JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016 - 219

FOCUS :

ELECTRICAL

In a
rapidly
changing
electrical
industry,
careers
are varied
and skilled

Working for an
electrical wholesaler

F

or every kind of
building or civil
engineering structure
to function, it needs
electrical systems,
like electrical wiring,
telecommunications wiring, street
lighting, electric signals, fire and
burglar alarms. In a rapidly changing
electrical industry, careers in this
sector are varied, challenging and
require a specific skill set.

Words: Olivia Holcombe. Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock.

Working as an electrician
As an electrician, you could be working
on anything from domestic installations
bringing power into people's homes,
right up to huge feats of engineering.
Dealing with electrics is practical and
highly responsible work that requires an
in-depth understanding of installation
skills and electrical diagrams, with health
and safety a priority at every stage.
Renewable technology including 'smart'
heating systems and wind turbines also
comes under an electrician's remit.
You'll need precision, manual
dexterity, an aptitude for maths and
great problem-solving skills. It's vital
to keep up with new regulations and
technological developments as they're
introduced, as well as ensuring your work
complies with the UK's wiring and
building regulations.
This career can involve working at
heights - on a construction site or at the

instead of a fully qualified electrician.
But to take on any other project,
whether that's commercial, industrial
or agricultural, you'll need to gain an
industry-recognised Level 3 qualification
that many people do via an
apprenticeship. Qualifications include:
* Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in
Electrotechnical Services
(Electrical Maintenance), accredited
by City & Guilds and EAL.
* Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Installing
Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment
(Buildings, Structures and the
Environment), accredited by
City & Guilds and EAL.
* Level 3 Diploma in Electrical
Installations (Buildings and Structures)
if it's part of an apprenticeship,
accredited by City & Guilds.

top of a ladder or scaffolding - as well
as carrying out tasks in confined spaces.
Work is varied - one day you might be
involved in a standard installation, the
next could see you finding and fixing
faults, and then the next carrying out
inspecting and testing.
According to the Office of National
Statistics, the average electrician salary
is £30,172, which compared to other
trades, is the highest. As with other
jobs in the construction sector, rates
tend to vary depending on where you
live and who employs you.

How to become an electrician
If you intend to work solely on domestic
projects, you only need qualify as a
domestic installer or domestic electrician

Electrical wholesalers are integral to the
working life of an electrician, as they act
as a one-stop shop for everything that
electricians and electrical contractors
need to carry out their work - whether
that's for residential, non-residential or
industrial markets.
Not only do wholesalers supply
a huge range of products such as cable
management, lighting and wiring
accessories, they also stock protective
equipment and safe and reliable tools that
reduce the risk of electrocution.
Wholesalers are also often a source
of expertise themselves, helping
electricians and electrical contractors
to find the right products they need
quickly and for a competitive price.
Working for an electrical wholesaler
in a customer-facing role on the trade
counter, you will need either previous
experience of working within the
electrical industry or you'll receive
on-the-job training to make sure your
product knowledge is sound.
Find out more about becoming
an electrician by going to www.
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
and searching for 'electrician'.
NICEIC is the UK's leading voluntary
regulatory body for the electrical
contracting industry. See www.niceic.com

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 1 9
http://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk http://www.niceic.com
JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016
