Thinking about becoming an electrician's apprentice

[Lysander]

Hey guys,

I've been thinking about whether this trade might lend itself to some of the characteristics and strengths that aspies tend to have. It is somewhat customer oriented, but far less so than fast food/retail. A four year apprenticeship yields a journeyman's license, although it takes longer in some states. What do you guys think?

 

[Pats]

I think it's a good trade.

 

[tducey]

I've often said if I wasn't aspie I'd be an electrician. Go for it I say and good luck.

 

[Autistamatic]

It's a great trade from an employability point of view, and one which lends itself well to Autistic traits. Having a mathematical or scientific leaning is certainly useful, there's plenty of both involved, and having an Aspie eye for detail is a definite advantage considering how careful one has to be dealing with electricity.
I think it's a great idea

 

[Duncan]

Hi, I don't know whether it's the same where you are, but where I live in the UK, a qualified 'sparky' (Electrician), will never be out of work, or out of pocket. Similar to plumbing, I think it's a solid job. Although I am not a qualified electrician, I use electronics a lot in my own job, and like others have said, the attention to detail, and the repetitive nature of the work seems to fit in well with my condition. Also, you will probably be working a lot on your own, which for me is a good thing! Lol! There are many off-shoots as well, eg. PAT Testing. Hope this helps!

 

[Starfire]

That’s a great idea it’s a very flexible and well paid job. I work with electricians every other day and their phones never stop ringing with work, they can literally pick and choose the jobs they want. There are many branches too, some specialise in re-wires or burglar alarms, site work, commercial, domestic, maintenance, fault finding, Oil rigs, etc etc.

As a female you would also have access to buildings such as young mothers homes, battered wives shelters, women’s prisons etc where it might be difficult or inappropriate for a man to go. I also think it’s a great job for an Aspie, my trade is too but it doesn’t pay as well and is harder on the body, good luck!

 

[ZebraAutismo]

Give it a go. Sounds a lot a good idea to me.

 

[disconnected]

Go for it. It’s a job where you can support 4 people on 40 hours where I live.

I’m a Journeyman in my craft. I’m mostly supervision now. There’s a definite skilled trade shortage in the US. It would secure many years of work.

 

[Tom]

I was an informal Electricians helper from age 15-20 and then worked in Electronics in the Air Force & Army. I would say it all depends on how well your mind takes to basic electrical theory - does it make sense and stick so-to-speak. If not you will be consistently frustrated. Second, its a thinking type job in many aspects but also involves moderate to occasionally hard physical labor. You working with tools and your hands, and doing moderate climbing (ladders). Thirdly, are you OK working in a mostly male field? Fourthly, are you OK with driving to jobs daily?

I enjoyed it once I got to a point of mastery, and not feeling lost. I especially enjoyed troubleshooting and fixing difficult problems.

 

[Bronzelincolns]

go for it!

good gig, pays well, and gives you a marketable skill that you can start your own business with.

 

[Mr Allen]

Yeah go for it, there's a lot of demand for good Electricians.

My Dad's an Electrician by trade, but he retired nearly 5 years ago on his 65th birthday.

 

[Isadoorian]

Yes, Trades work often pays very well, and if it's a Unionized Company then you're likely to get some really good benefits

I have 2 Cousins who are in Trades; 1s a Plumber, the others an Electrician

 

[Mr Allen]

Yes, Trades work often pays very well, and if it's a Unionized Company then you're likely to get some really good benefits

I have 2 Cousins who are in Trades; 1s a Plumber, the others an Electrician

The son of a friend of ours is a Plumber, nice bloke, he's always busy.