How to Train for Electrical Maintenance
Whenever an electrical equipment or power system needs repair, a maintenance electrician is called to do the job. A maintenance electrician's job involves fixing and maintaining electrical systems and generally ensuring these systems work properly. Training to become a maintenance electrician involves a combination of classroom instruction and an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
- Get a high school diploma or a GED. This will be required for you to later find an apprentice work, which is where you will acquire most of your training. Take additional courses in physical science and math if offered the option to do so.
- Take electrical technology courses at a community college, technical college or career school. This will help you stand out if there are other individuals competing for an apprentice position. You can even take these courses online. Completing post-secondary education courses is another way to reduce the time you have to spend in an apprentice training.
- Look for an apprenticeship. This form of training allows you to work as a trainee under the supervision of a licensed master electrician. During this time, you will gain the necessary hands-on training to earn your license and work as a journeyman electrician. An apprenticeship can take up to four years and requires additional classroom training.
- Prepare for your licensing examination. Once you start working as a journeyman electrician, you'll need to satisfy your state's licensing requirements. You can fulfill most of those requirements while working as an apprentice, but you may still need to be licensed to keep working in the field. This may involve taking a licensing examination. To find out the requirements for taking the exam, go to the website of your state's licensing board.