Industrial electricians play a key role in the construction, engineering and manufacturing industries. They install, inspect and test wiring systems and components in all types of buildings and machinery.

Industrial electricians usually work in one of five areas:

Panel building
Electricians in this field of work put together the control panels that operate and maintain a building's infrastructure. For example, in a typical office block, panels control the heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems.

Repair and rewind 
Repair and rewind electricians diagnose and fix faults in machinery components, for example they may replace the burnt out motors in a lift mechanism. Electricians dismantle the broken unit, replace or repair the damaged part, rewind the coils, clean it up and test it before putting it back into service.

Instrumentation
Electricians in this area of work install, calibrate and maintain the tracking systems found in manufacturing and building services. These control and measure how efficiently a process is running, for instance on a production line. Instrumentation electricians also carry out regular tests on equipment, as part of preventative maintenance.

Maintenance
Maintenance electricians test and service electromechanical equipment found in manufacturing and construction, for example, heavy plant machinery on a building site. Their work normally falls into preventative or emergency work. See the profiles for Engineering Maintenance Fitter and Technician for more details about this role.

Highway systems
Highways electricians test circuits, and diagnose and repair faults on street lighting and traffic management equipment, such as traffic lights and motorway variable message signs. They often work from mobile high access platforms.

Hours and Environment

Industrial electricians will normally work between 37 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with overtime often available. Maintenance electricians in a factory may do shift work, which can include nights and weekends.

With the exception of highways jobs, you will normally spend most of your time working in factories, offices or workshops.

Skills and Interests

As an industrial electrician, you need:

• good practical skills and competence with a range of hand and power tools
• the ability to follow technical drawings and instructions
• a methodical approach to work and an ability to make accurate measurements
• a commitment to keep up to date with industry developments
• the ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team 
• good communications skills
• normal colour vision
• a thorough understanding of electrical safety rules and regulations.

Entry

To qualify as an industrial electrician, you must hold an Electrotechnical Services NVQ/SVQ at Level 3. Entry routes differ, depending on where you train in the UK. You can see the structure of the NVQ/SVQ in the Training section below.

If you are already working in the industry but do not have the NVQ/SVQ, please refer straight to the Training section.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland
You may be able to start as an apprentice with an electrical contractor, manufacturing company or engineering firm. Most apprentices start at 16 to 19, although entry may be possible over 19 in Wales. For more details, visit the apprenticeship contacts for your country in Further Information.

If you are not eligible for an apprenticeship scheme and not employed in the industry, you can work towards the City & Guilds (2330) Technical Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology at levels 2 and 3. Further education colleges offer these and you can take them at any age, although competition for places is strong.

The technical certificates do not prove occupational competence as an electrician, only the full NVQ qualification can do this; but they do cover the theory and some practical skills needed to move on to the NVQ qualification.

Industry bodies strongly recommend that you gain a placement or employment with an electrical contractor as soon as possible after starting the technical certificates. This will enable you to complete the NVQ. Your training provider may help with placements but you can also contact companies directly.

Scotland
Modern apprenticeships are available if you are aged between 16 and 19 and lead to an Electrotechnical Services SVQ Level 3. If you are 22 or over, you may be eligible for the Adult Training Scheme, but you must be working in the electrotechnical sector and have a minimum of one year's relevant experience. For example, you may have experience from the armed forces or engineering. Technical certificates are not available in Scotland.

For more details about your options, contact the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (see Further Information below).

Overseas qualified electricians
If you are a qualified electrician from outside the UK, you need to register with on the  Electrotechnical Card Scheme (ECS). You will need to do three things to register:

• contact UK NARIC to find what your qualifications are equivalent to in the UK
• complete the City & Guilds 16th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (2381)
• complete the ECS Health and Safety Assessment.

You will also need a driving licence and your own tools for most jobs.

For more details about a career as an electrician, see the SummitSkills website in Further Information.

Training

England, Wales and Northern Ireland
If you are employed in the industry, you can work towards one of three options for the Electrotechnical Services NVQ at Level 3, depending on your role. These are:

1) Electrotechnical Services, which has four pathways:

• Electrical Installation (Building & Structures)
• Electrical Maintenance
• Installing Instrumentation & Associated Equipment
• Installing Highway Electrical Systems.

2) Electrical Panel Building
3) Electrical Machine Rewind and Repair.

These NVQs incorporate the C&G (2330) technical certificates at levels 2 and 3.

Employers may ask you to train for two additional awards if you do not already hold them:

• City & Guilds 2391 Inspection, Testing and Certification of Installations
• City & Guilds 16th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (2381).

Other courses you can take for professional development include the City & Guilds In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (2377), often known as portable appliance testing (PAT). These courses are available at local colleges and the Part P training providers in Further Information. The Electrical Contractors' Association also has details about training provision within the electrical industry, including contract management, contract law and estimating.

Scotland
You can choose the same pathway as above to achieve the Electrotechnical Services SVQ at Level 3. For details of training provision and qualifications, see the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust in Further Information.

Part P of the Building Regulations - Electrical Safety
Part P relates to installation work on buildings and households but your employer may still want you to take training to become Part P certified. You can do this by completing a short Part P training course. See the Part P contacts in Further Information for details about certification training schemes, entry requirements and information about the electrical work that requires approval.

There may be some entry requirements for the scheme, depending on your qualifications and experience. Some providers offer additional training if you need it, for instance, 16th Edition Wiring Regulations; some do not. Please check with the providers.

You should consider these short courses, relating to Building Regulations, as professional development. They do not in themselves lead to qualification as an electrician.

Opportunities

Opportunities for industrial electricians are very good across the UK. It is estimated that in construction alone, there is a need for an extra 14,000 qualified electricians over the next two years.

A wide range of organisations employ electricians, including:

• electrical contractors
• building and engineering firms
• manufacturing and retailing companies
• kitchen, bathroom and shopfitting companies. 

Local authorities and public institutions like hospitals also employ electricians.

Electricians can move into domestic installation work. For more details about this, see the separate job profile for Installation Electrician.

Promotion may be possible to supervisory and management positions in all areas of electrical work. With further training, you may find openings in electrical estimating and contract management. If you are an experienced electrician, you can become self-employed.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries for newly qualified electricians start at between £16,500 and £19,000.
With experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £25,000.
Experienced electricians with specialist grading can earn up to £28,000.

Further information

Tel: 08000 688336 Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships: England
Tel: 08000 150600
www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Education and Learning Wales
Tel: 08456 088066
www.elwa.org.uk

Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust
Tel: 0131 445 5659
www.sectt.org.uk

Electrical Training Trust - Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 2565 0750
www.ett-ni.org

Part P Self-Certification Schemes
NICEIC Domestic Installer Scheme
Tel: 0870 013 0382
www.niceic.org.uk

BRE Certification
Tel: 0870 609 6093
www.partp.co.uk

ELECSA
Tel: 0870 749 0080
www.elecsa.org.uk

British Standards Institution(BSI)
Tel: 01442 278607
www.bsi-global.com

National Association of Inspectors & Testers
Tel: 0870 444 1392
www.napit.org.uk

Electrical Contractors' Association
www.eca.co.uk