Klein surveyed hundreds of electricians around the United States to get their opinion on several issues related to their profession. The result is Klein Tools State of the Industry report. We’re really really excited to go through the results and what they mean for pros out there. By conducting the survey as a tool manufacturer through an independent research firm rather than by the company that sends each professional their paycheck, Klein is likely getting more candid and honest responses. Remember, these are working professionals on the jobsite day in and day out – they know what they’re talking about.
Klein Tools State of the Industry: Experience
- 75% believe there are not enough electricians on job sites.
- 37% believe there are not enough entry level electricians at job sites.
- Of professionals with at least 20 years of experience, 45% believe there is less skill among pros, while 16% believe there is more compared to 5 years ago.
- 45% of pros believe there are not enough very experienced (15+ years) on job sites.
Decoding the Stats
The first two points are very telling of the number of tradesman jobs available. According to a Klein Tools’ blog post, the next decade could see new job openings for electricians up 20%. That’s not great news for the pros that are already telling us there is a shortage of veteran and apprentice electricians on job sites already. On the other hand, it’s great news for someone that doesn’t want to go to college but still earn a solid living in a skilled trade.
The third point shows us that more pros than not believe the amount of skill reaching the job site is declining. All sorts of social factors may be playing into that one. The biggest one might be the “college for all” push in the last several years that seems to have taken the wind and pride out of attending a trade school after high school graduation. I’ll leave the majority my social commentary on the sideline for now though.
Finally, the majority of professional electricians are over the age of 45. The most experienced are retiring in droves (as they well deserve!) while the shortage of workers that has been felt for years is catching up to the industry in the form of fewer highly experienced electricians.
Klein Tools State of the Industry: Training
- 55% said that 1000 or more hours of training are required before becoming an effective electrician.
- 62% of 20+ year pros said they have actually received over 1000 hour of training.
- 55% of pros with less than 10 years of experience believe less than 250 training hours are necessary.
- Of the pros with less than 10 years of experience, 9% believe they have received too much training.
Decoding the Stats
I believe this is a generation gap issue. My Grandfather worked most of his post-WWII career at a power plant and would likely have fired any young buck that said they’d received too much training before even hitting the 10 year mark. On the other side of the argument, he actually had to diagnose issues, not just plug a computer into a machine or point a thermal imaging camera at one. If you ask me if I want a 20+ year pro working on my house or someone with less than ten, I’ll take the first. Give me the option of someone with 1000+ hours of training or less than 250, and I’ll still take the first.
The belief that less training is needed by the younger generation also correlates with the statistics above saying that there is a general lack of skill compared to five years ago. Here’s what co-president of Klein Tools, Mark Klein had to say on these findings:
“Electricians are at a renaissance as new technology constantly replaces old standards and practices. Electricians need to be up-to-date both with the latest products and also the newest building practices so time in the classroom and also on the job site is critical. Klein Tools works hard to keep tools and materials up to date so electricians of all generations can rely on quality products when they put all of their training to use.”
– Mark Klein
Klein Tools State of the Industry: Project Preferences
- 56% of pros prefer to work on Industrial/Utility projects.
- 37% prefer new home construction.
- 27% of 20+ year pros prefer new home construction.
- 44% of 11 – 19 year pros prefer new home construction.
- 50% of pros with less than 10 years of experience prefer new home construction.
Decoding the Stats
Again, these results seem to be generational. Industrial and Utility projects tend to be done by big companies with large payrolls, stock options, retirement plans, and health insurance – things that more mature pros really care about. These companies are also the beneficiary of the end of the generation that really saw a job as a career opportunity and having the loyalty to stay at one place.
Home construction can vary in size and can involve a larger company with electricians on staff to family operations that subcontract out their electrical work. It’s likely that the need for electricians allows pros that are younger than ever to start their own businesses or at least be much more flexible with their working conditions. The younger generation is more likely to be irked by the stringent requirements of a union negotiated workplace and forgo the benefits of working in that environment for the freedom they enjoy.
201 professional electricians responded to the Klein Tools State of the Industry survey conducted by Russell Research. 40% of respondents were union members and 60% were not.
