building your community

Electrician

Introduction

Electricians are responsible for safely installing and maintaining electrical and electronic systems. Within local authorities, they carry out different types of work:

• installing wiring systems and equipment in new buildings (and in building conversions)
• maintaining and repairing wiring systems and equipment in existing properties
• installing and maintaining street lighting and associated equipment

They may either be directly employed by the local authority, or by a firm of contractors carrying out work on the local authority’s behalf. Various departments within local authorities need the services of electricians. Property services departments and housing departments require installation and maintenance electricians; highways departments employ street lighting electricians. In all, around 8,000 electricians work for local authorities.

Work Environment

Electricians work:

• on building sites
• in occupied buildings, carrying out maintenance and repairs (they could be working, for example, in council houses, schools or old people’s homes)
• on public highways, installing and repairing street lighting.

Working conditions can be cold, damp and dusty. It may be necessary to work in confined spaces and at heights. The work involves travel to different sites. Electricians wear protective clothing, including overalls, hard hats and steel-capped boots.

Daily Activities

Electricity is potentially dangerous and safe working practices are essential.

Electricians normally install new wiring systems in buildings before the electricity supply is connected. Working from architects’ or contractors’ drawings, they install the first part of the wiring system, known as the ‘first fix’. Then, once plastering is completed, they carry out the ’second fix’, connecting the wiring to light fittings, sockets, switches etc. In building conversions, they start by stripping out the old wiring and then replace it, to modern specifications. All wiring, connections and equipment are tested before connection to the mains supply.

Maintenance and repair work in existing properties involves first isolating the electricity supply. Using special testing instruments, electricians diagnose faults, then carry out repairs.

Street lighting electricians work from a vehicle with an access lift attached, and at ground level. They drive to a number of sites each day. Repairing street lamps involves testing the circuit, diagnosing and repairing the fault. Installing new street lamps involves wiring a new lamp post, fitting the lantern and connecting up to the supply.

Electricians use various types of electrical testing equipment and a range of hand tools (specially insulated for safety purposes).

The basic working week is 37 hours, Monday to Friday.

Skills & Interests

Electricians need:

• practical hand skills and the ability to use a range of tools
• a methodical, patient approach - to diagnose and test electrical faults
• neatness and tidiness, especially when working in occupied premises
• a reasonable level of physical fitness, as the work can involve stretching, bending, kneeling and long periods of standing.

They should be able to work alone, without direct supervision, and in a small team.

Entry Requirements

Most entrants start by taking an Apprenticeship. Four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in maths, English and a science are a good indication of suitability, but are not always essential. Applicants must pass selection procedures and have normal colour vision.

Advanced Apprenticeships, which lead to NVQ/SVQ level 3, normally last around four years and include college training and practical experience in employment.

It is possible to enter an Apprenticeship after taking A levels/Highers (physics is particularly useful), or after GNVQ/GSVQ - e.g. in the built environment, science or business.

Successful completion of an Advanced Apprenticeship and NVQ/SVQ level 3 qualifies the holder as an electrician. Two years’ further experience leads to the ‘approved electrician’ grade.

Estimated salary range

The basic annual salary is likely to be between £13,000 and £15,000. This may be supplemented by overtime payments and additional allowances, e.g. for working in London.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

An approved electrician can become a chargehand or foreman/woman, responsible for organising a team. Promotion can then lead to a ‘technician’ post, for which additional training and qualifications may be required.

Further development is possible through study for qualifications such as HND, degree or higher level NVQs/SVQs. These can lead eventually to a post as an electrical or electronic engineer.

It is possible to move from jobs with local authorities to employment with private contractors, and vice-versa.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Building Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Summit Skills www.summitskills.org.uk

Energy and Utility Skills www.euskills.co.uk

Apprenticeship information www.apprenticeships.org.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under GE.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Electrician vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.