Becoming a qualified electrician is an exciting and rewarding career choice. However, as the field of electrotechnical engineering is changing rapidly in response to market demands and emerging renewable technologies, it is essential for electricians to keep their skills and knowledge up to date to stay competitive and relevant in the industry.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or have been working as an electrician for many years, there are a variety of accredited training courses that can help you sharpen and refresh your skills and learn new techniques.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the top courses and training routes for electricians at different stages of their careers.
1. Foundation
The most important place to start at the base level is a foundation course. This can be achieved by completing an electrician’s apprenticeship programme, usually taking 2 to 4 years, and combining on-the-job training with classroom and workshop learning. Apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for young and aspiring electricians to gain hands-on experience, learn from experienced mentors, and earn money at the same time.
Alternatively, people entering the electrical industry with no prior experience can start with the City & Guilds Level II Certificate in Electrical Installations. This course covers all the basic electrics and skills required to install electrical systems in a domestic setting, teaching you (among other things) how to wire a plug, replace a socket, and install lighting circuits safely.
2. Intermediate
Electricians who have achieved their foundational qualifications will want to progress to an intermediate qualification, such as the City & Guilds Level III Certificate in Electrical Installations, which includes the latest version of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). We recommend this qualification for electricians who have completed their level II course and are looking to broaden their skills and knowledge to comply with current industry standards. The training will cover topics as wide as electrical safety, circuit design, troubleshooting, and inspection and testing.
New electricians wanting to progress their skills may also wish to take the Level III NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment. This course incorporates the installation of complex commercial electrical systems, including security systems, fire alarms, and building management systems, as well as commercial lighting infrastructure and air conditioning. It will also equip you with the skills you need to work alongside or manage a team of electricians on commercial projects, and how to ensure that the work is completed to a high standard in accordance with industry guidelines and customer expectations.
3. Advanced And Specialist Courses
Once you’ve worked in the industry for a few years and established a solid foundation of skills and experience, you may want to progress your career through training courses in specialist or advanced areas. One avenue to consider is advanced inspection and testing, which will cover testing and troubleshooting techniques, including live testing, dead testing, and fault finding, as well as the use of specialist equipment, earth loop testers, and insulation testers.
Other specialist areas include renewable energy installations and EV vehicle charging, which are rapidly growing fields in the UK. Electricians qualified in these areas will be able to work on renewable energy arrays from solar panels to wind turbines and commercial and domestic battery storage systems.
Next Steps
At PTT, we offer a wide range of electrical training courses for electricians of all levels of experience. To find out more about our electrician classes, please contact us today.
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