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Chapter What Do Electricians Do? 1

We often take electricians for granted until the power goes out in our homes during a dark, stormy night, or we’re otherwise without the power to run our refrigerators, grocery stores, and even electric vehicles. Electricians make the great invention of electricity possible. They install, maintain, and repair electrical and power systems in homes and businesses. They work in countless industries throughout the world—from manufacturing, construction, and broadcasting, to utilities, telecommunications, and transportation. To obtain their skills, aspiring electricians complete apprenticeships

or training programs at tech- nical schools. Others receive informal training from experi- enced electricians or through the military. Many cities, states, and countries require electricians to be licensed. Some electricians work as members of large work crews to install the electrical compo- nents and systems for major construction or infrastructure projects such as the erection of a 100-story skyscraper or the construction of a new

■ ■ About 71 percent of electricians in the United States work in the construction industry.

airport. Others ensure that the electrical systems at factories that manufacture smart phones, new cars, and countless other products, run smoothly. And still others operate their own businesses—installing and repairing home electrical systems, or working as a subcontractor at a construction site. Although their job duties vary,

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