U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration https://www.onetonline.org 13m 3,132 #insights
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Sample of reported job titles:
Electrician Helper, Electrician’s Helper
Tasks
Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.
Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
Clean work area and wash parts.
Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.
Install copper-clad ground rods, using a manual post driver.
Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.
Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.
Erect electrical system components and barricades, and rig scaffolds, hoists, and shoring.
Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.
Dig trenches or holes for installation of conduit or supports.
Raise, lower, or position equipment, tools, and materials, using hoist, hand line, or block and tackle.
Break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment.
Requisition materials, using warehouse requisition or release forms.
String transmission lines or cables through ducts or conduits, under the ground, through equipment, or to towers.
Solder electrical connections, using soldering iron.
Trim trees and clear undergrowth along right-of-way.
Bolt component parts together to form tower assemblies, using hand tools.
Operate cutting torches and welding equipment, while working with conduit and metal components to construct devices associated with electrical functions.
Paint a variety of objects related to electrical functions.
Technology Skills
- Computer aided design CAD software
— Computer-aided drafting or design software Data base user interface and query software — Recordkeeping software
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Report generation software
Hot Technologies are requirements frequently included in employer job postings.
Work Activities
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
Cut metal components for installation.
Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
Repair electrical equipment.
Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
Thread wire or cable through ducts or conduits.
Fabricate parts or components.
Drill holes in construction materials.
Maintain construction tools or equipment.
Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
Remove debris or vegetation from work sites.
Position construction or extraction equipment.
Break up rock, asphalt, or concrete.
Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions — 99% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Standing — 67% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 66% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 66% responded “Extremely important.”
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 68% responded “Every day.”
Contact With Others — 65% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions — 44% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 53% responded “Every day.”
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — 36% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 61% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Time Pressure — 31% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety — 53% responded “Very high responsibility.”
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Exposed to Contaminants — 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles — 22% responded “Less than half the time.”
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 33% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 41% responded “Extremely important.”
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions — 56% responded “Every day.”
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 33% responded “Every day.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 42% responded “Very important results.”
Consequence of Error — 42% responded “Extremely serious.”
Telephone — 13% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
Physical Proximity — 53% responded “Moderately close (at arm’s length).”
Spend Time Walking and Running — 55% responded “More than half the time.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 64% responded “Some freedom.”
Exposed to High Places — 32% responded “Every day.”
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 32% responded “Every day.”
Level of Competition — 37% responded “Highly competitive.”
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling — 41% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings — 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 46% responded “Extremely important.”
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting — 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Duration of Typical Work Week — 88% responded “40 hours.”
Deal With External Customers — 32% responded “Extremely important.”
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 53% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 35% responded “Less than half the time.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 23% responded “Extremely important.”
Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
- Related Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- SVP Range
- 3 months to 1 year of preparation (4.0 to < 6.0)
Training & Credentials
- State training
- Local training
- Certifications
- Apprenticeships
- Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov
external site to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.
Skills
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Knowledge
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- High school diploma or equivalent required for some jobsmore info
- Post-secondary certificate required for some jobs
- Less than high school diploma required for some jobs
Abilities
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without “giving out” or fatiguing.
Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Interests
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2021)
- $17.48 hourly, $36,360 annual
- State wages
- Local wages
- Employment (2020)
- 75,500 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030)
Little or no change- Projected job openings (2020-2030)
- 8,900
- State trends
- Top industries (2020)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
external site and 2020-2030 employment projections
external site.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
- Local job openings
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer:
Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries.
Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Actively assisted with the O*NET data collection, helping to identify occupational experts who can be surveyed about their work in the occupation.
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