What can you expect from a job as an electrician?

What can you expect from a job as an electrician?

An electrician is any skilled tradesperson who designs, installs, maintains, and repairs the electrical systems and products across a wide range of environments which include used domestic, commercial industrial and agricultural.  

Responsibilities

As an electrician, you're responsible for getting electricity from its source to the places where individuals and business consumers can use it. The specific responsibilities associated with this job may vary depending on the area of specialisation, but they might include:

• Planning the electrical systems for new buildings, including the best position for electrical outlets, light fixtures, heating outlets, and ventilation systems

• Reading and interpreting architect blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents

• Installing wiring, lighting, and control systems in new and existing buildings, according to municipal codes

• Forming electrical circuits, by connecting electrical wires to components and fixtures and testing completed circuits

• Installing switches, circuit breaker panels, relays, and other electrical control and distribution equipment

• Installing hangers and brackets to support electrical products

• Performing maintenance procedures to keep wiring, lighting, and control systems in good working order

• Inspecting circuit breakers, transformers, and other electrical components for faults

• Using testing devices to discover why electrical products and systems are malfunctioning

• Repairing, replacing, and upgrading faulty or outdated electrical equipment, fixtures, and wiring, including isolating faults for safe removal and replacement

• Training other electricians and directing them to perform specific tasks

Work Environment

Electricians may spend their time working inside buildings under construction or renovation or outdoors on power and telecommunications systems. They may work in large spaces or in cramped conditions. These working environments often involve live electrical wires, so they can be quite dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken. Often electricians work independently on projects, but they may also be part of a larger construction team.

Unlike many employees who have a regular place of work, electricians work on a remote site for a certain period of time, ranging from a single day to a few months, before moving on to the next job. Job sites can be far from electricians' homes. It's not uncommon for electricians to travel 100 miles or more from their home to complete work.

Schedule

Electricians enjoy year-round job opportunities. Their hours vary depending on their role. Maintenance electricians usually have regular work which they complete in a typical 40-hour week. Most keep regular business hours on weekdays and don't usually work on weekends, public holidays, or late at night. Some electricians work on-call and put in extra hours to troubleshoot urgent problems.

In contrast, independent electrical contractors and the junior electricians who work underneath them don't have such regular hours. They may have a busy schedule one week and have few hours the next. Working as an independent electrical contractor or consultant gives electricians the most flexible schedules.

Skills

Electricians rely on a variety of technical skills and personal attributes to excel in their positions. While these attributes aren't usually listed on an electrician job description, don't underestimate their appeal to hiring managers:

• Understanding of electrical standards – Electricians must meet recognized standards for all installations and repairs.

• Understanding of mathematical and scientific principles – While electricians don't need advanced mathematical and scientific skills, they will apply the basic principles of these disciplines to their work.

• Good comprehension skills – These will help electricians interpret and understand memos, blueprints, and technical documents they receive on new job sites.

• Keen eyesight and hand-eye coordination – Working with electrical products, components, and systems is precise work which relies on steady hands and excellent vision.

• Independent worker – While electricians may work as part of a larger construction team, this position tends to be a solitary role that suits people who prefer working on their own.

• Time management – It's essential for electricians to complete work to manage their time well and complete projects on schedule.

• Concern for safety – Electricians work in dangerous environments which place them at risk of shocks and burns, so it's important to be cautious.

• Critical thinking – After product and system testing, electricians use the data they collect to diagnose problems and determine the best solutions.

• Logical problem-solving skills – When electrical products and systems fail, electricians must think logically to find solutions to these problems.

• Customer service skills – Having a personable demeanor helps electricians deal with residential and business customers.

• Physical endurance – Electricians often have to stand or kneel for extended periods, which can take a toll on the body.

• Physical strength – It's not uncommon for electricians to move heavy components weighing as much as 50 pounds.

• Leadership Skills– As electricians progress in their careers, they will be called on to manage apprentices and junior electricians in the workplace.

Salary Expectations

How much do electricians make?

This all depends on their level of experience and location. Entry-level electricians usually earn around £17.00 per hour. Salary increases sharply early in an electrician's career. By the time electricians have between 5 and 10 years' of experience behind them, they usually command around £42,000 a year. Average annual salaries sit at approximately £48,000. However, electricians in some of the nation's most lucrative markets stand to make much more. For example, the average annual salary for an electrician is £54,210 in London and the South East.

Becoming An Electrician

A typical prerequisite to becoming a licensed electrician is approximately four years working as an apprentice under a master electrician. There will be a classroom portion of this that will include around 600 hours of learning about electrical theory, electrical codes, and more. Additionally, you will need 8,000 hours of hands-on training during the apprenticeship.

However, don't let that discourage you, there is an alternative. The Fast Track course. Our Fast Track course is the number route for adults looking to start a new and exciting career as an electrician.  The Fast Track course is by far the most popular course package that we offer which will lead you to becoming a Level 3 qualified Electrician in under one year. You can also complete the Gold Card Programme which will lead you to becoming a fully qualified Gold Card Approved Electrician.