Electrical technicians have a promising future in an engaging career. As the push to move toward everything, from vehicles to home appliances, and away from fossil fuels continues, we can expect to see high demand for technicians to help make this technology usable and widespread. The career also offers flexibility in terms of work setting and location.
Electrical technicians need only an associate's degree to embark on their career, making this training an excellent investment in the future. Those interested in joining this exciting career field can start the training immediately and have the skills for in-demand work relatively quickly.
If you're wondering how to become an electrical technician, this article will help you understand how to choose the right electrical technician training program. Let's take a closer look!
Benefits of Working as an Electrical Technician
Becoming an electrical technician brings the promise of an interesting career with a wide variety of benefits.
- High Pay- When considering the relatively short training requirements and potential for advancement, electrical technicians benefit from a high-paying career.
- Job Security- The field of electrical technicians is stable and projected to continue for the foreseeable future, offering job security and the potential for a lifelong career.
- Interesting Work- Electrical technicians get various projects and must use critical thinking skills regularly, making the work engaging and varied, providing a challenging, rewarding work environment.
- Well-Respected Career- The work of an electrical technician is respected for its importance and need for technical skill. Those in the field will see the benefit of having a career others see as challenging and meaningful.
- Flexibility for Location and Setting- Electrical technicians fulfill roles across a wide range of settings and locales, giving technicians flexibility when looking for a particular setting or options for those who want to move.
Overall, electrical technicians have a rewarding career with a host of benefits. These skills are in high demand, and the future for electrical technicians shows continued need.
Electrical Technician Training
Once you're ready to start a career as an electrical technician, you'll need to choose the right training program. Portland Community College offers electrical technician training within the Construction and Trades Program. As part of the remote career training curriculum, these options allow students to take classes flexibly in the way that works best for their schedules and current responsibilities. PCC will enable students to take courses in a self-paced format with support from an instructor.
Students will gain a combination of technical skills, familiarity with the most common tools for electrical technicians, and soft skills necessary for successfully starting their careers.
Gain Technical Skills
The PCC Electrical Technician Training program gives students a comprehensive and meaningful set of skills and knowledge. Topics covered include the following:
- Robot Maintenance
- Robot Installation
- Electrical Systems
- Production Floor Safety
Students will leave the program with a deeper understanding of the day-to-day operations of an electrical technician while gaining confidence in their ability to perform the skills.
Master Important Career Tools
The PCC program also includes important training in various standard tools and systems for electrical technicians. In the program, you'll gain familiarity with the following:
- GD&T
- PLC Equipment
- Six Sigma
- 5S
- Lean
- Kaizen
- TPM
Familiarity with these tools and systems provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to get started on the job with confidence and clarity.
Develop Crucial Soft Skills
The PCC program also offers training on many "soft skills" needed to be a successful electrical technician. These skills are not directly related to the field's technical skills but are the more interdisciplinary requirements for successfully navigating a career. For an electrical technician, the soft skills needed and covered include the following:
- Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving – When things don't go as planned, technicians need to be able to think quickly and make good decisions.
- Clear Communication – Technicians must communicate clearly with other team members to ensure work is completed efficiently and safely.
- Customer Service – Interacting professionally with customers is integral to an electrical technician's job.
- Leadership – As part of a team, electrical technicians must cultivate leadership skills for efficient and effective workplace dynamics.
Upon completing this thorough training program, students will have various technical knowledge and soft skills to successfully start their careers as electrical technicians.
Get Started with a Career as an Electrical Technician
If you've been considering starting a new career as an electrical technician, there's no better time to get started! The sooner you explore your training options and begin working on your degree, the sooner you can start a rewarding career with a lot of future potential. Check out the Portland Community College training options today!
