As high school students work toward graduation, many associations and contractors are working to create awareness of opportunities in the electrical industry. Oftentimes, experienced electricians and engineers visit high schools, participate in career fairs, and hire students for summer internships.

Up-and-coming electricians, however, may also learn about jobs in the electrical field by searching online. For example, here are some resources you can pass along to spark interest in the electrical trade. 

1. ElectricianCareersGuide — On this site, you can find interviews with men and women who work as electricians and a plan on how to get started in the industry. By clicking on a state on the U.S. map, students can see a list of electrical training programs in their area. In addition, they can view the average hourly and annual wages for electricians compared to other trades, such as plumbers and carpenters.
2. Occupational Outlook Handbook — The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers an online resource, which includes information on how to become an electrician, critical skills for the trade, what to expect in the work environment, and typical wages for electricians. For example, the 2019 median pay for electricians was $56,180 per year, or $27.01 an hour, according to the BLS.
3. Fact Sheet — The Electrical Safety Foundation International created a one-page fact sheet detailing the opportunities, career path and median pay of the trade.

As skilled workers continue to be in demand in the electrical industry, contractors can use these resources to encourage more young people to pursue opportunities in the electrical trade. 

Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].