A guide to becoming an electrician

Though the economy is "fused out," the demand for electricians is steady or on the rise because the population is rising and the government is building more affordable housing. Electric safety regulations are tighter now boosting the demand for qualified electricians. Old electricians are nearing the retirement age as well, so there is no dearth of opportunities for an electrician.

The basics of being an electrician

Depending on your qualification and training, you will be required to work in the different areas in public or private sectors or both. The electrician work can be indoor or outdoor, and will involve general maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or installation of electrical equipment and accessories. You can work at a factory or in a office or in a healthcare facility, in a team or as a solo electrician. The work can be in the form of electrician employment or contract, or you can be self-employed. Electricians can even progress to become part of management teams. Qualities that an electrician must possess -Methodical -A person who follows procedures -Problem-solver -Pays attention to detail -Critical thinker -Excellent communicator -Confident -Decision maker -Physically fit -Has a perfect colour vision

How to become an electrician

Electrician qualifications Students between the ages of 17 and 19 can start by becoming an apprentice in an electrical facility. They need to have grade C and above in GCE maths, English and science. They should also understand technical drawings and pass an aptitude test. Advanced apprenticeship can stretch up to four years, and by the end of the apprenticeship, students can get an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification ) Level 3. Mature candidates or candidates who do not have the time to go through the apprenticeship can get a certificate from a vocational training institute like City & Guilds. Courses from this institute include the popular City & Guilds 2330, which is a Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology. There are other valid electrical courses conducted by the same institute. Such vocational electrician schools combine offline and online training, including practical work in electrical installations, and can effectively teach students how to be an electrician. So, students can become an electrician by taking electrician courses from the comfort of their homes and then applying their theoretical knowledge in actual electrical installations. Electricians' salaries The starting salary for an apprentice is around £10,000/year these days (01.09 2011). Salaries for experienced electricians go up to £25,000/year, depending on qualifications and experience. Self-employed electricians can make much more if their business takes off. All employed electricians are required to put in 40 hours of work every week. This was all about how to be an electrician and what course to take.
The electrician typically lights up people's lives, and it is a steady career.