Journeyman electricians are electricians that are part way through the training process, with the goal of becoming a master electrician. Electricians install and repair wiring and electrical systems in residences, factories and businesses. They will inspect the wiring, circuit breakers and transformers as part of their duties and they need to be familiar with building code regulations to ensure that all of the electrical work done on a project is up to code. They also need to know how to read blueprints so that they can ensure that systems are installed correctly and that they're in the right place. Electricians learn through an apprenticeship, and some may opt to attend technical school.
Journeyman electricians are electricians who have acquired the training and experience necessary to work independently, but who have not attained licensure as master electricians. Journeyman electricians may work with electrical wires, fixtures and control systems in commercial, industrial and residential buildings, but typically do not design the initial electrical system for a building, which is usually done by a master electrician.
As a journeyman electrician, you could install lighting and security systems or connect transformers, circuit breakers, switches and outlets. You may also inspect and test the integrity of existing wiring systems and supervise the work of apprentices.
Electricians are trained to one of three levels: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Electrician. In the US and Canada, apprentices work and receive a reduced compensation while learning their trade. They generally take several hundred hours of classroom instruction and are contracted to follow apprenticeship standards for a period of between three and six years, during which time they are paid as a percentage of the Journeyman's pay. Journeymen are electricians who have completed their Apprenticeship and who have been found by the local, State, or National licensing body to be competent in the electrical trade. Master Electricians have performed well in the trade for a period of time, often seven to ten years, and have passed an exam to demonstrate superior knowledge of the National Electrical Code, or NEC.
