What's involved

There are two different types of electricians who work in many different kinds of places, including domestic, industrial, commercial, leisure and agricultural buildings, structures and environments.

An installation electrician completes the installation, inspection, testing and commissioning of electrical systems, devices, appliances and equipment.

A maintenance electrician maintains, services and repairs electrical and electronic systems in commercial environments, as well as those above. This may include office blocks, leisure complexes, shopping centres or automated production systems.

Skills required

You'll need to be good at technical subjects or have an interest in technology to do this job. You'll also need to be good at solving practical problems and have good colour vision to recognise colour coded wires.

Good communications skills to deal with a range of people are important and you'll need to be enthusiastic about your work.

Qualifications required

At least four GCSEs Grade A*-C, including English or Welsh, Maths and Science are required, although other qualifications may be accepted.

(Applications from students with the Foundation or Intermediate Welsh Baccalaureate are also welcomed).

Salary ranges

(This is a guide to the average salary a fully qualified and experienced person might expect to get.)

£20,000 - £30,000

Progression routes

Once they have the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications, electricians can register on a Certification Scheme.

They can also progress on to learning and assessment programmes that lead to Level 4/5 qualifications such as a Higher National Certificate, Foundation Degree and/or a Higher Apprenticeship.

Installation engineers often train further to take up other roles as a technician, system designer, estimator, project/contracts manager, site/workshop supervisor/manager, chartered engineer, sales engineer or commercial manager.

Maintenance electricians often train further to take up other roles such as a technician, designer estimator, project manager, site/workshop supervisor/manager, chartered engineer, sales engineer or service manager.