what is an electrical technician?
As an electrical technician, you install or maintain electrical systems in residential and commercial settings. You work with various equipment, including switches, transformers, generators and circuit breakers. You also resolve issues and repair electrical systems to ensure they work properly. For instance, you could check for faulty wiring or short circuits in electrical systems.
Electrical technicians often work with electrical engineers to create engineering plans for electrical systems and perform supporting roles. You ensure effective spare parts management and supervise project improvement processes as an electrical technician.
Most electrical technicians work in the maintenance department of a company and conduct field repairs on electrical, mechanical and instrumentation systems. During maintenance duties, you coordinate shutdowns to reduce downtimes and system failure rates. As well as improving maintenance standards, you lead efforts in equipment standardisation by carrying out overhauls to ensure best practices within the plant. In manufacturing, an electrical technician performs process improvements and enhances production safety by ensuring the proper functioning of electrical systems.
Would working as an electrical technician suit your interest in engineering and complex systems? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an electrical technician role.
view jobsaverage salary of an electrical technician
According to National Careers, an electrical technician takes home a median salary of £20,000 annually in entry-level positions. Experienced workers earn over £40,000 per due to their qualifications and expertise. The compensation could be in hourly rates or monthly payments depending on the company and whether you work full-time or part-time roles.
H3: how to increase the salary of an electrical technician
The major determinant of your compensation package is your experience. In entry-level positions, you have limited expertise, which reduces your earnings significantly. Working as an electrical technician gives you hands-on experience, improving your knowledge and expertise. Employers are usually willing to pay more for experienced electrical technicians who require minimal supervision.
Aside from experience, your skillset and qualification also affect your earnings. For instance, if you pursue an apprenticeship programme to join the role, your compensation package is lower than university graduates. When you possess unique skill sets, you can perform additional tasks and suggests process improvements that benefit the organisation.
The role you play also determines your payment due to the differences in job complexity. For instance, electrical technicians working in installation take home better salaries than those working in maintenance.
types of electrical technicians
The types of electrical technicians depend on the level of expertise and licencing. To become an electrical technician, you require intense on-the-job training to learn the ropes. The more hours of supervised training you complete, the higher your qualifications. When you master the necessary techniques, you can work independently.
- apprentice electrical technician: as an apprentice electrical technician, you complete a four-year training programme and work under supervision as you gain hands-on experience in the role.
- journeyman electrical technician: as a journeyman electrical technician, you have at least two years of work experience and extensive knowledge of installing and maintaining electrical systems. You also tackle electrical jobs without supervision.
- master electrical technician: as a master electrical technician, you supervise other electrical technicians. You work independently, and you are certified to open your own business.
working as an electrical technician
Electrical technicians carry out diverse functions depending on the industry. However, your role is primarily maintaining and repairing electrical equipment and systems. Here are the highlights of an electrical technician's duties, tasks, work environments and career outlook:
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electrical technician job description
Specific tasks vary with industry and specialisation. However, some standard duties of an electrical technician include:
- wiring and installing junction and outlet boxes: you assist with street lighting and fixing problems in lighting systems. Your job may involve laying wires or connecting them to outlet boxes, circuit breakers or lighting fixtures to ensure they work properly. You also perform wiring duties if you work for an internet provider or cable company. Your tasks could include laying fibre optics and wires to supply an internet connection to homes and commercial buildings.
- troubleshooting and repairing electrical equipment: you maintain complex electrical equipment and machinery, using diagnostic tools to identify electrical problems in a system and find solutions. Therefore, you need knowledge on how to troubleshoot various electrical issues in electrical wiring and systems.
- maintaining electrical systems: you participate in preventive and planned maintenance to ensure electrical equipment or systems are in excellent condition. Your job is to create the maintenance procedures for electrical systems. For instance, you determine the best times for shutdowns to reduce downtimes during maintenance. You also escalate issues that require additional expertise to the electrical engineers.
- reading electrical blueprints: you read and interpret electrical blueprints for various electrical systems and buildings. Electrical blueprints are complex since they show intended wiring and connections that comply with electrical codes and local laws. The blueprints also specify the amount of power and wiring in every part of the electrical system, including electrical components like lighting fixtures and plug outlets.
- following electrical codes and regulations: you should be conversant with the local electrical codes and regulations. This includes minimum standards for safe electrical design, installation and inspection. You should also remain updated on changes to any regulations to ensure safety.
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work environment
As an electrical technician, you work in various industries, from residential to commercial buildings. You also work in technology or telecommunications companies and maintain electrical systems in manufacturing industries like industrial electricians and hvac technicians. That means your work settings are as diverse as the companies you work for. For instance, an electrical technician can work in an office during the planning stages to support electrical engineers. If your electrical systems are indoors, you also work in climate-controlled environments. Some electrical technicians work outdoors installing electrical systems or laying wires for street lighting and internet services.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues as an electrical technician may include electricians, electrical engineers, electronics technicians roles, mechanical technicians, field engineers, and factory managers. You may also work with project managers and maintenance technicians, as well as other specialists that could include facilities managers, building service engineers and electricity distribution workers.
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work schedule
The typical work schedule for electrical technicians is 40 to 42 hours a week when you work full-time. The work week may extend to weekends to meet deadlines or deal with emergencies. You are likely to work in shifts in companies that operate around the clock. If you work for a maintenance company, you travel to various locations to fix electrical systems. Working from home is not possible since the work you do is hands-on.
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job outlook
As an electrical technician, you perform installation and maintenance work. That means you could specialise in your area of interest and move into roles like electrical engineering or become a maintenance engineer. Some electrical technicians move into design work or supervisory jobs like facilities manager or building service engineer.
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advantages of finding an electrical technician job through randstad
Finding your electrical technician job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an electrical technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the ways to join the role include:
- university and college courses: you should pursue a higher national diploma or foundation degree in electrical and electronics engineering. The course equips you with knowledge of various electrical systems and skills necessary for the role. Alternatively, complete a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in electrical installation or electrical and electronics engineering. Some T-Level courses include building services engineering and engineering, manufacturing, processing and control.
- apprenticeship: you can pursue an electrical engineering technician advanced apprenticeship programme and learn the job as you train. The requirements for the apprenticeship are 5 GCSEs.
electrical technician skills and competencies
Electrical systems have many moving parts, and every electrical technician requires a diverse skill set. Some of the qualities necessary for the role include:
- problem-solving skills: as an electrical technician, you disassemble equipment to locate a problem, then put everything back together again. This process requires keen technical abilities, critical thinking and algebra skills.
- diagnostic skills: you won't always find the source of an electrical problem immediately. Sometimes, you identify the problem by conducting tests before you begin any repairs. You require superb diagnostic skills to service equipment effectively in conventional and unconventional ways.
- business knowledge: whether you become an independent contractor or a tech who works for an established company, you need good time management and customer service skills.
- communication skills: as an electrical technician, you explain problems and solutions to people who may not understand all aspects of their electrical systems, which requires good communication skills. These skills also help you train your apprentices after you're promoted.
- excellent colour vision: to troubleshoot most electrical systems, you should be able to identify wires by colour.
FAQs
FAQs about working as an electrical technician.
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what is the difference between an electrician and an electrical technician?
Electrical technicians and electricians both service electrical systems. However, electricians mainly install equipment and wiring inside new buildings, structures and existing homes. Electrical technicians assemble, maintain and repair electrical systems and components designed for homes, factories and offices.
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do electrical technicians make good money?
In the UK, electrical technicians earn £20,000 to £40,000 yearly. This relatively attractive income varies depending on your qualifications, experience and skill set.
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what is the highest-paying position for an electrician?
The highest paying job for an electrical technician is a director of electrical engineering. The role entails planning the layout of electrical systems in large commercial settings and factories. The work experience and expertise required for the job increase the remuneration prospects.
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how long does it take to become an electrical technician?
The path you take towards the role determines the duration. For instance, if you pursue a foundation degree, the course could take three to four years, while college courses take a shorter time.
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how do I apply for an electrical technician vacancy?
Applying for an electrical technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our electrical technician job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
