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Electrician

Alternative titles for this job include Electrical fitter, electrical technician, installation electrician

Electricians install power, lighting and renewable technologies in buildings. They also inspect and repair electrical control systems and machinery.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 45 a week

You could work

on call as customers demand

Meet Luke

Luke's apprenticeship led him to become a net zero delivery manager.

1 minute 30 second watch

View transcript

Hi my name’s Luke. I’m an electrician, and I've just developed into a net zero delivery manager for E.ON.

One thing that I've always been very proud about is doing my job is that it's something that I'm interested in. So having confidence, being a good team player as well, that's really, really important to be a good team player. If you're working alone, you can have these skills that you can find things and work things out, but having a team behind you that's there to support you is really good.

With the job that we do we’re in people's homes. So, you know, it's a… you have different personalities, different types of customers. So you'll have to adapt to, to those people and those people's personalities, especially when you’re working in their home, because it's their home at the end of the day.

I’ve worked on primarily EV charger installations so that would be on building sites and also in residential as well. Me being on site and being an electrician and going through all those little fault finding things because not everything goes perfectly. You know, you can plan it as best as you want, you can test and inspect it. But if you've got a a product that don’t quite play ball you're there using all the skills that you've got to go through, right, I’m going to test it, you know, and find out where that issue is, where that fault is.

You need to have sort of strong mathematical skills as well, because there'll be things that you have to do like cable calculations and working out cable routes and certain efficiencies and things like that. So good strong mathematical skills is another good one.

But, you know, don't be shy if you're somebody who sort of doesn't feel confident in a certain skill because as time goes on, you, you sort of grow into that role. And as long as you've got a nice support network around you, you know you can achieve what you want to achieve.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a work accreditation scheme
  • applying directly

College

You could start a college course to get some of the technical knowledge and skills that may help you get onto an apprenticeship, or find a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • electrical installation
  • electronic and electrical engineering
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Even with a qualification, you will still need practical experience in the workplace, along with further on-the-job training, to become fully qualified.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship with an electrical company, such as:

  • Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Domestic Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are open to all ages.

You can also train to become an electrician through an apprenticeship in the armed forces.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you've worked as an electrician and do not yet have a level 3 qualification, you may be able to get your skills and experience recognised through the Experienced Worker Assessment.

There are 2 assessment routes available, with one requiring at least 3 years' experience and the other needing 5 years.

Direct Application

You may be able to get a job as an electrician if you've got experience and relevant qualifications from a related career, for example in building services or electrical engineering.

More Information

Career tips

It's very important to check what training courses are offering before signing up. Electrical Careers give advice on how to choose the right training and qualifications to become a qualified electrician.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become an electrician from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • maths knowledge for understanding technical plans
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with your hands and use equipment safely
  • customer service skills for working with colleagues and clients
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card to prove you have the qualifications and experience to do electrical work.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an electrician, you could:

  • test electrical systems to make sure they're safe
  • build electrical control panels
  • service and repair electrical components in machinery
  • fit smart controls for lighting, heating and security systems
  • install electrical and fibre-optic cabling in homes and businesses
  • respond to emergency call outs

We've identified this as a potential green job

For an electrician to be a green job, you could:

  • install solar panels on buildings
  • work on the roll out of electric vehicle charging points
  • service and maintain controls on low carbon heating and cooling units

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be cramped and at height.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could work in:

  • site supervision
  • estimating and contract management
  • electrical project design
  • training apprentices in a further education college

You might also become self-employed and set up your own electrical business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Electrical apprentice

  • Wage: £14,722.50 to £23,809.50 a year Annually
  • Location: NW1 0PE

Electrical apprentice

  • Wage: £14,722.50 to £23,809.50 a year Annually
  • Location: Canterbury
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation

  • Provider: KENDAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Kendal

Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation

  • Provider: NEWCASTLE AND STAFFORD COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 17 September 2025
  • Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

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