College Isn’t the Only Route to Success
For generations now, the American Dream has almost always included pursuing higher education. So many people believe that spending at least four years at a university is the only way to be successful that 61% of high school graduates enrolled at a university last year. However, the financial burden associated with attending these colleges has grown exponentially, with many students taking on roughly $40,000 in debt just to cover tuition and housing. The impact of this debt often lingers for years, affecting people's ability to save for a home, invest, or even start a family.
While we’re not here to argue that college isn’t the best option for some individuals—especially if you’re interested in pursuing a career as an electrical engineer—it’s important to recognize that this path isn’t universally beneficial. In fact, research suggests that over half of college graduates end up working in positions that don’t require the level of education they’ve obtained. This raises the question of whether the societal pressure to attend college may be creating a large misconception about who higher education is truly best suited for.
The Value of Technical Education
For those interested in pursuing commercial electrical or other trades, attending a technical school or apprenticeship program is one of the most practical routes to get started. Tech schools offer specific, career-focused training that prepares you for a career in the trades in a fraction of the time it would take to complete a four-year degree.
Here are some of the key benefits of attending a tech school for electrical training:
- Affordability: Trade schools are significantly less expensive than traditional colleges. The cost of pursuing electrical education is a fraction of what you'd pay for a four-year degree, and many commercial electricians graduate with little to no debt.
- Apprenticeship Programs: Most trades require completion of some type of apprenticeship program. So, while obtaining the book knowledge in an electrical education program, most students work a full-time job during the day in the field they are studying. In addition to not accumulating debt in the form of student loans, most students are actually earning a living at the same time. The average starting wage for an electrical apprentice in the Denver Metro area is over $23.00 per hour. In addition, most electrical contractors will pay the tuition for their employees or apprentices to attend trade and technical schools as part of their employment.
- Hands-on Experience: Trade programs at technical schools provide a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. This allows students to apply their skills in real-world settings, so they’re well-prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.
- Shorter Time to Enter the Workforce: Most electrician technical school programs are one to two years. You'll save time over a standard college degree with all-inclusive preparation to start your profession after completing your training and apprenticeship.
- Job Placement and Security: The strong relationships that many technical schools have with nearby contractors enable their graduates to find potential employment as soon as they finish their courses. Obtaining employment as a commercial electrician is frequently far easier than obtaining employment after graduating from college, given the rising demand for qualified tradesmen.
Pay & Benefits
The financial benefit is among the strongest arguments in favor of a career in electrical and other trades. With the ability to advance their income through increasing specializations, growing experience, and acquiring certifications, electricians can command competitive incomes. The average licensed Journeyman electrician in the Denver Metro area makes between $35 and $45 per hour. Depending on specialization, skills, work ethic, and attitude, experienced commercial electricians can easily make over $100,000 per year.
This career path is appealing for a number of other reasons besides the competitive salary. There are many career advancement options for commercial electricians, who can become project managers, estimators, or even launch their own contracting company. A steady and fulfilling career is ensured by the high employment security brought about by ever-present construction projects, increasing energy demands, and the need to update aging electrical infrastructure. Many electrical contractors can receive generous benefit packages covering paid time off, retirement plans, health insurance, and more.
Businesses Trust Our Team of Commercial Electricians
By joining the profession as an electrician in the industrial space, one can be part of an industry that rewards experience, stimulates innovation, and delivers satisfaction of witnessing the benefits of their hard work every day. Our team consists of dedicated professionals enjoying the benefits we’ve discussed, and it results in the best possible work getting done.
If you need commercial electricians for your business, give us a call today. We’re proud to serve retail businesses, warehouses, medical offices, and more.