{"id":3734,"date":"2023-07-13T15:50:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T20:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powerpartnermn.com\/?p=3734"},"modified":"2023-07-13T15:54:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T20:54:16","slug":"how-the-electrician-shortage-affects-plans-to-electrify-everything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powerpartnermn.com\/how-the-electrician-shortage-affects-plans-to-electrify-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Electrician Shortage Affects Plans To \u201cElectrify Everything\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
Electricians are among the most important professions in our society. They’re the ones responsible for installing, maintaining, and fixing vital electrical fixtures. With the looming electrician shortage, however, the trade sector is faced with the challenge of filling in important job positions. How is this situation unfolding?<\/span><\/p>\n First, let’s talk about if there is a shortage of electricians working in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there are an estimated <\/span>80,000 electricians needed every year<\/span><\/a>. It is difficult for electrical contractors to find experienced workers to replace electricians who are about to retire or are choosing a different occupation. Those in the electrical servicing business experience a lack of skilled individuals to work on their projects.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, homeowners are experiencing delays in the installation of vital electrical fixtures like generators or renewables. Commercial and industrial operations are also seeing their project deadlines pushed back further due to the lack of experienced electricians to do installation, maintenance, or repairs of their systems.<\/span><\/p>\n This is brought about by the impending retirement of previously working electricians. Skilled electricians leaving the industry are mostly Baby Boomers who are reaching their retirement. However, people aged 55 and above had their <\/span>premature departure from their jobs<\/span><\/a> – accelerated further due to the pandemic. Although retirement is a normal cycle in employment, there is an imbalance between the number of retiring electricians and fewer workers filling the positions.<\/span><\/p>\n Another reason is the common misconception that working in the trades means earning lower. That’s why young people often disregard electrician jobs in favor of others they deemed to have higher pay. When, in fact, electricians are one of the highest paid trades due to the level of skills and complexity of their jobs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aside from the higher salary, an electrician can also enjoy benefits including 401(k) retirement plans, insurance, and continuing education courtesy of the company that they work for. These are just some of the many amazing benefits to enjoy if you become a licensed electrician or a similar position in the sector. It’s a challenge to attract young people – particularly students about to enter the job market – to choose a career in the trades. Their talent and skills are needed, especially now that the U.S. is moving in full gear with its electrification plans.<\/span><\/p>\n This is where the looming electrician shortage becomes a problem: we are now moving towards cleaner energy sources. Ideally through reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and more on electric-powered devices and operations. We’re already seeing this with the increasing use of electric vehicles instead of diesel or gas-powered vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Dilemma With Fewer Electricians<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Move to a Clean Energy Economy<\/span><\/h2>\n