How to become an Electrician

What does an Electrician do?

Hate the thought of being stuck in an office all day? Looking to take your DIY skills beyond your living room and on to the next level? If the answer’s yes, becoming an Electrician could be a perfect career move for you.The main role of an Electrician is to install, test, and maintain electrical wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures in a range of different properties and businesses. This could be for lighting, power, security or for many other forms of electrical apparatus.The role of an Electrician will also usually include the following:

• Assessing plans and planning layout of wiring, equipment and fittings
• Installing initial wires (known as ‘first fix’) and connecting them to sockets, light fittings, power supplies and other fittings (known as ‘second fix’)
• Fitting fuse boxes and circuit breakers
• Testing wiring and other electrical equipment, and fixing any faults found or malfunctioning systems
• Laying cables, and connecting computers and other telecommunication networks to power supplies

Is a career as an Electrician right for me?

To be successful as an Electrician, it’s vital that you are a practical person. It is a skilled trade, and you will need highly developed technical skills and a strong attention to detail. Additionally, you will need to be hardworking, dedicated, and able to work well under pressure.It is also important to note that normal colour vision is crucial, as the job will involve distinguishing between a variety of different coloured wires.Other key skills include:

• A friendly and approachable manner
• Manual dexterity
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem solving, and being able to adopt a methodical approach to working
• An ability to analyse technical drawings, and administrative skills (to fill out any necessary paperwork)