How Long Does It Take to Become an Electrician?

What does it take to become an electrician?

To become an electrician, you will need to complete an electrician training program. There are many different types of programs available, so it’s important to do your research to find the right one for you.

Most NVQ apprenticeship programs take about three years to complete, which typically involves working four days a week in a job-related role and attending college one day a week. Many colleges also offer a fast-track option for more experienced students, taking about two years to complete.

Having completed a training program, you will need to obtain a license. Afterwards, you can begin working as a fully qualified electrician!

You can also become a domestic installer. There are no qualifications required, but it is highly recommended that you achieve the following qualifications:

• Part P 2393-10.
• Wiring Regulations 18th Edition, 2382-18.

Depending on the course, it’s usually 18 days in total. 10 days practical in a centre, 3 days e-learning, and 5 days in a virtual classroom.

The benefits of becoming an electrician

There are many benefits to becoming an electrician. Electricians are in high demand, so you will have plenty of job opportunities available to you.

They also earn a good salary (£32,540), with the average electrician making £18.95 per hour. In addition, electricians typically have great job security and can find work in a variety of industries.

How to get started in the industry

Most sparkies start by going to college right out of school to start the NVQ qualifications mentioned above. But you can train to become an electrician at any age, in fact, you’ll find plenty of people training at 30 and 40 for a career change. 

One of the best ways to get started in the electrical industry as well as completing the courses is to get practical experience. Luckily many companies offer electrical apprenticeships.  

Electrician career paths and options

Being a spark gives you a lot of options, below are a few.

Most sparkies work in the domestic setting. 

• Improving the existing wiring in a home-like adding sockets and lights, etc.
• Working on new builds, wiring everything from scratch. 

You have also got commercial electricians.

• Which could be wiring offices or/and shops.

Industrial electricians.

• Working in factories and generally on higher voltage systems. There tends to be more metalwork involved.

And there are plenty more specialist roles like working with solar panels and auto electricians that tend to be classed differently. 

Top tips for succeeding as an electrician

The best way to succeed as an electrician is to learn how to do the job. Practice makes perfect. The more competent you are at a job, the quicker and to a higher standard, it’s completed, leading to more money for you. 

Have the tools

Being a top spark means you have the tools for the job. Not having to borrow drills and screwdrivers. If you don’t have the tools, you have to stop working and ask to borrow them, meaning you are losing time and the time of the person you’re asking. 

You also need a tool pouch or belt to carry what you need on you. Rather than having to search and go back and forth for anything you left behind. 

Learn the circuits

If you know off the top of your head how to wire two-way switches and any other common but sometimes challenging circuits, it will help youtube become a successful electrician.

Practice

Practice makes perfect; there’s no easy way around it. You need to spend time on the job to become a better electrician. 

Wrapping it up

We hope this article helped cover some of the questions you might have. The time it takes to become an electrician varies, but generally, it’s 3 years. 

It may seem like a long time, but choosing this path means you won’t go into college debt and actually get paid while you’re an apprentice. We highly recommend it!