What it Takes to Be an Electrician

Have you ever considered a career as an electrician? Let’s take a closer look into frequently asked questions to uncover what it takes to be an electrician at Lee.

1. What schooling is required to become an electrician? After you earn a high school diploma, or equivalent, Lee welcomes applicants to apply for one of our electrical apprentice openings. Lee requires all apprentices attend a state-sponsored electrical apprenticeship program, which combines extensive on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. After four years, and 8,000 hours working under a master electrician as an apprentice, you are then eligible to take the journeyman test. Once you pass the test, many electricians will spend the duration of their career as a journeyman, or they work to become a master electrician. As a journeyman, you must work under a master electrician for two years and have 4,000 hours on the job before you are eligible to take the master electrician exam.
2. What certifications are required? Anyone on an electrical crew in Michigan must have an apprentice, journeyman or master electrical license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
3. What types of projects do industrial electricians work on? You can gain a lot of experience as an industrial electrician. Projects vary depending on the industry. You may find yourself working in automotive, steel processing, battery manufacturing, testing, food and beverage, distribution, research and development, commercial build and more.
4. What are the different types of industrial electrician jobs at Lee? There are many different positions available for those interested in industrial electrical work. Those positions include shop assistant, shop manager, purchaser, department manager, estimator, apprentice electrician, journeyman electrician, foreman, senior foreman and master electrician.
5. How can electricians stay safe on the job? Lee provides all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including arc suits and clothing. All electricians at Lee are required to have NFPA 70E training to help avoid workplace injuries, as well as regular trainings provided by Lee’s in-house safety team.
6. What is it like working as an electrician at Lee? Most of the electrical work performed by Lee is considered heavy industrial. Our electricians might find themselves disconnecting and reconnecting electrical components for a press move, upgrading power to a whole operation, performing a complete machine rewire and more! Additionally, Lee is a learning environment – all apprentices are enrolled in state electrical apprenticeship programs and work closely with experienced journeyman and master electricians. All employees have an opportunity for advancement within the company.

Interested in a career at Lee?  Learn more about what it’s like to work at Lee and view our current job openings here.