How can I become an electrician? In 2023...

1) Are you thinking about future career prospects? Wondering how you can become an electrician in 2023? Keep reading!

2) What courses are necessary?

This greatly depends on what you want to achieve and whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. Let’s say for instance that you are planning on working for yourself and only wish to carry out minor jobs that don’t extend to works such as a rewire, new circuit, bathroom alterations or rewiring homes (not an extensive list by the way). Then you could potentially carry out a ‘short course’ route into the industry and get yourself started. There is a training company that offers short courses that might be worth looking at. Always check with the training company that the course will qualify you to carry out the work you are wanting to undertake. 

If you are planning on finding work with someone else or are planning to carry out larger electrical works then the only route that is realistic is the route to Approved Electrician and ‘THE GOLD CARD’. For the sake of argument let’s say you are going to be working for a company or someone else then you will need to undertake a course such as the City and Guilds 2365 Level 2 and 2365 Level 3 before going on to complete the BS7671 Wiring regulations course, the NVQ portfolio and the 3-day full-on AM2 assessment. After this you can apply for your Gold Card.

3) Are there any quick routes to get started?⚡

There are many training centres across the UK offering ‘short courses’ that get you started but generally speaking, you will not learn a great deal to help you with fault finding, larger jobs or testing and inspection. These short courses do cram a lot of information in and are a great way to get a taster without fully committing to the expense of the ‘Fully qualified’ route but there is an awful lot you will be missing from your knowledge bank. On the job experience is the biggest stumbling block for many people as well and after completing short courses there is the risk that there will be too many gaps in your knowledge to be safe or even to have the confidence to start up a business. 

4) How many exams are there?

If undertaking the full route into the industry then there are absolutely loads of exams, assessments and practical activities that need to be completed before you get there. Typically, this takes around 3 to 4 years and will mean a huge financial and time commitment on your behalf. During the Level 2 and 3 courses you will learn and be assessed on things such as Health and Safety, Electrical Science, Electrical Principles, 3 Phase and Single-Phase systems, Renewable energy systems, Electrical Design including a design project, testing and inspection, initial verification, fault finding, building regulations and wiring regulations. There are more topics that you will cover but too many to list. 

5) What is the cost of training?💷

Currently the full route in costs around £10-£12k over the space of time needed to complete the training. That is excluding workwear, tools, and equipment of course. 

6) What tools will I need?

You will need a full set of electrical screwdrivers, pliers, side cutters, strippers, and other hand tools. Several power tools are also a must depending upon the type of work that you intend to do. I could not manage without an impact driver, cordless multi-tool and hammer drill. Not to forget the test equipment. Becoming familiar with electrical test equipment is a key part of passing the courses. Unfortunately, this is not cheap, a basic multifunction tester costs from around £600 upwards reaching towards £1600 for the better testers on the market capable of multiple functions and tasks. 

7) What is the cost of starting an electrician business?💰

Training, Tools, equipment, second hand vehicle, insurance, competent persons scheme assessments and memberships, books, disposable items, and everyday van stock needed…. I would estimate at somewhere in the region of £25-£35k. Not cheap but possibly worth it. Don’t forget, once you have spent all this money then you need to get customers to use your business and that in itself takes time to build a reputation, website, and network. A lot of people complete their training then go to work for a company whilst they learn, get some experience, and eventually will begin to do weekend jobs until they build a client base and then jump ship to go it on their own. It’s not easy but if you are not work shy and multi skilled at marketing, business admin and electrical stuff then you may just make it! 😊

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