I’ll be blunt right from the start: becoming an electrician isn’t some quick, overnight career you jump into. It’s not like setting up a YouTube channel and hoping for viral fame. It’s a trade that requires training, patience, a strong work ethic, and, more importantly, a sharp mind. But if you’re ready to get your hands dirty and want a career with real staying power—one that pays well and offers job security—then becoming an electrician might just be your thing.
In this article, I’ll break down how you can get started in this career, what you should expect along the way, and some honest insights into what life as an electrician looks like. Let’s cut through the fluff and get straight to it.
Why Become an Electrician?
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of how to become an electrician, let’s talk about why. Why should you pick this over a million other careers? Well, here’s the lowdown:
- Job Security: Electricity isn’t going anywhere. Every building, whether it’s a house, an office, or a shopping mall, needs an electrician. And with advancements in tech (smart homes, electric vehicles, renewable energy), demand for electricians is only growing.
- Good Money: Electricians are well-compensated, especially compared to other trades. Starting out, you might not be rolling in cash, but experienced electricians can earn a solid living—often more than many university graduates with fancy degrees.
- Hands-On Work: If the thought of sitting in an office from 9 to 5 makes you break out in hives, becoming an electrician could be a breath of fresh air. It’s a hands-on job where you’ll be moving, fixing, and solving problems. No two days are exactly the same.
- Independence: Once you’re qualified and gain some experience, there’s nothing stopping you from starting your own business. If you have the drive, you can eventually become your own boss.
The Basics: What You’ll Need
Let’s start with the essentials. You don’t just wake up one day and decide you’re an electrician. It takes time and effort to learn the ropes (or in this case, wires). Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Education: You’ll need at least a basic foundation in maths and physics. I’m not saying you need to be a rocket scientist, but electricians deal with measurements, circuits, and systems that require an understanding of these subjects.
- Physical Fitness: This job can be physically demanding. Crawling through tight spaces, lifting equipment, and working in awkward positions are all part of the gig. If you’re looking for a cushy desk job, this isn’t it.
- Problem-Solving Skills: As an electrician, you’ll constantly be diagnosing issues, troubleshooting systems, and finding the best way to wire up buildings. You’ll need to think on your feet and have a logical mindset.
- Attention to Detail: In this trade, the details matter—big time. One wrong connection, and you could fry a whole system, or worse, create a dangerous situation. Precision is key.
Step 1: Get Qualified
Alright, so you’re ready to take the plunge. The first step to becoming an electrician is getting the proper qualifications. It’s not just about grabbing some wire and hoping for the best. You need formal education, training, and certification.
Apprenticeship
This is the most common way people become electricians. An apprenticeship is essentially a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job training, and it’s the gold standard for this trade. You’ll be working under the supervision of a licensed electrician, learning the practical skills while studying the theory in a vocational school or training centre.
The good news? You get paid while you learn. You won’t be pulling in big bucks as an apprentice, but you’re not paying for school like a university student either. It’s a fair trade-off for the education you’re getting.
An apprenticeship typically lasts between three to four years. Yeah, I know, it sounds like a long time, but the truth is, it goes by faster than you think. By the time you’re finished, you’ll have the experience and knowledge to start working independently.
Vocational School or College Courses
If you want to speed up the process or get a head start, you can enrol in a vocational school or community college that offers electrical training. These programs will teach you the basics, from wiring and circuits to safety protocols and building codes. However, these courses alone won’t make you a licensed electrician—you’ll still need to do hands-on training, typically through an apprenticeship.
Licenses and Certifications
Here’s the deal: you can’t just call yourself an electrician because you completed an apprenticeship or took a few courses. You’ll need to get licensed or certified depending on where you live. Licensing requirements vary by country or state, but they often involve passing an exam that tests your knowledge of electrical theory, building codes, and safety practices.
In the UK, for instance, becoming a fully qualified electrician typically means gaining an NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services, along with additional certificates like the ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) card. In the US, it’ll involve state-specific exams and certifications.
Step 2: Gain Experience
Let’s be real here: nothing beats experience in the field. Once you’re licensed, it’s time to start working. Most electricians begin by working for a company, gaining more hands-on experience and expanding their skillset.
This is the phase where you learn the ins and outs of the job—troubleshooting, customer service, time management, and dealing with unexpected issues that arise in the field. Over time, you’ll become more confident in your abilities and, more importantly, build a solid reputation.
Specialize or Stay General?
At this stage, you have a choice: you can stay a general electrician, or you can choose to specialize in a particular area of electrical work. Some electricians choose to work in residential settings, fixing wiring in homes, while others go into commercial or industrial work, handling much larger systems.
You can also choose to specialize in emerging technologies like renewable energy or electric vehicle charging systems. With the world moving toward greener energy, electricians who know how to install solar panels or set up EV charging points are in hot demand.
The more specialized you become, the more you can charge for your services, but don’t rush it. Make sure you’ve got a solid foundation before you start narrowing your focus.
Step 3: Decide Your Path—Employee or Self-Employed?
Once you’ve gained experience, you’ll need to decide if you want to stay employed with a company or strike out on your own. Let me be clear—starting your own business as an electrician is not for the faint of heart. It requires more than just technical skills; you’ll need to know how to run a business, manage clients, and handle finances.
But the rewards? Well, the sky’s the limit. If you’re someone who craves independence and the ability to control your schedule and income, going self-employed could be a great move. You could even grow your business into a team of electricians, eventually stepping away from the tools and running things from a managerial perspective.
On the flip side, if you prefer stability and don’t want the headaches of running a business, staying employed might be the better choice. Many electricians work comfortably for electrical companies, and they don’t have to worry about the admin side of things—just show up, do the work, and go home.
The Challenges: What No One Tells You
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: this career comes with its challenges. Here are a few things that people might not tell you when you’re starting out:
Physically Demanding
Electrician work is hard on the body. Climbing ladders, crawling into tight spaces, lifting heavy tools, and working in all sorts of weather conditions are part of the deal. Over time, it can take a toll on your joints and muscles. It’s crucial to take care of your body—regular exercise, stretching, and proper posture can save you from a lot of pain down the line.
Safety Risks
Electricians face safety risks every day. You’re working with electricity, and while you’ll be trained on safety protocols, accidents can happen. That’s why attention to detail and following safety procedures is non-negotiable.
Unpredictable Hours
If you’re self-employed or working on large projects, expect irregular hours. Sometimes jobs run late, and you’ll need to work weekends or evenings. Emergencies can happen, and clients might need you to fix things outside of normal business hours.
Is This the Right Career for You?
Not everyone is cut out to be an electrician, and that’s okay. If you love working with your hands, solving problems, and want a stable career that pays well, it’s definitely worth considering. But if the thought of physical labor or long training periods turns you off, you might want to rethink it.
That said, this is a career where hard work pays off—literally and figuratively. Once you’ve put in the time, built your reputation, and gained experience, you’ll have a skill set that’s in demand and the potential to earn a very decent living.
Final Thoughts
Starting a career as an electrician isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most reliable and rewarding paths out there. You’ll need to invest time in learning, train with experienced professionals, and be willing to put in the physical work. But once you’ve paid your dues, you’ll have a career that offers job security, good pay, and the potential to be your own boss.
If you’re serious about becoming an electrician, my advice is to get started today. Don’t wait around thinking about it too much—take action. Reach out to local apprenticeship programs, find vocational courses, and start building the foundation you need. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be on your way to a stable, well-paying career.
Remember, no career path is without its bumps and bruises, but with the right attitude and work ethic, you can make a solid life for yourself as an electrician. Whether you choose to stay with a company or branch out on your own, you’ll have the opportunity to work with your hands, solve complex problems, and build a skill set that will never go out of style.
So, are you ready to flip the switch on your new career? If you’ve got the drive and determination, the electrical field is wide open. Time to get started and light up your future—literally!
