About Electrician Apprentice HQ

Last updated on April 24th, 2021.

Hi, I’m Thomas Hawkins. CEO & Founder of Electrician Apprentice Headquarters.

The purpose of building Electrician Apprentice Headquarters was to consolidate all the jargon on the web about becoming an electrician apprentice and streamline it into one site.

As a previous electrician apprentice who has attended a trade school and apprenticeship, I understand how difficult it can be to find answers to specific questions about the entire process of joining an electrical apprenticeship.

I graduated from high school with low SAT scores from binge drinking the night before my exams, and I decided to join the U.S. Air Force in hopes of finding a path to adulthood. My family is full of veterans so it seemed like a safe bet.

I spent six years as a member of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) career-field, which identifies itself as the “black sheep” of the Air Force. Living on Army bases as an Airman provided fuel for inter-service rivalry, copious beer drinking, and trash-talking.

After a few deployments, I came to a crossroad, stay in or get out. I decided to separate from the service and focus on my family.

Starting over was tough, but manageable. I stumbled upon the trade from a comment my wife made. When I was struggling to figure out my next move she said, “Why don’t you become an electrician? My friend in nursing school’s husband is an electrician and they both drive nice cars.”

Unfortunately, that’s the truth.

(No, there wasn’t any ambition to learn about electricity. At least not at the time)

I first started in a trade school before learning about the IBEW apprenticeship to which I promptly applied and was accepted.

I didn’t know anything about the trades or construction. Hell, I didn’t know ANYTHING about how electricity worked. Luckily, I was eager to learn and had great instructors/mentors to help along the way. Five years later I graduated apprentice of the year. Now, I’m a Master Electrician at Glencore, and run Electrician Apprentice HQ – the best online resource for learning how to become a licensed electrician in the US (we’re based in Dallas, Texas).

Ever since I was in my third year of training I’ve wanted to build a site to help streamline the best information about becoming an electrician. Now I feel like I’ve done that, and it brings me great joy.

I’ve been featured in various online publications, including:

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback about the site. I look forward to hearing from you.