If you’re considering changing careers to train as an electrician, you may be feeling anxious about whether or not electrical work is a good fit for you and your skills. This blog will explore what makes a good electrician so that you can decide whether being an electrician is the right career for you. Let’s get started!

1. Do you like working with your hands?

It’s rare to find an electrician sitting behind a desk, instead they are moving, building, fixing and problem-solving with their hands. If you’ve always loved hands-on, practical projects like home DIY or building furniture, becoming an electrician could be a natural fit for you.

2. Do you have good attention to detail?

Many of the tasks carried out by electricians require meticulous attention to detail, particularly jobs that require complex wiring or reading blueprints. One small mistake in electrical work can be extremely dangerous, so having a precise attention to detail is a crucial skill.

3. Do you enjoy problem solving?

A key part of being an electrician involves diagnosing and resolving technical electrical issues efficiently. Electricians need to be able to analyse situations and come up with informed, safe and creative solutions. So, if you’re someone who likes to figure out how things work and won’t give up until you find an answer, a career as an electrician could be perfect for you.  

4. Are you comfortable with basic maths?

Electricians are frequently required to work out calculations relating to power, voltage and resistance, so anyone looking to work in this field will need to have an understanding of basic maths. You don’t need to be a complete maths whiz, but a solid understanding of measurements, basic algebra, and technical diagrams will go a long way!

5. Are you physically capable?

Being an electrician can be physically demanding. You may need to climb ladders, carry heavy equipment, crawl through tight spaces and work in basements and attics. However, if you don’t mind getting dirty and you are comfortable moving around and spending time on your feet, you should have no issues working as an electrician.

6. Are you looking for a job with security?

The demand for skilled tradespeople like electricians is on the rise. So if you’re looking for a stable job that will always be in demand and has great opportunities to grow, becoming an electrician could be your best decision yet.

So, would I be a good electrician?

If you answered yes to most of the questions above then yes, you may have what it takes to be a good electrician!

At Access Training, we offer a selection of electrician courses and apprenticeships that can fast-track your journey to becoming an electrician. Use the buttons below to browse our electrical courses or get in touch with us today!

Electrical Courses         Get in Touch

It's the issue that jobseekers in pretty much every sector recognise: it's difficult to find work when you have no experience, and it's difficult to gain experience when you're unable to find work!

Gaining work experience as an electrician is no different, that is why we have put together this blog post that highlights the importance of electrical work experience as well as discussing what electrical work experience options are available to you. Let’s dive in!

Why Is Experience Important for Electricians?

Hands-on electrical experience is important for trainee electricians, as although classroom training provides important theoretical knowledge, applying these concepts in practical situations is a different ball game altogether.  

Working with electricity can also be extremely dangerous and practical experience helps to enhance understanding of safety protocols and hazards in a real world situation. Plus, this experience is crucial in helping trainee electricians become more confident with their work, knowledge and tools. This practical training will not only help reduce on-site injuries, but will ultimately create more confident, efficient and knowledgeable electricians.

Why Is It Difficult for Trainee Electricians to Gain Work Experience?

It can be particularly difficult for trainee electricians to gain work experience because many employers require prior on-the-job experience. This creates a catch-22 situation where new electricians struggle to get experience, without having experience!

In addition to this, many companies are hesitant to take on those who are inexperienced due to the dangerous nature of electrical work, and therefore would rather hire experienced individuals that are already familiar with the job.

To overcome these challenges, there are a couple of different options:

• Get your qualifications and complete an NVQ

A NVQ is a National Vocational Qualification that demonstrates a person’s ability to do a job. At Access Training, both our Professional and Premium electrical courses include an NVQ, but with our Premium course, you can get your Level 3 NVQ and a guaranteed work placement.

This means that not only will you be completing the portfolio of work required for the NVQ, but also gaining valuable work experience that will help you find work later on.

• Enrol on the Access Apprenticeship programme

With our Access Apprenticeship programme, once you’ve completed your Level 1 Health & Safety training and obtained your CSCS card, we can get you a guaranteed interview with a UK construction firm who can then employ you as a groundworker or labourer.

This will provide you with invaluable on-site work experience early on in your programme while you complete your other electrical qualifications.  Plus, all of our Access Apprentices earn a standard site labourer wage – so you can earn while you learn!

So, if you’re struggling to find work experience as an electrician, give Access Training a try today. Get in touch or use the links below to find out more!

Electrician Courses  Electrician Apprenticeships

The short answer: No, in the UK, you cannot sign off electrical work in your own home unless it is considered “non-notifiable” work.

For any significant electrical work, you must hire a qualified electrician who is part of a government-approved Competent Person Scheme and registered under Part P of the Building Regulations. They will be able to self-certify their work and sign it off with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) which ensures all work meets safety standards.  

What Is “Non-Notifiable” Work?

Non-notifiable work refers to minor electrical alterations, for example:

• Changing a light switch
• Moving a socket outlet
• Moving cables
• Replacing damaged cables
• Replacing light fittings or control switches
• Adding a fused spur to an existing circuit

However, it is important to note that if the work being carried out is in a ‘special location’, like a bathroom, sauna or outdoors, you must notify your local building control.

What is “Notifiable” Work?

Notifiable work includes:

• Adding new circuits/ installations
• Work in special locations i.e. bathrooms or outdoor
• Changing a fuse board on a consumer unit
• Rewiring all/part of a house

All notifiable work must be signed off by a registered electrician, who is then responsible for notifying the local authority. Attempting to self-certify any complex electrical work is not only extremely dangerous but will leave you liable if issues arise later on.

Plus, if your electrical work isn’t properly certified, it can invalidate your home insurance in the case of an electrical incident!

Wanting to save the hassle and get qualified as an electrician? Here at Access Training, we offer a range of electrician courses, suited to everyone, no matter your experience level. Get in contact with us today to find out more!

Contact Access Training   Contact Access Training

If you’re looking to install a new electric shower, you may be wondering whether you should call a plumber or an electrician. A plumber will be well-equipped to handle the water supply connections and pipework you will need for your new shower; however any electrical work should always be carried out by a Part-P qualified tradesperson.

This Part-P qualified tradesperson will need to be able to:

• Assess your current electrical system to ensure it can handle the additional load of the shower.
  
  
• Choose the correct cable size for the shower’s power rating.
  
  
• Have access to the equipment needed to test new electrical equipment and installations.
  
  
• Correctly fill out an electrical test certificate for the job.
  
  
• Safely connect the shower unit to the electrical supply.
  
  
• Test the installation to ensure it functions safely.
  
  
• Inform the local building authority control to let them know that electrical installation work has been carried out in a room containing a bath or shower.

In summary, you will need to find either a qualified electrician or a Part-P certified plumber to install your electric shower, as they will be trained in both the plumbing side of the installation and qualified to do the electrics.

This is essential due to the dangerous combination of water and electricity that this job involves; hiring someone that is not experienced or qualified for the job will not only be hazardous but will ultimately cost you a hefty sum for repairs in the future.

Do you wish you could install your electric shower yourself? Why not considering changing careers and training as an electrician?

Access Training offer a number of bespoke electrician courses to people of all ages and backgrounds. With qualifications including general installation, Part P training, PAT Testing and more, we're certain we have the right electrical course for you.

Get In Touch & Enrol Today!

In the UK, ensuring electrical safety in homes and workplaces is a top priority. To achieve this, there are regulations in place that dictate who can carry out electrical work. This article will answer your questions about becoming a qualified electrician in the UK, including the necessity of certification and the paths you can take to achieve your goals.

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