Career Advice for an Electrician

Electricians service, install and repair electrical equipment and circuits. They work with wiring, lighting, and control systems within business premises or homes. An electrician may work on building sites, in a factory or warehouse, or on domestic electrical tasks.

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How to Become an Electrician

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Electrician

Should you wish to work as an Electrician you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Electrician

  • Two or more GCSEs or equivalent
  • Diploma in Electrical installation or Electrical Building Services Engineering
  • Construction Skills Certification Scheme for working on construction sites

Key Responsibilities for an Electrician

  • Installing electrical wiring and lighting systems
  • Maintaining and repairing electrical control equipment
  • Following technical schematics for installation
  • Carrying out general electrical systems maintenance
  • Inspecting and identifying electrical issues with testing devices
  • Repairing or replacing electrical fixtures and wiring
  • Maintaining circuit breakers
  • Working with clients or other technicians on large projects
  • Collaborating with other team members to ensure all projects stay on track
  • Billing and chasing payments from clients

What to expect as an Electrician

Electricians install and repair electrical systems. They work in businesses to maintain electrical infrastructure and equipment or install new wiring and fixtures on construction sites. Electricians can work for a company or be self-employed working on either commercial or domestic premises. To succeed as an electrician, you will need qualifications in electrical engineering or installation and work on complex systems.

Recommended Electrician Jobs

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How to get Electrician Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Electrician job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Electrician application. If you have not held an Electrician position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Electrician role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Electrician CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Electrician application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Electrician in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Electrician 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Electrician and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Electrician experience.

How to get Electrician Experience

What does it take to be an Electrician? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Electrician jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Electrician through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Electrician Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Electrician part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Electrician or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Electrician freelance work

If you have impressive Electrician qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.