My son wants to be an electrician: what would you do if you were 16?
My son is 16, finishing his sophomore year of HS. He wants to be an electrician but he knows that it is a broad field. Industrial, union, nuclear, etc. His HS offered the following, and he finished Electricity 1 & 2 this year:
ELECTRICITY 1 & 2
Grade: 9, 10, 11 Semesters: 2 Credit: 2
Prerequisite: Math skills (basic math, fractions, decimals and percentages)
• Eye-hand coordination
• Strong interest in electrical industry
Electricity 1 and 2 are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as an electrician and electrician helper or in related occupations. Electricity students receive instruction in communication skills, leadership skills, human relations and employability skills, safety, effective work practices, and in the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of residential electricity systems. Laboratory activities provide instruction in all phases of residential electrical wiring in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to gain national industry certification through the NCCER training program.
ELECTRICITY 3 & 4
Grade: 11, 12 Semesters: 2 Credit: 2
Prerequisite: Electricity 1 & 2 with C average
Electricity 3 and 4 are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as an electrician and electrician helper or in related occupations. Electricity students receive instruction in communication skills, leadership skills, human relations and employability skills, safety, effective work practices, and in the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of residential electricity systems. Laboratory activities provide instruction in all phases of residential electrical wiring in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to gain national industry certification through the NCCER training program.
WORK-BASED EXPERIENCE (CO-OP)
Grade: 12 Semesters: 2 Credit: 2
Prerequisites:
• Be at least 18 years old and classified as a Senior
• Must have signed instructor recommendation
• Must complete Electricity 2 with a grade of 85 or better
• Provide own transportation to and from work site -- MANDATORY
• Provide proof of personal health and accident insurance -- MANDATORY
Work-based learning is an opportunity for students that complete the Electricity program to gain work-based experience.
^ he finished with a 95 in the 1 & 2. He also finished the year with one B and the rest As, all honors. He is taking AP physics and pre-calc next year. Overall, he is a solid student. He is also a good athlete (ranked wrestler in the state and placed in the 200m and 400m in track)
I only mention that part because an option is the Navy nuclear electrician program. Of course, he wants to make good money. He is currently open to college, trade school, union, military, etc. If you were 16 and wanted to pursue being an electrician, what would you do? Any advice for him for the next couple of years while he explores his options?