Electricians are associated with a variety of different jobs, depending on their specialist training and expertise. Typical work includes electrical installation in buildings and industry, health and safety standards and legal issues, inspection and testing of portable appliances, fire, safety and security systems, including CCTV, IT, data and networks, telecommunication networks, process control systems, building management systems and hazardous areas.
Salaries vary according to experience. Pay rates recommended by the Joint Industry Training Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry are as follows:
• Apprentices from £10,000
• Basic from £17,000
• Approved status from £23,000
Working between 37 and 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working overtime and shifts, electrical apprenticeships jobs may be with a wide range of employers’, including electrical manufacturers, building firms, engineering companies, power generating and supply companies and local government, on construction sites, in residential areas, commercial buildings and both inside and outdoors.
Electrical apprenticeships jobs are demanding so you must be physically fit and able to climb on scaffolding and ladders, pull wiring and ropes, crawl around floors and rafters, crouch, and work in confined and cramped areas. You cannot be colour blind, as wiring is generally keyed by colour. You may be working outdoors extensively so the ability to withstand the elements for long periods is a requirement as well.
You will need a sound knowledge of technology and demonstrate an understanding of engineering principles, whilst thinking methodically and capable of following instructions. You will encounter many challenges and problems to solve! Obviously, you need to be good with your hands. There’s no point entering a career in this if you are particularly clumsy, or you may end up switching the whole city’s electricity supply off by mistake!
Electrical apprenticeships typically take about 4 years to complete from start to finish. The different stages of training vary depending on whether you apprentice through a college, directly under an electric company or within the private sector. In the second stage, you will learn advanced theories at college about 20% of the time while getting on-the-job training the remaining 80%. In the third stage, you will begin to carry out your on-site tasks with less direct supervision. In the final stage, you will show your abilities to plan and execute a range of tasks completely on your own.
Once you achieve the NVQ level 3 and pass trade tests your electrical apprenticeship will be complete.
