While many electricians begin their careers as apprentices, some choose to start a trade school or college. Either way, you'll be entering a career field with diverse jobs and impressive opportunities.

If you haven't made up your mind to start as an apprentice, you can benefit by learning about the advantages of apprenticeships. Take a look at four of the biggest advantages of entering an apprenticeship program as a prospective electrician.

Potential to earn degree credits 

While not all apprentice electricians go to college, you may choose to attend if you want to further your career opportunities or focus on a specific area of the field. One of the biggest advantages of participating in a formal apprenticeship program is that you can often earn credits that you can use as college credit toward an associate or bachelor's degree.

For example, if you spend two years as an apprentice electrician, you can earn credits that you can apply toward a degree at the college of your choice when your apprenticeship is over.

Earn a living while studying a trade

Apprenticeship programs can last from one to six years. During this time, you will need to support yourself financially as an apprentice. While some apprenticeship programs in other trades may be unpaid, apprenticeship programs for licensed electricians are usually paid. As a result, you will earn income while you learn.

Although you will spend time learning and gaining new skills, in most cases you will also become an electrician's helper. The average salary for an electrician's helper is $13.94 per hour, but your salary may vary depending on your location and will change as your skills improve.

Establish yourself as a professional through networking 

Networking with other industry professionals is an important part of any successful career. When you work as an apprentice for a company or licensed electrician, you are likely to be exposed to a wide range of professionals in the field.

Whether you work with traveling skilled tradesmen or are stationed in an area, you'll make many new friends during your apprenticeship. You gain valuable contacts who learn to recognize you by name, which means you can easily secure a permanent position in the future.

Exposure to the skills needed in the electrician field 

As an electrician, you will need to have certain skills when applying for certain positions. And, even if you plan to start your own business as an electrical contractor, you will need certain skills. Some of the skills that electricians should have include

1. Understanding electrical systems
2. understanding how to perform electrical system testing
3. identify local and state electrical codes
4. repair systems and solve system problems
5. Maintain and use equipment and tools in the electrical field

Your time as an apprentice will undoubtedly expose you to many of the skills you will eventually use as a licensed professional. Whether or not you have received further training at a trade school or university, these skills will be valuable to you in your career as an electrician.

Get your electrician career off to a great start 

The job outlook for electricians in 2019 through 2029 is very good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 62,200 jobs could be added by 2029, with a projected growth rate of 8 percent, which is higher than the average occupation.

Professional Electrician Tools 

If you are ready to return to work after a workplace accident, excellent electrical tools are your best bet. Knoweasy tools are professional electrician tools that can meet the various needs of electricians when working and effectively improve the efficiency and safety of their work.