Electrician
Also called Electrical fitter, electrical technician, installation electrician.
Electricians install power, lighting and renewable technologies in buildings. They also inspect and repair electrical control systems and machinery.
- Potential salary
- £26,000 starter to £45,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 45 a week. Working pattern: on call as customers demand.
- Career area
- Construction and the built environment
- Where they might work
- You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or at a client's home. Your working environment may be cramped and at height. You may need to wear protective clothing.
- A typical task
- test electrical systems to make sure they're safe
- Subjects that may help
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
- Typical route
- No university route listed.
- Interest area used here
- Making, fixing and working outdoors
What you might do
- test electrical systems to make sure they're safe
- build electrical control panels
- service and repair electrical components in machinery
- fit smart controls for lighting, heating and security systems
- install electrical and fibre-optic cabling in homes and businesses
- respond to emergency call outs
More tasks (3)
- install solar panels on buildings
- work on the roll out of electric vehicle charging points
- service and maintain controls on low carbon heating and cooling units
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- knowledge of building and construction
- maths knowledge for understanding technical plans
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to use your initiative
More skills
- the ability to work well with your hands and use equipment safely
- customer service skills for working with colleagues and clients
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Routes into this career
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Building Services Engineering
Related, but not enough on its own. A degree does not replace an electrical apprenticeship or trade qualification.
- Electrical and electronic engineering
Related, but not enough on its own. Becoming an electrician is an apprenticeship and qualification route, not this degree.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could start a college course to get some of the technical knowledge and skills that may help you get onto an apprenticeship, or find a trainee position with a company.
- Courses include: electrical installation; electronic and electrical engineering; T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction.
- Even with a qualification, you will still need practical experience in the workplace, along with further on-the-job training, to become fully qualified.
- You can apply to do an apprenticeship with an electrical company, such as: Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship; Domestic Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
- Apprenticeships are open to all ages.
- You can also train to become an electrician through an apprenticeship in the armed forces.
- If you've worked as an electrician and do not yet have a level 3 qualification, you may be able to get your skills and experience recognised through the Experienced Worker Assessment.
- There are 2 assessment routes available, with one requiring at least 3 years' experience and the other needing 5 years.
- You may be able to get a job as an electrician if you've got experience and relevant qualifications from a related career, for example in building services or electrical engineering.
Career progression
- With experience, you could work in: site supervision; estimating and contract management; electrical project design; training apprentices in a further education college.
- You might also become self-employed and set up your own electrical business.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship