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Electrician

Do you want to become a Electrician? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

• Electricians install and maintain the cables, conduits, fittings, meters, switchgear and wiring for the electricity supply for a house, office or other building.
• Installation electricians follow architects' or contractors' plans to install new electricity supply equipment. They have to make sure the system is earthed and tested before the electricity company will connect the supply.
• Electricians rewiring or fitting new equipment in an existing system may have to ensure the supply is disconnected before they can remove the old equipment and install the new.
• Service and maintenance electricians may work on large manufacturing machinery or may repair washing machines, cookers or office equipment.
• Electricians may work alone or with other tradespeople, such as plumbers, carpenters, and builders.

Normal working hours are 37 to 40 a week, Monday to Friday, but many electricians work overtime, weekends and shifts to fit in with customers. Part-time or flexible hours may be possible, especially for self-employed electricians.

Electricians work both indoors and outdoors and may have to do a lot of bending. Working conditions can be cramped, cold, dirty or dusty.

Salaries range from around £10,000 to £23,000 or more a year.

Electricians need to be

• good with their hands
• good at maths and science, especially physics
• able to follow technical drawings and work out calculations
• highly safety-conscious
• interested in practical work.

Around 350,000 people work in the electrical industry. They work for electrical contractors and building firms, manufacturers, engineering companies, local government, hospitals, colleges, power generating and supply companies. There are also many self-employed electricians. There is a shortage of trained electricians and there are good prospects for those with experience.

The most usual route into the job for young people is through an apprenticeship, usually at 16 or 17. Colleges also offer City & Guilds 2351 Electrical Installation.

An electrical installation apprenticeship usually takes around four years and includes on-the-job practical training through work experience. Apprentices also spend time at college on a day or block release basis.

Electricians working for companies may be promoted to supervisory or management positions. Further training and qualifications are essential to become an approved installation electrician and to move on to work at a higher level. Installation electricians can become self-employed or set up their own contracting businesses.

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