Being an electrician sounds like an inviting job. The work is rewarding and well-paid, and you get to move around a lot, going from one job to the next instead of spending all day at a desk.
But is it easy being an electrician? You'll probably get a different answer to that question from each electrician you ask, but nevertheless, here are a few things to consider when deciding if you'd like to become an electrician.
Is being an electrician easy?
Once qualified, an electrician's job can vary greatly from day to day, which may mean that some days are easier than others. We find that most of our graduates enjoy this diverse selection of work and find the job fulfilling and satisfying. Of course - as with any job - the more experience you gain, the easier it will become.
When you work with electricity, there is obviously some danger that comes with the job - click here to read our blog post on this subject. The risks are very minimal once you know what you're doing, but no matter how long you've been an electrician for, it's always important to remain vigilant.
In general, with a healthy salary (more than £30,000 per annum on average) and a wide selection of work on offer, being an electrician is very worthwhile, and enjoyably challenging without being overwhelming.
If you are considering a career as an electrician, click the links below to find out what each of our electrician training courses entails:
What qualifications do I need to be an electrician?
Nothing worth having comes easily, and of course that is true of a successful career. Electricians have to go through the appropriate training to learn the relevant skills and stay safe –after all, it's crucial to know what you're doing when you're working with electricity!
That is why there are certain qualifications that you MUST have before starting work as an electrician. These qualifications are included in our Essential Electrical Course which will provide you with:
- Part P Domestic Installer
- 17th Edition Electrical Regs
- Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings
Is it hard to train to be an electrician?
Here at Access Training, we offer a range of electrical courses (which you can browse here) that are suitable for learners of all ages and all experience levels. These courses allow you to gain industry-recognised qualifications and become a fully-certified electrician within a relatively short window of time. We wouldn't necessarily call our courses 'easy' - there's a lot of theory and technical skill involved in becoming a professional sparky - and students have to work hard in order to pass the course and earn the qualifications necessary to start work as an electrician.
However, our courses do allow you to become qualified in a quicker period of time than traditional methods. Whereas other electrician training takes years, Access Training allows you to gain qualifications within a much shorter time frame.
Being an electrician: pros & cons
Pros
Paid apprenticeships
A big incentive for becoming an electrician is the fact that you could start earning before you've even qualified. Where other careers require you to go to university for a number of years - costing you money - paid apprenticeships enable you to become a qualified electrician while getting paid!
Here at Access Training, we can get you a guaranteed interview with a UK construction firm who can employ you as a groundworker or labourer. All you need to do is complete your Level 1 Health & Safety training and obtained your CSCS card. Then you’ll complete the theory portion of your electrical course while also gaining invaluable on-site experience.
Good salary
Electricians make good money due to the specific skills required and high-risk nature of the job. According to Reed, the average salary for an electrician in the UK is £40,524 a year.
Work for yourself
If you were to set up your own business and work for yourself, you'd have the freedom to choose the jobs you want and the hours you work. As a self-employed electrician, you would also have the ability to decide your own rates so you have the potential to earn more than the average electrician.
Read more: What Is a Self-Employed Electrician's Salary?
Cons
Safety risks
Working with electricity is up there with one of the most dangerous careers. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), electricians and those who work with electricity are at risk of:
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electric shock and burns from contact with live parts
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injury from exposure to arcing (when electricity jumps from one circuit to another)
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fire from faulty electrical equipment or installations
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explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus
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static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, for example in a spray-paint booth
Job security/inconsistent hours
For self-employed electricians, there is a risk of running out of work. Sometimes weeks or even months could go by without securing a job. Fortunately there are full-time, permanent electrician roles out there if you're not interested in starting your own business.
That being said, even those with full-time employment contracts will have to deal with inconsistent hours and often long hours too, which is something to bear in mind.
For any advice on what being an electrician is like, or about any of our courses, feel free to get in touch with the Access Training team.