Electricians fit and repair electrical circuits and wiring in people's homes and businesses. They also install and maintain electrical equipment, instruments and machinery. If you are good with practical work, can follow technical plans and want a varied job, this could be a great career for you. You'll also need to be well organised and understand the importance of safety regulations.

To qualify as an electrician you will need to complete industry-recognised training and qualifications. A common way to do this is through an Apprenticeship.

Electricians work in a very wide range areas, from bringing power to people's homes to major engineering projects. They also work with renewable technology, such as wind turbines, 'smart' heating systems and photovoltaic systems that produce solar power.

As an electrician, you would install, inspect and test equipment, make sure that electrotechnical systems work, and find and fix faults.

Electrotechnical careers are divided into different roles:

• installation electrician - installing power systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings
• maintenance electrician - checking systems regularly to make sure that they are working efficiently and safely
• electrotechnical panel builders - building and installing control panels that operate the electrical systems inside buildings
• machine repair and rewind electrician - repairing and maintaining electrical motors and other machinery like transformers to make sure that they work correctly
• highway systems electrician - installing and maintaining street lighting and traffic management systems that tell the public what they need to know when they’re on the roads and motorways.

You can work in all kinds of buildings, including homes, offices, shops and sports stadiums. You may also supervise other people in a team.

Key skills:

• good practical skills
• an ability to follow technical drawings, building plans and wiring diagrams
• an ability to work carefully, methodically and safely
• a head for heights and willingness to work in all sorts of weather
• a willingness to work in confined spaces
• good written and spoken communication skills
• an ability to work in a team as well as on your own
• a flexible approach
• good problem-solving skills
• an ability to plan and organise other people's work, and motivate them.

Average salary (2014):

United Kingdom: Newly-qualified electricians may earn between £19,000 and £22,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £23,000 and £30,000.

Qualifications and training required:

To qualify as an electrician, you need an industry-recognised level 3 qualification, such as:

• Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
• Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures) if part of an Apprenticeship.

The first two qualifications in the list are accredited by the awarding bodies, City & Guilds and EAL. The third qualification is accredited by City & Guilds.

These qualifications are normally completed while you are working. You may also need extra training if you want to do specialist work like installing environmental technology systems like solar panels. A common route into this work is to do an Electrotechnical Apprenticeship. This combines learning on the job with study at a college or training centre. It normally takes two to four years to become fully qualified. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers.

You can prepare for working in this industry by taking a part-time or full-time college training course. Courses will cover basic electrical theory, industry health and safety and give you some of the practical skills needed for a trainee job. These courses can be used as a springboard to higher level qualifications, an Apprenticeship scheme or may help when looking for work in the industry as a trainee.

Source: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk