Top Skills Needed to be an Electrician
Electricians are typically responsible for a wide range of duties, from wiring installations to fixing older systems to performing routine maintenance. Some specific duties include calibrating equipment, testing electrical systems, improving existing wiring systems, troubleshooting electrical devices and reading blueprints.
Like most tradespeople, electricians can expect healthy job prospects in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for electrical technicians should grow by 14 percent through 2024, a higher rate than the national projected rate. Electricians also earn a decent wage – an average of $51,880 a year, according to 2016 BLS figures.
If you’re currently thinking about a career in electrical work, consider the following essential skills.
Technical ability
Electricians must be able to think technically, which often requires solid math (algebra) and critical thinking skills. These are the same skills you might use working on a car or doing work around the house. If you’re someone who enjoys taking things apart to fix them or see how they work, and you are capable of putting them together again, electrical work might be a solid career choice. Being confident around technical systems and trusting your own abilities is essential in this field.
Problem-solving skills
The diagnosis and fixing of electrical issues is a big part of an electrician’s job. The typical working electrician is often solely responsible for responding to issues and locating a solution. In training to become an electrician, you would be shown how to identify common issues and their solutions. Being able to apply this knowledge and even come up with outside-the-box solutions is a crucial skill for a successful career as an electrician.
Business knowledge
Whether they are working as an independent contractor or they’re employed by a company, electricians must have a good feel for business principles like time management and customer service.
Time management is a particularly valuable skill for electricians, who must be able to regularly finish jobs on time. When a company or employer makes a request for electrical work, there must be an estimate of how much labor it will require and how much it will cost. A reputation for managing time well and accomplishing tasks in a reasonable amount of time will make you extremely valuable.
Electricians must also be able to provide good customer service, as every single job has a customer, whether that’s a department manager within your company or an outside client. Sometimes, people appreciate good customer service more than the product, and a good electrician is aware of this.
Communication abilities
Because electrical work is technical in nature, many people are surprised to learn that interpersonal communication skills are essential. However, electricians must be able to understand what needs to be done and effectively communicate the various solutions, often to people who have no working knowledge of electrical systems. Electricians also need to be able to train apprentices and learn from others, both of which require good communication abilities.
Organisational skills
The ability to organise and manage your time is important for an electrical engineer, as much of your work will likely be time-sensitive or project-based, regardless of which area of engineering you specialise in. It’s not just in the workplace that these skills will come in handy, though. They will also prove invaluable during your studies, where you will be learning and comprehending complex topics on top of everything else that higher education demands. Being able to manage it all and stay on top – especially during exam season – will stand you in good stead.
Creative thinking skills
Engineers are not just problem-solvers – they are pioneers. Whether it’s on a grand scale or a simple one, the solutions they provide change the way we live; therefore, to be able to explore and implement such radical ideas, you need to be able to think outside the box. This is especially true in the commercial sector, where electronics giants are constantly competing to develop new and exciting technologies; it’s also an essential quality that top engineering schools look for in potential candidates. Remember: you can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you don’t know how to be creative and explore new possibilities with it, then you’re going to be left behind.
Programming skills
Although the importance of coding is higher in some areas of electrical engineering than others, it’s still a very useful skill to possess, particularly when working with low-level embedded systems or when analysing data. Java, C, C++ and Basic are the most useful languages to learn in this field, although any programming knowledge that you can bring to the table is valuable. In the long run, it will certainly make your job easier as well as boost your CV, so if you haven’t already, invest some time into picking up some coding skills.
Type Of Electrician
Apprentice Electrician:
Firstly, electrician apprentice typically provides support for electrician installation, maintenance, and overall system. Also, they serve as a helper to the master electrician. Furthermore, the responsibilities of electrician apprentices are to assist, work and learn the task directly. Therefore, this is the beginning stage to be a professional electrician.
Journeyman Electrician:
Journeyman electricians position is above the apprentice and below the master electrician. Also, journeyman electricians, who have work 1000 hours as an apprentice and capable to do electrical installation and repair works. Moreover, they are capable of electrical equipment installation, troubleshoot, and maintain safety standards. Also, they serve as instructors and mentors for apprentice electrician.
Master electricians:
Indeed, master electricians are experienced professionals, who are the key person for any electrical project. Their main tasks are electrical systems design and installation, repair electrical systems, control the system and manage subordinates, etc.
Typical employers of electrical engineers
- Telecommunications, engineering, computing and utilities companies
- Consultancies
- The Civil Service
- The armed forces
Self-employment is possible for individuals who have several years’ experience.
Electrical Technician Responsibilities and Duties
Repair and replace defective components in motors, generators, controllers, storage batteries, switchboards, conductors, switches and varied electrical fixtures.
Install, maintain and repair electrical, electromechanical and electronic parts of machinery and equipment.
Perform defensive repair and preservation of field, plant and shop for electronic and electrical systems, equipment and devices.
Test solid-state circuitry to determine defective components in analog and digital equipment along with defective parts replacement.
Install improvements and major upgrades to electrical plant and subsystems.
Conduct infrared analysis and field equipment examination using specialized thermo graphic imaging and digital cameras.
Design and modify motor power control apparatus circuits.
Read and interpret blueprints, schematics and wiring diagrams.
Prepare schedules and coordinate activities with varied electrical divisions and sections.
Plan and prepare work orders or instructions utilizing blueprints, sketches and drawings.