Explaining Electrical Apprenticeships & Different Career Paths

Working as an electrician provides many career opportunities. The ongoing reliance on electrical systems provides you with a high level of job security. One of the best ways to begin your career as an electrician is by securing an electrical apprenticeship. The skills and experience you gain can lead to your first full-time job.

Find out what an electrical apprenticeship involves and what some of your career options may be.

Education 

A high school diploma or GED is needed to gain an electrical apprenticeship. An emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, physics, shop, and mechanical drawing is important. When you secure an electrical apprenticeship, you typically have 4 weeks of classroom training per year for 4-5 years. This training should include electrical theory, current safety measures, and related information. Once you complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training, you graduate to a journeyman electrician. This additional experience provides you with greater earning potential. If you decide to become a master electrician, you typically need to work an average of 2 years, complete at least 4,000 documented hours as a journeyman electrician, take classes, and pass a test. Then, you can work unsupervised, pull permits, supervise other electricians, and train electrical apprentices. Reaching this level can further increase your earning power.

Job Duties

In an electrical apprenticeship, your tasks are determined by the journeyman electrician, who is your supervisor. Initially, you’ll learn to read schematics and gather tools and materials for the job. As you gain experience, you might install conduits or new wiring, replace old or damaged wiring, or install lighting, fire alarms, or security systems under close supervision. Other tasks may include mounting panel boards, switches, and other equipment or troubleshooting and repairing equipment.

Licenses and Certifications

Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed. Contact your local or state electrical licensing board to determine the requirements for licensure. You may need to work for several years as a journeyman electrician supervised by a master electrician.

Maintenance and Construction Careers

If you like working in different areas, then you may want a career in maintenance and construction. Typical duties include wiring and working on repairs for residential buildings. You can work with the construction team to bring electricity to the structure.

Industrial Establishment Careers

If you want to perform electrical work in different industries, you may choose a career in an industrial establishment. Most work involves installation, essential maintenance, and repairs for switchboard meters, industrial storage batteries, and hydraulic electrical control units. The more basic aspects include wiring, assembling fiber-optic cables, and installing and repairing light fixtures.

Network Cabling Careers

If you want to help set up communication systems, you may choose a career in network cabling. You may install and maintain data systems for internet providers, ensure proper video transmissions for telecommunications, or maintain the communication systems of educational institutions and industry offices.

Find an Electrical Apprenticeship

Work with Trade Management to secure an electrical apprenticeship. Register with us today.

How to Upskill Your Tradesmen and Close the Skills Gap

Many skilled trades lack enough workers to fill labor demands. With increasing numbers of experienced professionals retiring, fewer skilled tradespeople are replacing them. Because of this skills gap, training and upskilling are more critical now than ever. As a skilled trades employer, you need to offer your workforce the programs and opportunities needed to develop the skills to complete your projects.

Choose among these three methods to effectively increase the skill sets of your tradespeople.

1. Offer Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow workers to gain the education and experience needed to succeed in a skilled trade. Combining classroom instruction with hands-on training under the supervision of journey-level tradespeople provides the foundation for a long-term career. Jobsite safety, building codes, OSHA regulations, and technical documentation and blueprints are among the knowledge and skills gained. Other hard skills can be taught through guided instruction. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and work ethic are developed as well.

2. Use Technology

Customized technology can identify which of your tradespeople require training and development to enhance their skill set. Having real-time access to this data improves overall operations from the office to the field. For instance, the technology can show project managers which workers need retraining or upskilling in certain areas to complete tasks. This technology also shows the certifications that workers possess and potential gaps in other areas that require certification. Additionally, the technology can analyze which workers logged specific amounts of time in a certain area to determine whether they should upskill in related areas of work. Plus, it can match workers’ skills and requirements to tasks and activities, track their training progress, and add custom skills or tags to workers.

3. Partner with a Staffing Agency

Work with a recruiter from a staffing agency that specializes in your trade. You gain skilled temporary, contract, or permanent staff. Because the workers are thoroughly vetted and trained, they are ready to hit the ground running!

Work with Trade Management

Work with a professional recruiter from Trade Management to fill your skilled labor needs. Contact us today.

How an Apprenticeship Can Advance Your Career

Benefits of an Apprenticeship - TradeManagement

Benefits of an Apprenticeship - TradeManagement

When thinking about your career options, have you considered securing an apprenticeship for a skilled trade? This type of paid, on-the-job program provides the education, skills, and experience needed to succeed in a specific industry. The knowledge and training you gain can help you secure full-time employment.

Discover how completion of an apprenticeship can advance your career in a skilled trade.

1. Career Paths

Completing an apprenticeship can lead to a long-term career without a four-year degree. With a high school degree or GED, some of your career options in a skilled trade include construction worker, carpenter, plumber, electrician, HVAC worker, millwright, pipefitter, welder, or painter.

2. Earning While Learning

An apprenticeship serves as both a job and a learning experience. Because education and training are part of your work, you learn and develop skills while on the job. This lets you apply your knowledge and use your talents to increase confidence in your capabilities. You also gain qualifications for long-term employment while earning money to pay your bills. As you complete your apprenticeship, your wages typically increase.

3. Support and Mentorship

An apprenticeship provides you targeted, one-on-one learning with seasoned professionals. You have someone to answer your questions, show you how to develop the skills needed to perform tasks, and help perfect your techniques. Having this type of direct access to colleagues and mentors lets you maximize your strengths, improve on your weaknesses, and apply your learning to real-world experiences. These experienced professionals also can provide advice on contract negotiations, pay expectations, typical work hours, and other aspects of your job and industry.

4. Professional Advancement

Working through an apprenticeship can help you earn a promotion without going back to school. You can advance in your career by developing skills for supervisory or other roles with increased responsibility and pay. Your on-the-job training for company operations, preferences, and leadership styles can help you move into management roles. This typically comes with higher income and greater career satisfaction. Plus, when you complete your apprenticeship, you receive a certified credential that attracts employers. Your knowledge and experience are immediately transferrable to employment opportunities throughout the country.

5. Competitive Advantage

Many employers prefer to hire apprenticeship graduates over candidates who did not complete an apprenticeship. Completing an apprenticeship shows you have the industry knowledge, technical skills, drive, dedication, and strong work ethic needed to succeed in a role. You are serious about your future, are committed to the work provided, and know how to solve problems and overcome obstacles.

Find a Trade Job

Find your first or next trade job with Trade Management. Send us your resume today.

Why Shortening Your Application and Communicating Regularly Are Important to Job Seekers

Candidates interested in filling your job openings want a fast application process and regular communication. Because they tend to have many employment options, job seekers want to apply quickly, know where they are in the process, the next steps, and when they will hear from you. Otherwise, candidates are likely to find work elsewhere.

Discover why a fast application process and ongoing candidate communication are necessary parts of your hiring process.

 

1. Streamlined Application Process

Be sure the job application can be printed in an easy-to-read format and completed in person, at home, or on a mobile device. Job seekers will be more inclined to complete and submit them. Having candidates include their contact information, work experience, education, references, availability, signature, and application date makes it easier to review them. You can see which job seekers meet the requirements and should be contacted for interviews. The other applications can be filed and potentially used to fill future openings.

2. Candidate Relationships

Providing regular communication is part of cultivating relationships with candidates. This includes information about your company, its culture, the job, team, manager, and hiring process. Continuously providing information and transparency builds trust and respect. Job seekers are more likely to remain engaged in the recruitment process when they receive regular updates and know what to expect.

3. Employer Standards and Expectations

The level of communication you provide candidates indicates what they should expect from you if hired. This is why sharing information on an ongoing basis is essential. Job seekers want to see that you keep them in the loop about decisions and next steps. They also need to know that one of your top priorities is providing the necessary details to make informed decisions.

4. Positive Candidate Experience

Your job application plays a role in your candidate experience. If your application is too long or difficult to complete, job seekers are likely to abandon it. Those who finish may be less inclined to show up for interviews. This results in a smaller talent pool and potentially less-qualified applicants. Candidates who have a bad experience are likely to share their stories on employer review sites. This can affect the number and quality of candidates who apply for roles going forward. It also can impact your employer brand.

Get Help Hiring

Work with a recruiter from Trade Management for help with your hiring process. Contact us today.

Applying to New Jobs? How To Best Highlight Your Skills

TradeManagement_HighlightYourSkills

TradeManagement_HighlightYourSkills

When applying for new jobs, you want the hiring managers to see how your skills are a fit for the role. Emphasizing your abilities in your cover letter, resume,  and during interviews is important. Showing you have what it takes to complete the work increases your odds of being offered a position.

Follow these guidelines to highlight your skills when applying for jobs.

Focus On Your Hard Skills

The technical skills required to perform the work must be reflected in your cover letter and resume. You likely learned these skills through education and training. Examples include carpentry, pipefitting, welding, plumbing, and painting.

Emphasize Your Soft Skills

Employers want to see how your interpersonal skills can benefit their company. Examples include communication, leadership, organization, adaptability, and time management. Such skills are extremely valuable because they cannot be taught. They must be developed through experience.

List Your Skills on Your Resume

Explain your hard and soft skills in your resume introduction, experience section, and skills section. Include skills listed in the job description. Use your top achievements to show how you created positive results. One of the best ways to accomplish this is the problem, action, result (PAR) method. State an issue or responsibility you had at work. Show how you used a skill to address it. Highlight the positive results of your action. Use the information to create bullet points focused on your achievements.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Use data to clarify how you used your skills to positively impact a company. Numbers, percentages, and other concrete information provide a clear picture of your capabilities and value to an organization. For instance, “Hired and trained over 50 construction staff on safety standards when building a grocery store.” Be sure to use power words such as “collaborated,” “coached,” or “designed” to illustrate your impact.

Discuss Your Results

Share with the hiring manager specific ways your skills helped drive these projects to completion. Clarify what you did, what your results were, and how your employer felt about it. Keep your answers concise and focus on the value you provided. Demonstrate what the manager can gain by adding you to their team.

Work with a Recruiter

Partner with a recruiter from Trade Management to help with your job search. Apply with us today.

Building Positive Team Culture as a Foreman

TradeManagement_August

TradeManagement_AugustYour role as a foreman includes setting the tone for your crew’s interactions. Because you need everyone to work together to stay on target, collaboration is necessary. One of the best ways to encourage teamwork is by creating a positive team culture. Your crew is more likely to perform their best when they feel like part of a united team.

Follow these guidelines to promote a positive team culture as a foreman.

1. Lead by Example

Demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors you would like to see from your crew. Your workers are likely to behave according to what they see you do. This is why you should openly commend your team members for their hard work, kind actions, and meeting or exceeding expectations.

2. Huddle Your Crew

Gather your workers at the start and end of each day. Talk about the day’s work efforts, safety reminders, and other work-related topics. Ask your crew to provide their ideas for completing the day’s tasks. Encourage them to talk about the challenges and shortcomings before they leave for the day. This shows your workers’ contributions are valued and respected.

3. Get To Know Your Team

Find out which work tasks each of your crew members likes and dislikes, how your workers adjust to others, which forms of learning are their favorites, and how they prefer to receive feedback. Use this information to personalize your requests and expectations for each crew member. You should benefit from enhanced relationships, increased motivation among your team, and greater performance.

4. Change up Partnerships

Regularly assigning different crew members to work together enhances teamwork and learning. Your workers get to know each other better and gain new perspectives on how to complete tasks. This encourages everyone to continuously improve their performance.

5. Provide Proper Tools and Equipment

Your crew needs tools and equipment to be in the best working condition to produce the desired results. Purchasing the necessary items and ensuring they are correctly handled and regularly inspected shows you want your workers to succeed and encourages them to respect the tools and equipment.

6. Express Appreciation

Regularly thank your crew members for their hard work. Show how their dedication added to the progress made each week. When a job is completed, point out specific ways each of your workers contributed to the finished product. Reward them with lunch, bonuses, raises, or promotions when appropriate.

Hire Skilled Workers

Add skilled workers to your team with help from Trade Management. Contact us today.

How Can Trade Management Help You Find the Right Skilled Trades Job – Faster?

Trade Management_Finding the Right Job Doesn't Have to Take Forever

Trade Management_Finding the Right Job Doesn't Have to Take Forever

Job search times today are the longest they have been since 2016. This is especially true for the skilled trade industry. If you are having trouble finding a role, reach out to us. We can help!

Discover some reasons why skilled trade jobs are hard to find and how Trade Management can help.

Increasing Job Search Length

The economic instability due to the pandemic caused companies in construction, manufacturing, and other skilled trades to close down. According to a survey conducted by global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., the workers laid off in 2020 were among the job seekers who averaged 3.05 months to find a new role. This was up from 2.7 months in 2019 and 2.9 months in 2018. The average time it took to find a job last year was the highest since 2016 when job seekers took an average of 3.13 months to find a position.

Job Losses in Construction

According to material handling solutions company Conger Industries Inc., the construction industry lost $60.9 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.5 million jobs due to the pandemic. Industry revenue was expected to decline by 6.3% in 2020. Approximately one-third of construction companies furloughed or terminated employees because of the pandemic-related shutdowns. In 2021, 28% of construction firms are having trouble hiring project managers and supervisors. Fifty-two percent of companies cannot fill openings for laborers, carpenters, or equipment operators. Fifty-eight percent of building construction firms have unfilled craft positions.

Advantages of Skilled Labor Roles

Skilled labor positions offer excellent pay, benefits, and career paths. You may work on unique projects with innovative equipment and technology such as virtual reality (VR). The satisfaction you gain from completing a project can last a long time. Ongoing training lets you add to your skillset and contributions. If you can cross-train, you help improve your team’s efficiency and productivity. This may provide you with access to even more opportunities for growth and promotion.

Find a Skilled Trade Job

Partner with Trade Management to find your next skilled trade role. Register with us today!

How Can a Resume Cover Letter Help Me Land a Job?

Trade Management_How Can a Cover Letter Help Land A Job

Trade Management_How Can a Cover Letter Help Land A Job

Submitting a cover letter with your resume increases the odds of being contacted for an interview. Your cover is an introduction to the hiring manager and helps you to begin building a relationship. A good cover letter also clarifies how you are a fit for the position based on skills, experience, and personality. This makes you an attractive candidate who stands out from the competition.

Here are six ways including a cover letter with your resume can lead to an interview.

1. Make a Positive Impression

Because your cover letter serves as an introduction to a hiring manager, you want to make a solid first impression. Stand out from the crowd by grabbing the reader’s attention and keeping your words concise and compelling. Emphasize your most relevant skills and experience to sell your qualifications for the role.

2. Build a Relationship

Use your cover letter to establish a relationship with a hiring manager who can help you achieve your career goals. You can share facts about what you have accomplished and how you would do the same for them. Highlight your greatest achievements in line with the job description to show specific ways you can deliver results.

3. Clarify Your Fit

Your cover letter showcases how your background equips you for the position. Demonstrate specific ways your knowledge and abilities prepare you to carry out the key requirements in the job description, showing why you should be contacted for an interview.

4. Show Your Personality

Use the wording in your cover to express your personality. Ensure your tone blends with company culture, proving you would succeed within the organization. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and the value you would provide in it.

5. Explain Employment Gaps

If you spent a significant amount of time away from the workforce, use your cover letter to clarify why. You may have raised a family, been downsized, or let go because of differences with a manager. Share your reasons for returning to the workforce now. Detail the skills and experience you gained from time away that will benefit you in the new role.

6. Mention an Employee Referral

If an employee referred you, be sure to confirm the referral with the hiring manager. Because people typically spend time with others with similar personalities, you are likely to be a good fit with company culture. You may also have an understanding of the company and position because of your conversations with an employee. Plus, referrals tend to remain with the organization long-term because they know a co-worker from the start. This positions you as a strong candidate who should be contacted for an interview.

Talk With a Recruiter 

Land your next role with help from a recruiter at Trade Management. Submit your cover letter and resume today.