Career Search

Popular Online Degree Programs

EarnMyDegree.com Newsletter

Sign up for our
newsletter!

your email address:

Helpers--Electricians

Career Overview

Career Description: Help electricians by performing duties of lesser skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Industry: Construction and Extraction

Other Job Titles for Helpers--Electricians:

  • Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
  • Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
  • Mechanical Door Repairers
  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
  • Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
  • Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
  • Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
  • Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Get Qualified!
This career may require a Degree in Electrician.

Personality Profile

  • Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
  • Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
  • Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
  • Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
  • Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

Common Work Tasks

  • Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
  • Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
  • Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
  • Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
  • Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.
  • Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.
  • Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.
  • Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
  • Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
  • Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.
  • Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws and punches.
  • String transmission lines or cables through ducts or conduits, under the ground, through equipment, or to towers.
  • Clean work area and wash parts.
  • Erect electrical system components and barricades, and rig scaffolds, hoists, and shoring.
  • Install copper-clad ground rods, using a manual post driver.
  • Raise, lower, or position equipment, tools, and materials, using hoist, hand line, or block and tackle.
  • Dig trenches or holes for installation of conduit or supports.
  • Requisition materials, using warehouse requisition or release forms.
  • Bolt component parts together to form tower assemblies, using hand tools.
  • Paint a variety of objects related to electrical functions.
  • Operate cutting torches and welding equipment, while working with conduit and metal components to construct devices associated with electrical functions.
  • Break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment.
  • Solder electrical connections, using soldering iron.
  • Trim trees and clear undergrowth along right-of-way.
  • Assemble and cement sections of stained glass together.
  • Measure, cut, fit, and press anti-glare adhesive film to glass, or spray glass with tinting solution to prevent light glare.
  • Create patterns on glass by etching, sandblasting, or painting designs.
  • Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
  • Repair electrical instruments, using electricians' hand tools.
  • Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.

Emerging Tasks

  • Buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish.
  • Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
  • Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.

Work Activities

  • Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
  • Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
  • Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Get Qualified!
This career may require a Degree in Electrician.

Detailed Work Activities

  • apply cleaning solvents
  • assist mechanic, or extractive or construction trades craft worker
  • bend tubing or conduit
  • clean equipment or machinery
  • clean rooms or work areas
  • climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
  • construct or fabricate electrical parts or fixtures
  • dig holes or trenches for foundations, posts, poles, or related items
  • dismantle or reassemble rigging
  • distinguish colors
  • drive automobile, van, or light truck
  • erect scaffold
  • fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
  • install electrical conduit or tubing
  • install/string electrical or electronic cable or wiring
  • maintain electrician's tools or equipment
  • maintain inventory of supplies
  • maintain or repair cargo or passenger vehicle
  • measure, weigh, or count products or materials
  • move or fit heavy objects
  • operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
  • paint walls or other structural surfaces
  • read blueprints
  • read tape measure
  • read technical drawings
  • repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
  • replace electronic components
  • set up specialized rigging
  • solder electrical or electronic connections or components
  • test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
  • test electronic or electrical circuit connections
  • use acetylene welding/cutting torch
  • use basic carpentry techniques
  • use chain saws
  • use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
  • use hand or power tools
  • use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
  • use soldering equipment
  • use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
  • resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
  • resolve personnel problems or grievances
  • schedule employee work hours
  • set priorities for construction workers
  • understand construction specifications
  • use hand or power tools
  • write employee orientation or training materials
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
  • use oscilloscopes in electronics repair
  • use soldering equipment
  • use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
  • use hazardous materials information
  • use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
  • use spray paint equipment
  • use surfacing machine to polish terrazzo or concrete
  • verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
  • work as a team member
  • understand construction specifications
  • use basic carpentry techniques
  • use basic plumbing techniques
  • use building materials for routine building maintenance
  • use building or land use regulations
  • use concrete fabrication techniques
  • use hand or power tools
  • use hand or power woodworking tools
  • use hazardous materials information
  • use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
  • use oral or written communication techniques
  • verify trueness of structure using plumb bob or level
  • weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Tools & Technology Used on the Job

  • Air compressors
  • Air spades
  • Airhammers
  • Ammeters
  • Automatic wire strippers
  • Awls
  • Backhoes
  • Bear claw wire threaders
  • Block and tackle equipment
  • Bucket trucks
  • Bulldozers
  • Cabinet tip screwdrivers
  • Cable cutters
  • Cable gripping gloves
  • Cable labeling machines
  • Cable lacing needles
  • Cable reels
  • Cable splicing knives
  • Cable tie guns
  • Capacitance testers
  • Circle cutters
  • Circuit test meters
  • Compaction tampers
  • Conduit deburring tools
  • Conduit locknut and reaming pliers
  • Continuity testers
  • Cordless drills
  • Crescent wrenches
  • Crimping tools
  • Current clamps
  • Cutting torches
  • Desktop computers
  • Diagonal cutting pliers
  • Dies
  • Digital multimeters
  • Double-end can socket wrenches
  • Drill presses
  • Drills
  • Dump trucks
  • Electric impact drivers
  • Electric manlifts
  • Electricians' knives
  • Electricians' snips
  • Excavators
  • Extension lamp extractors
  • External snap ring pliers
  • Fish tape pullers
  • Fuse pullers
  • Gas leak detection devices
  • Generators
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI testers
  • Growlers
  • Hacksaws
  • Hammers
  • Hand operated indentors
  • Handtrucks
  • Heat guns
  • Heavy duty crimping tools
  • Hex key sets
  • Hoists
  • Horizontal boring tools
  • Hydraulic conduit benders
  • Inductance testers
  • Infrared scanners
  • Insulated bolt cutters
  • Insulated cable cutters
  • Insulated knives
  • Insulated nutdrivers
  • Insulated pliers
  • Insulated screwdrivers
  • Insulated socket sets
  • Insulated wrenches
  • Internal snap ring pliers
  • Jackhammers
  • Ladders
  • Levels
  • Lighted magnet pickups
  • Lineman's pliers
  • Long nose pliers
  • Loop PSC testers
  • Magnetic locators
  • Manual conduit benders
  • Meggers
  • Megohmmeters
  • Metal locators
  • Multimeters
  • Nibbler cutting tools
  • Non-contact voltage sensors
  • Notebook computers
  • Nut drivers
  • Ohmmeters
  • Personal computers
  • Phase rotation meters
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Picks
  • Pipe threaders
  • Pliers
  • Plumb bobs
  • Pneumatic compacting equipment
  • Polyvinyl chloride PVC cutters
  • Post drivers
  • Power cable cutters
  • Power conduit benders
  • Power drills
  • Punchdown tools
  • Punches
  • Ratcheting cable cutters
  • Recordkeeping software
  • Report generation software
  • Residual current device RCD testers
  • Resistance bridges
  • Respirators
  • Saws
  • Scaffolding
  • Screwdrivers
  • Screw-holding screwdrivers
  • Shears
  • Side cutting pliers
  • Soldering irons
  • Strap wrenches
  • Tape measures
  • Tapered reamers
  • Taps
  • Telescoping lighted pickups
  • Tongue and groove pliers
  • Transfer impedance meters
  • Trenchers
  • Two way radios
  • Utility knives
  • Voltage meters
  • Welding equipment
  • Welding hoods
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire stripping pliers
  • Wire wrap guns
  • Wirepullers
  • Wrenches
  • Socrates Contractor's Library
  • SoftEmpire Electrical Calculations
  • Soldering tools
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Square shank screwdrivers
  • Staple guns
  • Strap wrenches
  • Tablet computers
  • Tape measures
  • Tapered reamers
  • Tapping tools
  • Telescoping lighted pickups
  • Tension gauges
  • Terminal crimpers
  • Test lamps
  • Threading dies
  • Timberline Office
  • Tongue and groove pliers
  • Torpedo levels
  • Transfer impedance meters
  • Truck cranes
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
  • Two way radios
  • Universal stripping tools
  • Utility cable cutters
  • Utility knives
  • Volt tick meters
  • Voltmeters
  • Wattmeters
  • Welding equipment
  • Welding hoods
  • Wheeled wire dispensers
  • Winches
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire dispensers
  • Wire dollies
  • Wire hand caddies
  • Wire loop pullers
  • Wire strippers
  • Wire wrap guns
  • Word processing software
  • Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
  • Two way radios
  • Utility hoists
  • Utility knives
  • Ventilation fans
  • Vernier gauges
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Water levels
  • Wedges
  • Welding distribution panels
  • Welding machines
  • Welding shields
  • Welding tip cleaning files
  • Welding tips
  • Wire brushes
  • Wire rope pullers
  • Workshop cranes
  • X ray inspection equipment

Education, Training & Experience

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

Salary & Wages

  • Average hourly wage (2007) -$11.96
  • Average annual wage (2007) - $24,880.00

Projected Employment Growth

  • Projected growth (2006-2016): 6.78%
  • Projected need (2006-2016): 7,146
  • Employment (2006): 105,340
Get Qualified!
This career may require a Degree in Electrician.

Related Occupations