basic attitude; I'm going to show up on time, hit it as hard as I can, and learn everything I possibly can. These guys are set for life, and you can be too.

I don't know about Canada, but around here, there's alot more guys my age bailing out of the trades than younger guys getting in. That can only be good for the younger ones. Pay is going up, and so is the respect factor. It's a great time to be getting into the trades.

Best of luck, Rob

randomkiller

micromind nice answer and sentiment. As for the OP welcome to the group. Look up some of the old posts on guys coming into the trade and read them. There have been new guys that have come and gone on here in the short time I have been a member. I guess they didn't listen to the advice. Attitude is two thirds of the battle, part of that area is dress code (which includes body jewelry). When around live circuitry the less metal on your body the better off you are.

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leland

Welcome! we need a few good people!!
All great advice above. Much more to come.

Great time to enter the field!!!

Bottom line: What do you want? Think from the other sides perspective (employer). If you have that, your in.
(I don't meen kiss a##--oops---Butt).

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waco

Get all the business courses you can get. The owners are the only ones who make any money in the trade -- in any trade.

randomkiller

For the hours I work I am happy with the money I make.

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A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

"One Nation Under God"

Alexfranklin

I work on a hay farm currently so i know what the dress code is and i wear no body accesories. I think this is the right job for me. Thats what i am planning to do, is own my company some day and make the real moola.

micromind

Farm experience is a big plus. On good-sized commercial and industrial jobs I frequently operate heavy equipment. Driving a forklift is alot different than driving a car. lol. Plus, you're already used to hard physical work.

You're certainly headed in the right direction.

Rob

p_logix

Not sure what your talking about, with the available overtime making over six figures great pension, 401K, benefits, financially stable and happy. Never took any business courses.

To AlexFranklin Thats great you are starting early, i decided myself to be an electrician in the 8th grade. Its a very challenging and rewarding field. To many young kids these days just want a easy desk job and not to many young kids even thinkinking about going into a trade which requires physical work. You will continue to see a shortage of electricians over the upcoming years and an increase in wages in my oppinion. Just remember study hard, have a good attitude, be willing to learn, listen and follow directions and you'll be alright. And one final thing never show up to a new job with all brand new cherry tools.

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p_logix
"Meggers Don't Lie, Electricians Lie". Go LAKERS!!!!