Working as an Electrician: The Training
At the beginning of 2011 the entry requirements to pursue a career as an electrician were altered. Candidates now need to enroll on a Level 3 NVQ Diploma. There are two courses available: the Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Maintenance) NVQ or the Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Building and Structures).
The NVQ Diplomas include a series of knowledge units followed by a series of practical units. The practical units are usually completed in the work place so candidates pursuing an NVQ Diploma are encouraged to find employment or a placement with an electrical contractor as soon as possible.
College entry requirements for the Diplomas vary but you may need GCSE’s in maths, science and IT or you may be required to sit an aptitude test. In addition, you may be able to qualify for the NVQ diploma if you are enrolled on an apprenticeship scheme with an electrical contractor.
Please Note; you will not be able to pursue an Electrotechnical NVQ if you are colour blind owing to Health and Safety regulations.
Employment Opportunities
As an Electrician you will be able to find employment with construction/building contractors and electrical firms. You can also work for manufacturing and engineering companies and shop-fitting firms. Additionally, there are many employment opportunities with local authorities, the National Health Service or the armed forces.
Electricians also have the option to become self employed, working as a sole trader on small projects or by setting up a firm to undertake larger jobs.
With experience and further qualifications you could move into a supervisory or management role within the electrical sector. Additionally, you could find opportunities in contract management or electrical estimating.
Possible Income
Starting salaries for a qualified electrician can be up to £20k per annum; with more experience this can rise to £23k to £28k per annum. Experienced electricians who have achieved specialist qualifications can expect an income of over £30k per annum.
The Work
Electricians install, test and repair electrical circuits and wiring in homes, businesses and construction projects. Work can range from small scale domestic installations to large scale cable lays in businesses or on building sites.
Typical duties for an Electrician include: reading architectural drawings or building plans to fit wiring, electrical points and sockets; undertaking preliminary installations (known as first fixes) through floors and ceilings and along wall cavities; installing circuit-breakers, earth terminals and fuse boxes; fitting back boxes to enable the installation of sockets and electrical points and connecting wiring to switches, appliances and sockets (these are known as second fixes).
Larger projects such as construction sites and business developments may require you to undertake the laying of cabling, installing security systems and fire alarms, conducting remedial repairs, and testing and inspecting equipment and wiring systems.
Card Schemes
As a qualified Electrician you can apply for the CSCS affiliate cards known as the ECS card or the Electrical Certification Scheme card. This will ensure you are eligible to work on all UK sites currently complying with the scheme; this figure currently stands at over 80%.