It is no secret that careers in the building trades are hot. Locally, IBEW Local 64 and IBEW Local 573 need electricians to complete local residential and commercial projects.
With “good earning potential and excellent job growth prospects,” a career as an electrician has been ranked the top career choice in the skilled trades for 2022, according to Porch.com and Electrical Contractor’s Magazine.
An electrical apprentice shows students interested in the trade how to do basic wire work.
With the rankings based on annual pay and projected job availability, among other aspects, the findings show that a career as an electrician is high-earning and will continue to be for years to come.
A report from Porch.com says entering the electrical field now will provide career-long job security, something that has been hard to find locally in recent years.
Lots of work available locally
“There is plenty of work to be done around here as an electrician,” said Scott Satterlee, Business Manager for IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown.
With the addition of local, high-profile commercial construction projects such as the Ultium Cells plant in Lordstown, hospital expansions, power plants, school buildings, water treatment plants, oil and gas substations, Ohio Turnpike toll collection upgrades and many, many more, there are years and years of skilled electrical work in need of being performed.
The early stages of the now-complete Ohio Turnpike project done by electricians with Joe Dickey Electric.
“If you’re someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys learning new things and wants a long-term career to support their family, we need you on our team,” said Mark Phillips, President and Organizer of IBEW Local 573 in Warren.
Openings for both new and experienced electricians
For electricians already working, these findings prove the security of the job.
“A career as a union electrician can take you far and provide you with excellent pay and benefits,” said Todd Ambrose, Business Manager of IBEW Local 573. “Working in the field is the start. There are many directions you can take this career once you get into it.”
Locally, the two local unions and signatory electrical contractors are always recruiting apprentices. Designed for students to work, earn money and learn the trade at the same time, an apprenticeship allows students to make a living, learn valuable on-the-job experience, and complete the education requirements to become a journeyman wireman.
An electrician with Joe Dickey electric at work.
“Our training centers in Warren and Youngstown are state-of-the art, staffed by local instructors, and accredited by state and federal authorities to ensure our apprentices are learning the most critical and up-to-date job skills,” said Cody Hilliard, President and Organizer, IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown. “And not only is the education you receive essentially free, but our apprentices make a very good wage, which increases multiple times during the year as more experience is gained.”
Join the top building trade career choice today
If you want to learn more about becoming a union electrician, visit atradethatpays.com and apply online.