Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Careers Explorer:
Install, maintain and repair electrical equipment, making sure everything in the building works properly and safely.
Overview
As an Electrician, you’ll install maintain and repair electrical equipment and systems, from switchboards to renewable energy technologies, in industrial, commercial and domestic environments.
You’ll be highly-skilled, follow very strict safety regulations and will keep up to date with the different types of legislation covering electrical equipment.
You will find yourself transporting data along fibre-optic cables and programming computer-controlled “intelligent” buildings and factories.
Technology is developing at a rapid rate and the range of electrical or ‘smart’ products requiring engineering skills is increasing, so these are roles that are in demand.
Electricians are prepared to work in both indoor and outdoor settings, as well as able to work on their own proficiently and work without immediate supervision in the most efficient and economical manner.
Installation Electricians work on the installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of low voltage (less than 1000v) electrical and electronic devices and appliances.
Maintenance Electricians work on the maintenance of electrical and electronic installations including automated production systems. Duties include the supervision of the equipment, its maintenance and necessary repairs.
Top 5 Tasks
- You’ll maintain electrical and electronic installations
- Carry out necessary repairs and maintenance
- Set out jobs from drawings and specifications
- Adhere to safety regulations to protect you and others
- Work with customers and clients.
Salary
Newly trained electricians can earn in the region of £17,000 – £20,000
Trained with experience electricians can earn in the region of £19,000 – £30,000
Senior or master electricians can earn in the region of £30,000 – £36,000
Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, and any overtime you may do. Self-employed electricians set their own pay rates.
Am I Suited?
- Problem solver
- Hands-on
- Efficient, yet effective
- Friendly
- Excellent communicator
There’s more than 250,000 Electricians working in the UK.
Qualifications
To work as a qualified Electrician, you need an NVQ Diploma at Level 3 in Electrical Installation. You need additional training to do specialist work such as installing environmental technology systems.
You usually need at least four GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent, including English, maths and science.
You must have normal colour vision to work with electrical wiring. You must pass a colour vision assessment.
