The US needs Electricians in order to Electrify

What does it mean to “electrify everything” in America?

EV chargers for cars in every garage. Each building equipped with rooftop solar and battery storage. About 1 billion new electric machines in U.S. homes. 

For each of these as well as the 60-70% of homes that will need upgraded electrical panels and rewiring to support the higher loads the green shift would require, we need electricians.

In many states, the policies that are pushing us towards electrification, however, can actually make it harder to perform this necessary work. For example, in Massachusetts, battery storage systems for rooftop solar – soon to be ubiquitous because soon every new solar system will have a battery attached – can only be installed by licensed electricians.

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act - the federal government’s unprecedented investment on climate - there will be huge spending on greenification. If it’s serious about Getting Better, though, it should incentivize states to rationalize skilled trades rules, including increasing apprenticeship ratios.

Alternatively, states should establish new licensed occupations that are apprenticeable. (California has such a category, but it’s relatively ineffective because electricians are still required and it’s not apprenticeable)

Over the past decades, the number of electricians hasn’t kept up with population growth, let alone the need to electrify everything. And according to the National Electrical Contractors Association, nearly 30% of union electricians are close to retirement.

We will need 80,000 more electricians each year for the next decade to keep up with demand!

Interested in becoming an electrician? Sign up for BlockTrain today!