If you want to become an electrician you have probably done a little research in to what an electrician does. Likely, you found that electricians install electrical service in new construction in commercial and residential environments, electricians update electrical service in these environments, they repair electrical service, they add new services to existing construction, electricians maintain high voltage power plants and distributions, they work on high voltage motors and generators and they work on any equipment that requires high voltage or high tension (high amperage).

Electricians are responsible for making sure we have power when and where we want it and that it is safe. You would not want just anyone working on the electrical service that is near your pool. You would not want just anyone installing a new outlet in your home. The risks of an accident like a fire or shock are far too great for just any do it yourselfer to work on electrical service.

To become an electrician you have to study the theory of electricity, how it works, the physics involved in electricity and how it flows, how electricity is safely carried, how to calculate loads and overcome obstacles associated with an installation and how to troubleshoot and isolate problems. Electricians have to understand the theory, as well as they know how to apply the practical side of the business. Electricians have a unique set of skills in that they need an academic level understanding of electricity and how it works as well as a craftsman's understanding of how to install the service, bend pipe, cut and pull wire and many other mechanical aspects of installing electrical services.

To become an electrician you will also need to attend school and learn the trade from an experienced and hopefully licensed electrician. There are many trade schools that offer courses that lead to a person to become an electrician. You can use the Internet to help find local trade schools that offer training that suite your particular needs and circumstances. Many schools offer financial assistance if you require it. Many of the trade schools will offer courses that are specific to a trade specialty. For electricians that could be areas of specialty like large horsepower motors, high tension electrical distribution, residential installation or any one of a wide variety of other topics.

You will also need to gain practical experience in the field if you want to become an electrician. This part of becoming an electrician requires you to do work as an electrician while under the supervision of an electrician. This part of the training tends to be the most fun. It is highly educational and allows you to hone your skills at the practical application of what you have learned in the classroom as well as applying your problem solving skills. Frequently the answer to a problem is obvious but how you apply the solution is not so clear. You might need to run some wires in a conduit from point A to point B. Sounds pretty simple until you realize that you have to run the conduit around a couple of corners and across an open ceiling and code requires the conduit to be anchored every eight feet. The practical application of being an electrician tends to be the fun part of the job.