Electricians install, repair and maintain electrical equipment. They use wires and cables to connect electrical equipment, such as heaters or lighting, to electrical power sources. They also test electrical connections to ensure they are not faulty and install surge protectors.
Specialisations
- Electrical Fitter
- Electrical Contractor
- Electrician (special class)
Knowledge Skills and Attributes
- to enjoy technical work
- good vision and hand-eye coordination accuracy, with a keen eye for detail
- good physical fitness
- to be safety conscious
- to be able to work independently and in a team
Education Training Requirements
To become an electrician you usually need to complete an Electrical Appliance Serviceperson or Electrical Mechanic Electrotechnology Electrician apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships and Traineeship
As an apprentice, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer. You spend most of your time working and learning practical skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training with a registered training provider of your choice. They will assess your skills and when you are competent in all areas, you will be awarded a nationally-recognised qualification. The apprenticeship usually takes 4 years to complete. To improve your chances of gaining an apprenticeship, you can learn some relevant electrical skills through the Certificate I in Engineering (Pre-Apprenticeship – Electrical), which includes a supervised work placement. The Certificate takes 6 months (1 semester) full-time to complete.
