Becoming an electrician can afford you a great career in a field with a lot available employment and potential for earning very good wages. But there are a number of requirements necessary to becoming an electrician, including education, work experience, and internships.
The first step is to maintain good grades and earn no less than C grades on your GCSEs, especially in science, math, and English. Having good grades will help you find a good employer to begin your career with. The next step will be to find an employer so you can begin your apprenticeship. How quickly this happens will depend on the number of electricians working in your area and the types of jobs they do. And the potential employer must work in at least two fields comprised of domestic, industrial, or commercial work. You need training in at least two of these areas in order to meet the qualifications requirements to become an electrician.
If you are having trouble finding an employer consider taking the Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations, or the City and Guilds 2365. This is a comprehensive study course that will teach you what you need to know, even if you have no prior experience as an electrician. This will help you gain necessary skills making you a more appealing candidate for an apprenticeship. It can also help you speed up your training and obtaining the necessary qualifications to become a fully certified electrician. In some cases you can find work before you even complete the diploma.
Once you have found an employer that will take you on, you next need to apply to a college or training centre for the classroom requirements of your apprenticeship. Some of the typical qualifications required to be an apprentice may include:
- City and Guilds 2357 Diploma
- EAL Electricians Diploma
- Key Skills at Level 2
Besides your classroom training, you will need to keep record of the physical jobs that you do for your employer. The best way to do this is with a log or journal. You will also need to verify your log with records from your employer including Risk Assessments, job sheets, test results, and photographic evidence. This portfolio will be assessed by a qualified examiner and expert in electrical qualifications.
In order to get your NVQ, or National Vocational Qualification, there are a number of courses you must take to complete the requirements. It can take anywhere from two to four years to complete your training for full qualification. After you have completed all of the requirements you will have to take an assessment test. An example of a practical skills assessment is the Achievement Measurement 2.
Once you are a qualified working electrician, you may be working in a number of building and structures, including sports stadiums, radio and television stations, houses, shops, offices, and other locations. You will be responsible for installing, testing, and inspecting equipment, maintaining equipment, and finding and fixing any problems. Becoming an electrician involves a lot of effort and patience, but it can also be quite rewarding.
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