Pathways into the industry

To practice as an independent electrician, you need a Level 3 electrotechnical qualification; the best way to obtain one is through an apprenticeship, which offers a blend of on-the-job training with classroom-based learning.
There are two types of apprenticeships in England and Northern Ireland (similar courses are available in Scotland and Wales but may be known by different names):

1. Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician, which trains apprentices to work in domestic, commercial and industrial settings
2. Level 3 Domestic Electrician, which trains apprentices to work in residential settings only.

To find out more about the qualifications you need to become an electrician, please visit The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership website, where you’ll find all the information you need about the best routes into the industry.

A typical Level 3 apprenticeship usually takes between three and four years to complete. You have to learn all the theoretical and practical skills you need to operate independently, competently and safely as an electrician, and this can’t be done overnight!
This is why you should be particularly wary of training providers offering ‘short courses’ or quick fixes that will get you qualified in a matter of weeks or months. Read more about TESP’s campaign against rogue trainers to learn how to spot the red flags.

The best way is to use an apprenticeship job board such as the government’s ‘find an apprenticeship’ service or NICEIC’s own electrotechnical job board, Connected Futures. Whilst the government’s apprenticeship tool is not limited to the electrotechnical sector, you can search by sector to narrow down the type of opportunities you’d like to browse.
Connected Futures, on the other hand, is an apprenticeship job board solely for the electrotechnical sector, and can only be accessed by NICEIC-certified businesses. Electrical businesses certified by us are held to rigorous standards of competence and safety and must also undertake regular continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure they’re keeping up with the latest technical and regulatory changes. So, you’ll have the peace of mind that all the businesses you’re applying to are in a position to give you the very best training.

An electrician’s salary will vary depending on a large number of factors, from their level of experience and location to the amount of work they take on. According to the government’s National Careers Service, those just starting out as electricians might expect an average salary of £26,000 per year, rising to £45,000 on average for experienced tradespeople.
Of course, these are just average figures and variations should be expected.