It’s no secret that a career as an electrician can be highly lucrative – with many going into business for themselves or pursuing steady jobs working for contractors.
Perhaps the best thing about a career as an electrician is that it doesn’t require a degree, and it’s perfect for people that prefer a more hands-on learning experience.
But when you qualify as an electrician, what options are available? Do you get a job, or are there other avenues to explore? Keep on reading if you want to find out!
What Are The Benefits Of Being An Electrician?
There are many benefits of being an electrician. One of the main ones is that it offers an excellent salary.
The median wage for electricians in the United Kingdom is £37,269 per year, but it’s not just the salary that’s good – as an electrician, you can also expect long-term job security.
The demand for electricians will only grow in the coming years as our world becomes increasingly reliant on sustainable technology. In fact, an article published by Utilities ADR shows that the UK could need up to 15,000 electricians in five years.
This means that now is a great time to enter the field and start your career as an electrician.
What Are The Different Career Paths Available?
So, you’ve decided that being an electrician is the right career for you. But what does that mean in terms of your actual career path? Here are a few options to consider:
Working for a Contractor
Perhaps the most common path for electricians is working for contractors, including small businesses and large corporations. As an employee of a contractor, you would be responsible for completing electrical work that has been assigned to you.
Working For Yourself
Another popular option among electricians is going into business for themselves. However, this means that you would be your own boss and responsible for finding your work. It’s a great option for those that are self-motivated and enjoy working independently.
Joining the Military
Another career path available to electricians is joining the military, which is ideal if you want to serve your country and complete electrical work in various settings.
You can travel the world and work with a group of people who are all committed to protecting their country.
Starting Your Own Business
Self-employed people are responsible for themselves – but some want to make more money by employing other electricians. Setting up a business is a big step up from working for yourself, but it can be very rewarding.
Not only will you make more money, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping to provide employment for others.
Become A Master Electrician
A master electrician is the highest level you can reach as an electrician. To become a master electrician, you will need years of experience and complete a rigorous exam.
Career progression to the level of a master electrician is mainly for those that want to be at the top of their field and work on the most challenging projects.
Once you become a master electrician, you will be able to work on any type of electrical project – no matter how complex it may be.
Renewable Energy Specialist
As the world becomes more focused on sustainable energy, there will be an increasing demand for electricians that specialise in renewable energy.
If you want to help make a difference globally and work with cutting-edge technology, renewable energy could offer financial rewards and give you a sense of purpose.
Specialist electricians will also have the opportunity to work with vehicles more in the future, as many countries are planning to go fully electric.
In fact, according to The Guardian, there will be 18 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 – so lots of work for electricians!
Emigrate To & Work In Another Country
If you’re looking for an adventure, working as an electrician in another country could be the perfect option.
You could emigrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA – just to name a few countries. As electrician regularly appear on many ‘most wanted’ skill lists, electricians often have more emigration options if they’re going to leave the UK.
This is a great way to see the world and experience different cultures while still doing the job you love.
How To Train As An Electrician In The UK
Now that you know your options, it’s time to start training as an electrician.
In the UK, there are a few different ways to do this. The most common way is to complete an apprenticeship.’
Apprenticeships last for four years and allow you to earn money while you learn. You’ll also have the chance to work with experienced electricians and gain on-the-job experience.
Another option is to attend a college or university and study electrical engineering to get a more in-depth understanding of the theory behind electricity.
If you’re slightly older, you can take technical electrician training courses, which are popular for people who are past apprenticeship age and don’t want to attend college full time.
It’s also highly beneficial to regularly update your skills by taking refresher courses to enhance your career options.
For example, if you’d like to specialise in electric vehicles, a dedicated course can help you move into other areas and make more money.
The Bottom Line
There are many different career paths available to electricians – it all depends on what you’re interested in and what you want to achieve.
No matter which path you choose, you can be sure that you’ll be doing exciting and challenging work that offers great rewards. Electricians can look forward to a bright future – which is never a guarantee when you think about how the world is changing.
If you’d like to discuss your future career options or would like some more information about our electrician courses, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team. We’d love to help you progress your career.
