Electrician

Electricians install, test, repair, maintain and modify electrical equipment, wiring and control systems. They use wires and cables to connect electrical equipment, such as heaters or lighting, to electrical power sources. They also use electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults, as well as test and maintain electrical connections to ensure they are not faulty.

Qualification

Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) 

Sector

Residential / Civil / Commercial / Resources

What might a working day look like?

Every day can be different and varies depending on the job, but you may be involved in:

• Installing, altering, repairing and maintaining electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, signals or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises
• Reading and interpreting electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts
• Cut, thread, bend, assemble and install conduits and other types of electrical conductor enclosures and fittings
• Positioning, maintaining and installing distribution and control equipment such as switches, relays, data cabling, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures

Working hours

• Full-time hours per week
• Shift work/on call

Conditions

• Working indoors and/or outdoors in most weather conditions
• Working often in confined spaces

Skills and personal qualities

• Be able to understand and interpret technical drawings, blueprints or plans
• Can analyse information to trouble shoot problems
• Enjoy keeping up with new technologies
• Be able to distinguish colours to work with colour coded wiring
• Have a careful, methodical and accurate approach to work
• Have an awareness of safety issues, especially when working at heights or in confined spaces
• Work as a team or independently
• Enjoy practical work and have a reasonable level of physical fitness
• Good time management, reading, maths and problem-solving skills

How to get started

Entry into this occupation is by completing a Certificate II Electrotechnology pre-apprenticeship whichthen leads to a Certificate III Electrotechnology (Electrical) apprenticeship.

Future Pathways and opportunities

• Business owner
• Sub-contractor