What electricians do

- [Narrator] Electricians are responsible for keeping electrical systems running efficiently and safely. They light up our worlds and provide many modern day conveniences. There are many different types of electricians: Those who work on residential, commercial, or industrial projects. Some electricians work on high voltage, overhead power lines and distribution. While others work on low voltage systems designed to provide communication throughout buildings. - Y'know I think what everyone thinks of is the light bulb and how the light bulb changed everybody's lives and, Thomas Edison is obviously y'know, the poster child for what happened around his era and fighting for that. And it did change people's lives for sure. So there became a huge demand for wiring. What most people don't know is that it was actually street lighting that was most important and that's what really changed people's lives. - Obviously we all need electricity so there's always going to be a demand for electricians. Y'know one thing is that it's such a great trade to be in because the technology nowadays is so changing so rapidly. And that technology doesn't work us out of a job, it just continues our education in the job. We're always having to learn and keep up with what's new out there. Y'know again whether it's wiring residential locations, or a hi-tech industrial location, there's just so many things to keep us busy in such a high demand right now. - A world without electricity is hard to imagine. Electricians keep hospitals and airports running, they keep our homes and workplaces illuminated and warm, they provide safety and security for our communities. Whatever realm of electrical work interests you most, you can be assured of a truly satisfying and interesting career. - I have this skill that not a lot of other people have. And I can take that skill wherever I want to go. It's also allowed me to diversify in my career. Y'know electrician to me is just kind of the first thing you can do. It opens up a whole 'nother set of career opportunities that start with being an electrician. So you can move forward and work as an inspector, you can work as a supervisor, foreman, general foreman, an estimator. We've had a lot of people, our former students who've opened up their own electrical contractor firm, so they've gone into the business and there's lots of educational opportunities as well. - I'm working here, I'm working near my home. Y'know if I wanted to move my family around the country, I could do that. Because y'know wherever I go, they need that electricity. Y'know I like the Pacific Northwest and so, they need electricity here. And so I'm here, I've got a job that I can do for the rest of my life. I'll always be needed, I'll always be useful.