TRAINING
ELECTRICIANS —DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER POTENTIAL As an electrician, you are able to determine your own earning potential. There are so many options for developing your skillset and building experience – the possibilities are endless. Mick Fitzgerald, Director, Options Skills, shares his tips for advancing your electrical career.
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here’s no time limit. No matter your age, skillset or current position, developing your career is about commitment and determination. The best part? You can continue to earn as you learn.
Why develop your skillset? Change your career path Advancing your skillset and experience can allow you to discover new career possibilities that you may not have thought about before. This could be embarking on a new challenge in a different electrical role or moving to self-employment, for example. Take control of your own earnings If you progress to self-employment, you will be able to set your own working hours and rates, giving you greater financial flexibility. Or, if you’re already self-employed, increasing your skillset and gaining new qualifications can allow you to charge more for your services or offer more advanced services, which you may not have been capable of before.
The greater your skillset and capabilities, the more demand there will be for you and your services
Increased job stability The greater your skillset and capabilities, the more demand there will be for you and your services. This can provide greater job stability and security. Additionally, if you’re looking to build employer connections, investing in yourself can show your commitment to your career, making you a more favourable candidate or team member.
Earn as you learn Lots of electrical qualifications have options to suit everyone, including the ability to continue to bring in a wage while you learn. For example, a traineeship allows you to complete qualifications whilst gaining valuable work experience.
What different electrical career paths are available? Domestic Electrical Installer (DEI) DEIs – one of the most common types of electrician – work on domestic properties. Their work includes single phase domestic installations and repairs. For a DEI, the earning potential is up to £40k per annum. Installation Electrician Installation Electricians install various electrical systems, such as power or security systems. Their work is on a wide range of sites, including construction and commercial environments. As an Installation Electrician, you may be able to earn between £35-£50k per annum. Renewable Energy Technician Renewable Energy Technicians are required to install and maintain sustainable and green energy systems. Their salary can be up to £52.5k per annum. Electrical Supervisor In addition to carrying out electrical work, Electrical Supervisors are responsible for managing teams, training employees, assigning roles and ensuring projects are completed in line with customer expectations. Electrical Supervisors can earn up to £60k per annum. Electrical Drafter Electrical Drafters create technical drawings (blueprints) of electrical systems to govern electrical work, including dimensions, arrangements and procedures for installation. As an Electrical Drafter, you can earn up to £45k per annum. The above career paths each require different qualifications, such as the Domestic Electrical Installer Award (limited to domestic, single phase installations and repairs) or an Electrotechnical NVQ Level 3 Qualification, which incorporates single phase and three-phase commercial installation.
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I’m ready to upskill – what are the steps?
Lots of electrical qualifications have options to suit everyone
• Research – take some time to research and understand the career path you want to pursue. You’ll need to know the requirements for getting there, including the qualifications you need, the courses you’ll need to attend, the time span and the associated costs. • Set yourself goals – think about where you want to be, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Set yourself short, medium and long-term goals, and use these goals as benchmarks to keep you on track to reaching your dream career. • Connect with training providers – training providers can allow you to see things clearly and potentially even open up possibilities you may not have thought about before. There’s no onward commitment from a conversation. • Choose the right training provider – it’s important to choose the right training provider. Be sure to choose one that will guide you towards your career goals and support you as you work towards achieving them. • Take the plunge – when you know your career goals and the steps to take to achieve those goals, you’re ready to take the plunge and put the spark back into your electrical career. Options Skills, options-skills.co.uk
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23/02/2021 13:21
