Job Talks - Electrician - Ian Enjoys the Challenge of Being an Electrician Due to Technology

Summary

Ian, an electrician and training coordinator, shares his journey into the trade, which began through an apprenticeship offered by his father. He highlights the versatility of being an electrician, working across mining, commercial, and industrial environments, and the constant challenges brought by evolving technology. Ian emphasizes the importance of troubleshooting and maintaining safety in daily tasks and addresses misconceptions about trades, noting that many skilled tradespeople are well-educated. He advises aspiring tradespeople to stay open-minded and eager to learn, stressing that electricians will remain essential in the future as energy needs grow, making it a rewarding and promising career.

Takeaways

• 🔌 Ian became an electrician through an opportunity offered by his father and stayed in the trade.
• 🌍 The electrical trade offers diverse opportunities across mining, commercial, industrial sectors, or even starting your own business.
• ⚡ Technology is evolving, and the electrical trade is adapting, making it a career with a bright future.
• 👷 Ian currently serves as a training coordinator, managing apprentices, co-op students, and facilitating electrical training.
• 🔧 As an underground electrician, daily tasks vary from working on pumps, fans, and motors to troubleshooting PLCs and computers.
• 🛠️ Troubleshooting is a key responsibility for electricians, ensuring production equipment like conveyor belts runs smoothly.
• 🛡️ Safety is a critical aspect of the job, including maintaining limit switches, safety switches, and temperature switches.
• 📚 A common misconception is that trades are for those who struggle academically, but many skilled tradespeople are highly educated.
• 🤝 Success in trades requires being open-minded, willing to learn, and enjoying hands-on work with varied daily challenges.
• 🌱 The electrical trade is future-proof because electricity powers everything, from solar and wind energy to electric vehicles.

Q & A

Who is Ian and what is his profession?

Ian is an electrician who also serves as a training coordinator, overseeing apprentices and co-op students in the electrical trade.

How did Ian become an electrician?

Ian became an electrician through an apprenticeship opportunity offered by his father, which he accepted and continued in the trade.

What makes the electrical trade versatile according to Ian?

Electricians can work in various environments such as mining, commercial, or industrial sectors, and even start their own business, since electricity is essential everywhere.

What does Ian enjoy most about being an electrician?

Ian enjoys the challenges of the trade, especially as technology evolves, providing a bright future and constant learning opportunities.

What are Ian’s main responsibilities as a training coordinator?

He is responsible for overseeing apprentices and co-op students, facilitating training, and ensuring that electrical trade skills are effectively taught and applied.

What types of tasks did Ian perform when he worked underground as an electrician?

His tasks varied widely, including working on pumps, fans, and motors, as well as troubleshooting PLCs and computers.

What is considered one of the most important responsibilities of an electrician in a production environment?

Troubleshooting equipment quickly to ensure production continues, particularly for conveyor belts and other critical machinery.

What safety responsibilities do electricians have according to Ian?

Electricians ensure that all safety devices, such as limit switches, safety switches, and temperature switches, are maintained and operating properly to protect workers.

What misconception about trades does Ian address?

Ian points out that the trades are often wrongly thought of as a path for students who don’t do well in school, but in reality, many highly educated individuals choose trades for hands-on work and varied daily tasks.

What advice does Ian give to someone interested in joining the trades?

He advises being open-minded and willing to learn, emphasizing that trades, especially electrical work, have a strong future due to the ongoing need for skilled electricians in all sectors, including renewable energy and electric vehicles.