From Apprentice to Pro: How to Start a Successful Electrician Career
Starting an Electrician Career
“Great moments are born from great opportunity.”
That iconic line from legendary USA hockey coach Herb Brooks came before his team played the heavily favored Russians in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Hard work, dedication and working together as a team led to an incredible opportunity for those young Americans. Those same qualities can also provide the opportunity to build a successful career, along with two pivotal life moments:
- Finding a skill you are interested in pursuing
- Choosing a path that supports your growth
For those looking to become an electrician, the path usually starts with an electrician apprenticeship.
Electrician Apprentice Programs
Electrician apprenticeships take four years to complete – involving a specific process and benchmarks along the way. In addition to achieving a minimum of around 670 core training hours, electrician apprentices must also complete a total of 8000 on-the-job learning (OJL) hours
Since apprentices are learning valuable skills as they go, many of their OJL hours and daily work activities cannot be done without supervision by a qualified electrical SME (Subject Matter Expert). These SMEs are construction professionals who have journey-level experience in addition to experience teaching their trade to others.
Options for Aspiring Electricians
For those interested in gaining the skills and experience to become a licensed electrician, electrical union apprenticeships have been the most traditional path to pursue.
However, one size usually doesn’t fit all. With an increased number of large construction projects like cutting-edge sports stadiums, massive data centers and solar power installations fueling demand for more power, there is a growing need to invest in training skilled electricians to keep pace.
Recognizing that need, Mortenson partnered with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to develop its own accredited Electrician Apprentice Program.
There's a difference with an electrical superintendent that came through an apprenticeship in the trade. They know that world and our culture so they will be excellent electrical superintendents and mentors for our incoming apprentices.
Mortenson Electrician Apprentice Program Overview and Benefits
The Mortenson Electrician Apprentice Program offers a structured, four-year training process designed to develop competent journeyman electricians through a combination of hands-on experience and comprehensive coursework. Apprentices complete a series of milestones, including core training and OJL hours, to ensure they gain proficiency in all aspects of the electrical trade.
The curriculum covers material electrical apprentices need to know to pass a state journey level exam, from electrical theory to advanced calculations. It is divided into key stages with each focusing on critical areas of electrical knowledge and expertise:
- Electrical Review – Provides an understanding of electrical theory, introduction to circuits and the National Electric Code (NEC), safety protocols, testing equipment and industry standards
- Alternating Current (AC) – In-depth instruction on the principles and applications of alternating current systems, a foundational aspect of modern electrical work
- Advanced Load Calculations – Training in the load calculation/design of branch and feeder circuits, larger feeder circuits and service systems, ensuring efficient, safe power distribution and compliance with regulations
Built-in Sponsorship
Many apprentice programs require candidates to find their own sponsor to even be considered. Once a sponsor has been secured, candidates can only get accepted once a spot in the program opens.
With Mortenson, the process is simple:
- Apply and join the Mortenson Craft team
- Show up for work on time every day
- Ensure your safety and those working around you
- Stay productive
- Express interest in the Electrician Apprentice Program
After some time demonstrating you are a good team member who works hard every day and puts We Before Me, you will have the opportunity to start the program.
In-House Training and Instructors
Some apprentice programs work with outside training centers to host and facilitate the program. In many cases, apprentices must also complete parts of the program before or after their long workdays.
Every part of the Mortenson Electrical Apprentice Program is conducted on-site and occurs during normal work hours. Plus, the training is conducted by our own electrical lead instructors who are also Mortenson team members.
Get Paid and Save Money
In addition to paid employment that includes a robust Craft benefits package, Mortenson also provides electrician apprentices with all of the books and materials they need to complete the curriculum. This support also includes covering fees and costs associated with initially taking the license certification exam at the end of the course.
A Path to Leadership Roles
If you aspire to go beyond the day-to-day work and lead a team, the Mortenson apprentice program provides a direct path to becoming a licensed electrical superintendent.
“There's a difference with an electrical superintendent that came through an apprenticeship in the trade,” said Derek Sams, Mortenson Manager of Apprenticeship. “They know that world and our culture so they will be excellent electrical superintendents and mentors for our incoming apprentices.”
Greater Job Stability and Experience
As one of the nation’s top builders for over 70 years, a career with Mortenson comes with unique benefits that extend well beyond the apprentice program.
With 20 different operating groups and 12 locations across the U.S., there are an endless number of opportunities at Mortenson to gain valuable experience and further your career. Depending on interests and workload, Mortenson electricians can work on a battery storage project, a solar project, a wind project or work with the Civil or Power teams to install transmission lines, build substations and much more.
Mortenson has always been a family-owned company, so our leaders don’t answer to a separate board of directors. Our diverse business model, along with continued investment in our culture and our team members, consistently provides a strong backlog of work.
As a result, our team members have exceptional job stability. They also don’t have to experience the devastating culture shifts that can happen after being acquired or merging with another company – something that happens too often in the construction industry.
Consistent Approach to Jobsite Safety
Electricians can be potentially exposed to a variety of unique hazards not experienced in other roles. It’s also not uncommon for electrician apprentices to work on a variety of jobsites that may involve different contractors and varying rules related to safety.
At Mortenson, safety is the foundation for everything we do. Every Mortenson jobsite follows the same, consistent approach to instilling ownership of our safety culture with every team member. From group pre-project and pre-task planning meetings to one-on-one conversations, our project leaders are committed to the men and women working on our project sites and never putting their safety or well-being at risk to complete a project.
How to Get Started
For those looking to begin their career or are considering a career shift later in life, becoming a licensed electrician can be a rewarding profession. It’s easy to get started pursuing the electrician apprentice path at Mortenson.
Start by applying for a skilled Craft job to connect with a recruiter to see what roles are available. You don't need a diploma, or a degree, and you will have the opportunity to apply to the program sometime after you have started your employment.
If this sounds like a good fit, what are you waiting for?