Electricians are an asset to any business or home. They keep your lights on, your computers running, and your appliances running. Becoming an electrician is a great way to build a rewarding career in the trades. Here are 5 key reasons why you should go to school to become an electrician!

1) You're a hands-on worker who likes to be active

First and foremost, the idea of being an electrician sounds great to you. You enjoy working with your hands, being a problem solver, and getting out on the road to job sites. You're a motivated, dependable worker ready to take on projects independently, or as part of a crew. A career as an electrician is challenging, rewarding, and fun!

2) You're looking for an accelerated path into the field

When thinking about how to start your career as an electrician, know that most states require electricians to be licensed. For many, the path to licensure starts by attending a technical or trade school. In a program like Electrical Technology offered at Porter and Chester Institute, students can graduate in as few as 12 months! As a graduate, you'll have a solid foundation of basic electrical theory and the technical skills needed to start your new career.

3) You want to train in a program that offers flexibility

One of the benefits of attending a technical or trade school is the potential for flexible learning that best fits your schedule. For example, the training in the Electrical Technology program at Porter and Chester Institute is split between online and on-campus classes. This hybrid format allows for online learning and lecture to be completed on your own schedule, while hands-on work in an industry-modeled electrical lab is scheduled two days per week. It's not just what you learn; it's also how you learn it!

4) You want a career that's in-demand

As we know, electricity is all around us, keeping the demand for electricians strong. In fact, employment of electricians is expected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031 as projected by the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, many electricians and skilled trades workers are nearing retirement, creating a real need for replacement workers. In fact, the average age of electricians is 43 years old with 58% of electricians 40 years or older.

5) You want to increase your income

Training to be an electrician can improve your earning potential! In May 2021, the nation-wide median annual wage for electricians was $60,040 - over $12,000 more than the median annual wages for all construction trades workers and $14,000 more than all occupations. Most electricians work full time, some find overtime opportunities, and those who are self-employed may be able to set their own schedule!

Are you confident that becoming an electrician is the right plan for you? You can get the skills to begin your career as an electrician in as few as 12 months at Porter and Chester Institute. Our Electrical Technology lab includes several studded-out walls as well as a stick-built house where you'll practice commercial and residential wiring techniques under the leadership of qualified, experienced instructors. Visit our Electrical Technology program page to learn more and request information.