What does an Electrician do?
Electricians are part of the technical team that ensures the full functionality of a system, building, or machine. They are hired to lay out and install electrical wiring systems, troubleshoot and repair faulty electrical lines, and maintain existing electrical installations. They are usually employed within the maintenance department of an organization, by construction companies, factories, electrical engineers, and other firms that rely heavily on electricity installation, maintenance and repair.
Electrician skills and qualifications
Electricians are required to have certain specific skills and qualifications before working on electrical projects. Top Electricians are active listeners, good at troubleshooting, solving problems, and making decisions. Their skills also include critical thinking, design thinking, and coordination. Other common skills required of Electricians include:
- Proficiency in using electrical tools and equipment
- Understanding of how different electrical systems work
- Time management and organization skills
- Knowledge of mathematics and basic calculations
- Communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to continuously learn about trends in the electrical industry
- Leadership and teamwork
- Creativity
Electrician experience requirements
As a technician, familiarity and hands-on experience with different tools and equipment are required. Electricians often must have a minimum amount of hands-on experience working on projects, whether as an apprentice, intern or trainee. The ability to work with the different tools is also essential, so an electrician should be familiar with, and have some years of experience working with, these tools. Electricians are required to be creative and think critically, so they should have some experience as innovators.
Electrician education and training requirements
Like many other technicians, Electricians must generally also have a minimum of a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalents. Apart from being a standard for hiring, the minimum educational requirement is also required to gauge the candidate’s communication skills. They are required to also have completed a four- to five-year apprenticeship program and pass the final trade exam. To work on many projects, electricians must be certified by a regulatory body. In Alberta, for example, electricians must have a certification from the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office before being allowed to work on electrical projects and sites.
Electrician salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average pay for an Electrician $31.14 per hour. However, rates may vary because of the location experience, and the company.
Job description samples for similar positions
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