Is your Electrician Qualified for the Job?
Most people tend to take electricity for granted. Its like air, only noticeable when there’s a lack of it. According to Statista, there is an army of 259,000 (2019 estimate) electricians around the United Kingdom, keeping your lights on. They help install and maintain electric supply, wiring installation, power distribution, etc., in homes and offices.
You need postsecondary training to become a qualified electrician in the UK and work for a reputed firm, like Hexo Electric Testing. The qualifications begin with a high school diploma. Sometimes, an employer provides on-the-job training. Many aspiring electricians undertake a training program at their local vocational institute. It provides a solid background before entering an apprenticeship under a master electrician, which may last 4-5 years. The apprentice may receive appropriate certification upon passing the relevant exam. Check out a whangarei electrician for more information.
An electrician needs training, certification, and appropriate skills.
Electrician Training Programs
Most employers prefer electricians with a formal education in a technical or vocational school. Some local colleges offer programs for hands-on experience in the residential and commercial sector. Technical training programs teach all the basic theoretical knowledge required for an electrician, like wiring, circuitry, and safety. You can find the Top 10 Trade Schools in Each State and ensure that the electrician you are hiring has got training from one of those trade schools.
Who is Suitable to Become an Electrician?
A 9 to 5 job just isn’t suitable for some people. Their brains are wired differently, and they cannot stand the idea of a desk job. Working as an electrician is a dangerous occupation, but it is also rewarding. They say no two days are ever really the same for an electrician out in the field.
The main job of an electrician is to install and maintain the electrical system and appliances. They need to understand technical drawings, building maps and wiring illustrations. They must have good practical and problem-solving skills. It is an essential part of their job to inspect circuit breakers and transformers for faults.
People with an aversion to heights, confined spaces, or working outdoors in poor conditions will not feel comfortable as an electrician. This job demands an adventurer’s spirit; natural all-rounders are best suited for it. Electricians need mathematical disposition because they will be doing calculations every day. There might also know a little bit of carpentry and building work. It is best for an electrician to have a small working knowledge of different trades.
Career Routes for an Electrician
1. Maintenance Electrician
This job consists of checking the electrical systems to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
2. Installation Electrician
An installation electrician installs power systems, fire protection, security, lighting, data-network systems, etc., in all types of buildings, residential or commercial.
3. Electrotechnical Panel Builders
They build and install control panels that control the electrical systems inside a building.
4. Repair & Rewind Specialist
These electricians repair and maintain electrical motors or other electrical machinery, like transformers.
5. Highway Systems Electrician
This job consists of installing and maintaining specific traffic management systems, such as street lighting and traffic signals.
Typical Electrician Qualification
To qualify as a certified electrician, you need an industry-recognized level three qualification, such as;
- Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma for Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
- Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma for Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
- Level 3 Diploma for Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures), if part of an apprenticeship