How To Become an Electrician
Training, Apprenticeships and Licenses For Electrical Contractors
There are many options to take when choosing a trade. Becoming an electrician is a popular choice for aspiring tradesman. Electricians work with electrical systems in domestic, commercial, and industrial premises. The potentially hazardous nature of the electrical work requires a high degree of caution and strict compliance with health and safety regulations. Although employer prerequisites may vary, becoming a qualified electrical contractor requires one to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship program. In Australia, electricians must have a license to work unsupervised.
The Skill Set
In addition to safety consciousness, skill requirements involve the following:
- Ability to cope with physically demanding tasks
- A good eyesight/ vision
- Precision and keen attention to detail
- Troubleshooting techniques
- Caution and methodology
Basic tasks
Apart from electrical repairs, electricians might need to carry out various different duties. One of the most important is the installation of new electrical lines in homes, offices or other commercial establishments. If you are building a new home, you’ll need an electrician to do the wiring and install appliances. They also conduct electrical upgrades in existing homes and offices as required. Installation and connections in commercial buildings must follow strict guidelines and regulations. Only fully licensed and accredited tradesman can perform these tasks.
Using a range of diagnostic equipment, hand and power tools, the following tasks are commonly performed.
- Installation of switchboards
- Working from blueprints and electrical diagrams
- Assembling electrical and electronic equipment
- Maintaining and repair of faulty electric and electronic appliances
- Eliminating potential electric hazards
Training and Courses
Electrical courses are available in colleges and training institutions throughout every state in Australia.
Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies
This is a pre-vocational training is ideal as a starting point for anyone seeking an electrician apprenticeship opportunity. The course provides a solid foundation and basic know how to kick start a career as an electrical contractor. The certificate is listed on the National Register for Vocational Education and Training of the Australian government. This course is offered by both private and government institutions in all states. For admission into the course, an applicant needs appropriate language, literacy, numeracy skills and be at least 16 years of age.
Successful completion of the course leads to the award of a nationally recognized Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies.
Core course content;
- Occupation health and safety regulations
- Routine activities in the energy sector
- Assembling and dismantling elect technology equipment
- Basic emergency support
- Basic troubleshooting
- Electrical wiring
- Drawing sketches
- Communication skills
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician UEE30811
This course is ideal for people who are already working as apprentices and seeking to be licensed and fully qualified electrician. The course equips the student with skills to work as a qualified domestic, industrial, or commercial contractor. Focus aims at enhancing the ability to test, set up, install, repair, and maintain electrical equipment within a variety of work environments.
To be eligible for the course, trainees should meet the following basic qualifications:
- Possess the desired level of appropriate language, numeracy, and literacy skills
- Have undergone through apprenticeship and training program and possess skills obtained from experience and relevant study.
The course is also listed on the National Register for Vocational Education and Training of the Australian government. Upon successful completion, learners are awarded a nationally recognized and accredited Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.
Training Providers in Queensland
There are both private and government owned institutions that provide training in electrical systems across different states in Australia. The following is a list of a few institutions available in Queensland.
> Careers Australia Institute of Training Pty Ltd
The institution has been operational since 2007. It offers flexible learning modes including on-campus training, workplace, or mobile training at the learner’s workplace and online training by correspondence.
Visit Careers Australia
> TAFE Queensland Skills Tech
The training organization provides delivery and assessment of electrical training in Queensland. It has been operating since 1998. It also offers financial subsidies for learning programs
Visit TAFE Queensland Skills Tech
> All Trades Queensland Pty Ltd
The All Trades Queensland Pty Ltd is a training organization that offers training and assessment for electrical trainees. The organization has served trainees across Queensland since 2012.
Visit All Trades
> Australian Skills Group
The training organization is a Queensland based Centre for assessment and training of Electrotechnological course. The group has been in operation since 2012.
Visit Australian Skills Group
> Australian Trade Training College Ltd
Since 2006, the college has offered relevant training in Electrical technology in Queensland.
Visit Australian Trade Training College
Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Apprenticeship agreement enables an apprentice to obtain structured training under a paid employment. An electrical apprenticeship at both the workplace and with the training provider takes four years to complete. A traineeship enables the trainee to gain training under a registered training organization. Electrical traineeships can also be obtained under the supervision of an approved college, school, or university. As a requirement, a qualified electrical worker must undergo apprenticeship or traineeship. Assessment of the apprentice or trainee electrician is based on the following;
- The relevant electrical tools and equipment used during the training
- Training packages, endorsed by the electrical industry
To avoid injury and shock from electrocution, an apprentice, or trainee must work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician at all times. During the first six months of the program, the trainee should not work near a live high voltage exposed part.
Licensing
Below are a lit of electrical licenses currently available:
Types of electrical licenses
In the state of Queensland, it is illegal to engage in electrical work without a valid license. Businesses engaging in electrical works should also have an electrical contractor license. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 allows only a number of unlicensed electrical tasks.
Electrical mechanic license
It’s an open work where a license holder can perform all electrical tasks such as;
- Electrical wiring
- Installing or changing overhead cables
- Repair of electric equipment
Electrical fitter license
The tasks involve electrical equipment tasks such as;
- Switchboard is assembling
- Repair of electric motors
- Repair of electrical equipment
Electrical lines person license
The tasks include electric line work such as;
- Overhead electric line work
- Underground lines and building electric works
- Testing overhead electric lines
Electrical jointer license
With this license, you can only perform limited installations, jointing and terminating high voltage electric cables and electrical equipment.
Restricted electrical license
Holders of the restricted license in Queensland are only limited to electrical work associated with tasks from other fields. These include;
- Aircraft maintenance
- Composite equipment service
- Gas fitting
- Earth moving equipment fitting
- Injection molding
- Data communication
- Electronic equipment
- Entertainment and servicing technicians
Electrical specialisation areas
There are varying specialties to pursue depending on the work environment and individual choice. Electrical contractors can work under the following specialties:
Electronics and communication
Technicians in this field assist in identifying and repairing malfunctions in medical, broadcast, telecommunication and audiovisual equipment.
Army Technicians
Army electric technicians in Australia only service and repair military equipment act as military electricians. Military training is, however, a prerequisite to serving in the military.
Electric motor winding
Motor winding specialists only handle installation and repair of machines and appliances in domestic, commercial, and industrial establishments.
Conclusion
In order to become an electrician you need to acquire the adequate training and experience. We hope you found this “How To Become an Electrician” article helpful. If you have questions or comments please contact us.
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