[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER 1: You can’t see it. You got to feel it. Ooh, it’s shaking. It’s electric. Hi. My name’s Clyde Simmons. I’m an electrician, and I created the world’s most popular line dance. I was a trainee right out of the military listening to this new tape and came up with the 16 steps, one for each circuit I installed. And I break out my new dance– the Electric Clyde.
People called it something else. But originally, it was my thing. Through the years, it became something I did to celebrate finishing the job. I met a lot of people working various jobs. People always needed an electrician– reading plans, pulling wire, installing switches and lighting. So I grew a nice little business for myself.
Bought a home. Started 401(k) for my retirement. Took nice vacations. You could say [INAUDIBLE] caught on in more ways than one. After my nephew, Quinn, finished high school, I brought him on to be my apprentice. He was a quick learner.
SPEAKER 2: I was good at math and science, but a four year college just wasn’t my thing. But I like using my hands and building stuff. You can say I got my degree on the job with Uncle Clyde.
SPEAKER 1: Q always had steady hand-eye coordination. Picked up a lot of things from me– even some of my dance moves.
SPEAKER 2: Electricians get ongoing training because technology codes and safety practices are always changing, just like dancing.[MUSIC PLAYING] To the left, to the left. No, no. To the right, to the right. I was about to kick the sofa, but then this new dance move pops into my head. And after we got the flat screen home, I teach them the move. I call it the Q Shuffle. Everybody knows I came up with it.
SPEAKER 1: Q was new school. He learned about all this smart technology. Now, Q and I install home theaters, smart Wi-Fi lighting, smart thermostats–
SPEAKER 2: Alternative power sources, power walls, and retrofit to LED lighting.
SPEAKER 1: Everybody wants to put a ring on it.
SPEAKER 2: The student became the teacher.
SPEAKER 1: Quintin is a good example for young kids. He’s been making great money since he finished high school, and has no student debt.
SPEAKER 2: Entry level electricians make two to three times minimum wage. Within five years, you can make about 50k a year– way more if you own your own business.
SPEAKER 1: Many of the electricians I know make six figures now and have a great lifestyle. Now I’m set to retire next year while I’m still young.
SPEAKER 2: Young-ish.
SPEAKER 1: All right now.[LAUGHS] You see, most electricians are closer to my age than his. Young electricians will always find work.
SPEAKER 2: And the industry is expected to grow at 10% a year for the foreseeable future. Now, that’s job security.
SPEAKER 1: Mm-hmm.
BOTH: Becoming an electrician is a power move.