FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In order to become a State Licensed Journeyman Electrician in California, one needs at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of on the job training in what is called an apprenticeship. Typically, this is accompanied by 4 or 5 years of part time school as well, 2 nights per week of 3 hour classroom training. After completion of this 4 or 5 year period, one may take a state licensure test to become a certified electrician, or Journeyman. After one has received the certification and has worked for another 4 years as a Journeyman electrician, he or she may pursue an Electrical Contractor's license, or C-10. Both licenses require ongoing training to be kept current and both require re-certification at 2-3 year intervals. This trade deals with very critical and often complex situations requiring a high level of aptitude and an in-depth knowledge of the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) and other local codes (CEC, CBC, UBC, San Diego Electrical Code, SDG&E standards etc.). There is a lot to know to be safe and productive in our profession- this is why there are so many requirements and regulations before one is allowed to work in it. Not only this, we must also be CPR/First Aid/AED certified, understand OSHA regulations for workplace safety, and keep up with changes to the Electrical Code which happen every 3 years. Rest assured that not only are we are knowledgeable of our trade, but that we are also constantly learning and improving to better serve you, our customers.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
When I was 15 or 16 I was tasked with running a home remodeling demolition crew comprised of several guys from a halfway house down the street. This was for a close family friend and was my summer job. I fell in love with working with my hands (and also fell in love with with tools!). Some of the guys I was working with had worked on major commercial projects and told me about skilled trades apprenticeships. I was blown away at the fact that the cliche we've all heard - that ending up in construction meaning you had failed at something else or didn't have other options - was simply not true. Nor was it true that one could not expect to achieve success in a blue collar profession and be proud of what they do. I was fascinated by the electrical work taking in the remodel as time went on and realized that I had major interest in this trade. It was, after all, not just about twisting wire nuts, but in fact required a wide array of skill and knowledge even for the relatively simple home remodel I was witness to. I immediately began researching apprenticeships near me and calling around. I was in the process of getting my AA from Grossmont College and I decided to finish the AA and immediately begin working for a major electrical contractor in town. I could not yet apply for the electrical apprenticeship because I wasn't yet 18, so I worked in the warehouse and later on major projects as a laborer (getting materials and tools for the crew, driving forklifts, etc) until I applied for the apprenticeship on my 18th birthday and began the five-year program a couple of months later.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I have done work for residential and commercial customers with projects as small as wired coffee carts and lighted doghouses and all manner of residential electrical troubleshooting as well as major commercial contractors all the way up to the LAX Crenshaw Light Railway Expansion Project, Hospitals, High Rises and everything in between. I love all things electrical!