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The
outlook for this cluster in Tennessee is Excellent.
That is: The growth rate is above the average for all occupations
across the state. There are more job openings expected annually
than there were training completers in a recent year.
National
Supply and Demand for Electricians
Job
opportunities for skilled electricians are expected to be
excellent, largely due to the numerous openings arising each
year from experienced electricians who leave the occupation.
In addition, many potential workers may prefer work that is
less strenuous and has more comfortable working conditions.
Well-trained workers will have especially favorable opportunities.
Employment
of electricians is expected to increase about as fast as the
average for all occupations through the year 2010. As the
population and economy grow, more electricians will be needed
to install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes,
factories, offices, and other structures. New technologies
also are expected to continue to stimulate the demand for
these workers. Increasingly, buildings will be prewired during
construction to accommodate use of computers and telecommunications
equipment. More factories will be using robots and automated
manufacturing systems. Installation of this equipment, which
is expected to increase, should also stimulate demand for
electricians. Additional jobs will be created by rehabilitation
and retrofitting of existing structures.
In
addition to jobs created by increased demand for electrical
work, many openings will occur each year as electricians transfer
to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for
other reasons. Because of their lengthy training and relatively
high earnings, a smaller proportion of electricians than of
other craftworkers leave their occupation each year. The number
of retirements is expected to rise, however, as more electricians
reach retirement age.
Employment
of construction electricians, like that of many other construction
workers, is sensitive to changes in the economy. This results
from the limited duration of construction projects and the
cyclical nature of the construction industry. During economic
downturns, job openings for electricians are reduced as the
level of construction activity declines. Apprenticeship opportunities
also are less plentiful during these periods.
Although
employment of maintenance electricians is steadier than that
of construction electricians, those working in the automotive
and other manufacturing industries that are sensitive to cyclical
swings in the economy may be laid off during recessions. Also,
efforts to reduce operating costs and increase productivity,
through the increased use of contracting out for electrical
services, may limit opportunities for maintenance electricians
in many industries. However, this should be partially offset
by increased demand by electrical contracting firms.
Job
opportunities for electricians also vary by area. Employment
opportunities follow the movement of people and businesses
among states and local areas, and reflect differences in local
economic conditions. The number of job opportunities in a
given year may fluctuate widely from area to area.
Source:
U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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