Blue Collar and Proud of It: The All-In-One Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside the Cubicle (12 page)

While most of these construction laborer jobs have no specific educational qualifications, apprenticeships are available that require a high school diploma or GED. High school classes in mathematics, physics, mechanical drawing, and blueprint reading can be helpful for entry into this field. Most laborers get their first job by simply applying with a contractor who is in need of help. Some agencies place temporary laborers as well.That said, large commercial contractors with unionmembership often offer employees a formal apprenticeship, whichmay include two to four years of classroom and on-site training.

The Numbers

About 1.2 million jobs were filled by construction laborers in 2006. Employment is expected to grow by about 11 percent, or more than 130, 000 jobs, between 2006 and 2016.The Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts that opportunities will be better for laborers specializing in road construction. Median hourly earnings of construction laborers in May 2006 were $12.66, with the highest 10 percent earningmore than $24.19.

ELECTRICIAN

If I had to trade in landscaping for another career, I’d become an electrician. Just think, everything is connected in some way to electricity.You have the ability to bring power to a family, a community, or a school. There are somany uses for electricity, well beyond the lightbulb. Another thing I like about this trade? Thomas Edison, who is creditedwith inventing themodern-day lightbulb, never even went to college. In fact, he only lasted threemonths in school until his teachers suggested he leave. Apparently his mind wandered too much.

Electricity is a complicated and powerful force. Wewouldn’t be able to do most of the things we do in a day without it. Have you ever thought about what your day would be like without electricity? Electricians bring electricity into homes, businesses, and factories. They install and maintain the wiring, fuses, and other components through which electricity flows. Some install electrical equipment. Commercial and residential elec-tricalwork are really two very different fields.Typically, electricians choose to specialize in one or the other. Codes are different, and the sheer size— let alone the types of equipment involvedwithwiring a commercial building— makes this a specialized section of the industry.

The Work

Electricians benefit greatly from having manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and a good sense of balance. Electricians usually start their work by reading blueprints that show the locations of circuits, outlets, and panel boards.To ensure public safety, electricians followtheNational Electrical Code, as well as state and local building codes.

Electricians connect all types of wires to circuit breakers, transformers, outlets, and other components. When installing wiring, electricians use various hand tools as well as power tools. Electricians tend to focus on either construction ormaintenance, although some do both. Electricians specializing in construction primarily install wiring systems into businesses or new homes, while maintenance electricians specialize in fixing or upgrading electrical systems or equipment.

Some electricians specialize in low-voltage wiring systems, which include voice, data, and video equipment. Telephones, computers, and even security systems are included in this work. Electricians may also install fiber optic cable for telecommunications equipment. As you’ve probably figured out, electrical work varies quite a bit, and the industry includes many different specialties.

Work Setting

Electricians work inside and out, at construction sites, and in homes, businesses, and factories.

Training and Certification

Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs, which combine on-the-job training with classroomtime.The unions are an excellent resource and sponsor apprenticeship programs, which have become the best way to get into this trade.These training programs usually last four years, though each programvaries in length and number of requisite hours. For example, the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), in the Puget Sound region inWashington, just north of Seattle, offers an apprenticeship that is seven thousand hours or three and a half years.Participants are paid $26.44 an hour, and as entry linemen that salary goes up to more than $74, 000.

In general, electrical apprentices are supervised by experienced electricians, with the goal of learning bit by bit and eventually mastering all components of the trade. Some people start their classroom training before seeking an apprenticeship. Employers often hire students who complete independent postsecondary programs and usually start themat a more advanced level than those without the training. Licensing is required and varies from state to state but largely focuses on comprehension of the National Electrical Code.

The Numbers

There were approximately 705, 000 electricians employed in the United States in 2006. About 68 percent were employed in the construction industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting good job prospects for this sector in the next decade, with an increase of about 7 percent, or 52, 000 jobs. Much of the increase is attributed to retiring workers. The demand for electricians is expected in both residential and commercial projects. Electricians are expected to find work through the construction of power plants that are set to begin cropping up in the next ten years.Retrofitting and upgrading outdated electrical systems will also provide a source of employment for the industry.Those electricians who are skilled in voice, data, and video wiring are also expected to be at an advantage since these sectors are exploding. In May 2006 the median hourly earnings for electricians were $20.97 with the highest 10 percent earningmore than $34.95. Apprentices usually start at half the rate paid to trained electricians.

ELEVATOR INSTALLATION AND REPAIR

Something just about everybody takes for granted is elevators. We expect them to work perfectly, become annoyed when we have to actually wait for one, and rarely stop to think about the components involved inmaking thesemachines run properly. Elevator installers and repairers are highly skilled mechanics and must be able to perform a variety of functions, from installing the parts, wiring the electrical components, constructing their frames, and then troubleshooting the various problems that happen along the way.

The Work

Elevator installers andmechanics do a host of tasks, including assembling, installing, and replacing elevators, escalators, chairlifts, and moving walkways in buildings.Once the equipment is operational, theymust conduct maintenance and repairs as well. Elevator installers put in electrical wires and controls via tubing ducts. They are also responsible for bolting or welding the steel frame of an elevator car and installing elevator doorframes on each floor. In short, they are responsible for most aspects of the elevator components you see and don’t see.

Elevator installers and repairers must have a thorough knowledge of electronics, electricity, and hydraulics. Maintenance and repair workers generally need more knowledge of electricity and electronics than do installers because a large part of repair involves troubleshooting. Adjusters, the most highly skilled of all elevator installers, need a thorough knowledge of electricity, electronics, and computers. Overall, this industry requires multiple skills and a lot of training.

Work Setting