What Does an Electrician Do? Skills, Responsibilities and Job Description 

Electricians play a vital role in modern life, keeping homes, workplaces, and public buildings safe, efficient, and connected. Their work is varied — ranging from installing new systems, to d iagnosing faults, to upgrading infrastructure for the future. 

For those thinking about entering the trade, or simply curious about the scope of the job, this article outlines the key duties, skills, and working environments of electricians in the UK. 

What Does an Electrician Do? 

In short, electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, and upgrading electrical systems. These systems might be as simple as residential lighting or as complex as i ndustrial control panels. 

Electrical Installations 

One of the most important duties is setting up new electrical systems. This includes wiring, circuit breakers, lighting, sockets, and distribution boards. Installations must comply with the current edition of BS 7671 (Wiring Regulations), ensuring that safety is never compromised. 

Electrical Maintenance 

Electricians don’t just build new systems; they also keep existing ones working. Regular maintenance checks identify wear and tear, replace outdated parts, and confirm compliance with modern safety standards. 

Electrical Repairs 

When things go wrong, electricians diagnose and fix faults. This can involve replacing switches, repairing circuits, or rewiring larger sections of a building. Strong troubleshooting skills and a solid technical base are essential here. 

Electrical Upgrades 

Technology doesn’t stand still, and neither does electrical work. Electricians are often called upon to upgrade panels, fit energy-efficient lighting, or prepare systems for higher energy demands. Increasingly, upgrades also include renewable systems and smart technology. 

For those considering a career change into this sector, Start your career as an electrician – a complete guide to apprenticeships is a helpful overview of training routes. 

Where Do Electricians Work? 

The environments electricians work in are diverse, which is part of the appeal of the job. 

• Residential homes – Installing and maintaining wiring, lighting, sockets, and smart home systems. 

• Commercial premises – Offices, shops, and warehouses often require electrical panels, lighting, and ventilation systems. 

• Industrial units – Factories and manufacturing sites rely on electricians to maintain machinery, motors, and control systems. 

• Construction sites – Sparks are crucial in setting up wiring, power supplies, and temporary lighting during new builds. 

• Specialist sites – Hospitals, military bases, and transport networks need electricians with additional training for unique safety challenges. 

The variety means no two days are alike. 

What Skills Do Electricians Need? 

Electricians need both technical expertise and soft skills. Some of the most important include: 

• Technical electrical knowledge. 

• Safety awareness at all times. 

• Mathematical ability for calculations. 

• Computer and software literacy for modern testing tools. 

• Attention to detail. 

• Problem-solving and logical thinking. 

• Time management. 

• Customer service and communication skills. 

• Integrity and honesty. 

For further insight, see How to choose the right electrician course, which explains how training pathways help develop these skills. 

Responsibilities of Electricians 

The exact responsibilities vary by role, but common duties include: 

• Testing systems to ensure they are safe and compliant. 

• Building and maintaining control panels. 

• Repairing components in machinery or property installations. 

• Installing fibre optic and electrical cabling. 

• Fitting smart systems for heating, lighting, and security. 

• Responding to emergency callouts. 

• Ensuring compliance with BS 7671 and other standards. 

• Collaborating with builders, engineers, and project managers. 

As the trade evolves, new responsibilities are also emerging. Renewable energy and EV charging are expanding fields, making upskilling increasingly important. For sparks looking ahead, Plug into the future – renewable energy training explains how to prepare for this demand. 

Why Electricians Are in Demand 

The UK faces a consistent shortage of qualified electricians. Demand continues to rise due to: 

• Increased construction activity. 

• The shift towards renewable energy and electric vehicles. 

• Ongoing need for housing upgrades. 

This is reflected in strong earnings across the trade. According to industry surveys, sparks remain among the highest-paid tradespeople. You can read more in our Electrician salary snapshot. 

Considering a Career as an Electrician? 

If you’re thinking of retraining, progressing, or simply starting out, there are structured routes for every stage. Whether through apprenticeships, diplomas, or the experienced worker route, becoming an electrician is achievable with the right training. 

At Elec Training, we specialise in helping learners map their career path, gain recognised qualifications, and build the skills needed to succeed in this demanding but rewarding p rofession. 

What qualifications do you need to become an electrician in the UK? 

To become a fully qualified electrician in the UK through Elec Training, you’ll need a combination of technical diplomas, practical experience, and assessments that align with industry standards like BS 7671 Wiring Regulations. The foundational qualifications include the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations, which covers basics such as electrical science, wiring systems, and health and safety, typically requiring GCSEs or equivalents in maths, English, and science for entry. This is followed by the City & Guilds 2365 Level 3 Diploma, which advances to inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, and design principles. Elec Training delivers these through flexible full-time or part-time programs, often blending online theory with hands-on workshops. Next, the City & Guilds 2357 NVQ Level 3 Diploma requires building a portfolio of on-site work evidence, demonstrating competence in real-world installations and maintenance. The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (City & Guilds 2382) is essential for compliance with current standards, and for domestic work, the Level 3 Award in Inspection and Testing (City & Guilds 2391-52) enables Part P certification for self-certifying jobs. The final step is the AM2 assessment, a practical exam testing skills over 2.5 days, leading to an ECS/JIB Gold Card for unsupervised work. Elec Training also offers endorsements for specialisms like EV charging or solar PV, ensuring you’re prepared for 2025’s green energy demands. No university degree is needed; Elec Training’s vocational routes focus on practical competency, with options like the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) for those with prior skills to fast-track. 

How long does it take to train as a fully qualified electrician? 

Through Elec Training, the time to become fully qualified varies by pathway but typically ranges from 12-24 months for adult learners to 3-4 years for apprenticeships, ensuring thorough skill development without compromising safety. For beginners via the non-apprenticeship route, you’ll complete the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 Diploma in 3-6 months part-time (or 8-12 weeks full-time), followed by the Level 3 Diploma in another 6-12 months. The NVQ Level 3 then takes 6-18 months, depending on securing on-site experience as a mate or improver to build your portfolio. Elec Training supports this with employer connections and assessor guidance, culminating in the AM2 assessment (1-2 weeks prep). Apprenticeships, ideal for younger starters, span 3-4 years with paid work (80% on-site, 20% training), earning while qualifying. Experienced workers can use Elec Training’s EWA to shorten to 6-12 months by crediting prior experience. Factors like part-time study or site access can extend timelines, but Elec Training’s flexible blended learning minimizes delays, with most achieving Gold Card status in 2-3 years. 

Do electricians specialise in domestic, commercial, or industrial work? 

Yes, electricians often specialize in domestic, commercial, or industrial sectors through Elec Training’s tailored programs, each with distinct scopes, challenges, and qualifications to match varying environments and regulations. Domestic electricians focus on residential homes, handling single-phase systems for lighting, sockets, and appliances, requiring Part P certification for notifiable work like rewires or extensions. Elec Training’s domestic pathway emphasizes consumer units and testing, with shorter training (e.g., Level 3 Diploma plus 2391-52). Commercial electricians work in offices, shops, and public buildings, managing three-phase power, data cabling, and fire alarms on larger scales with more complex regulations. Industrial specialists operate in factories and plants, dealing with high-voltage machinery, automation, and heavy-duty systems like motors and controls, often needing additional safety training for hazardous areas. Elec Training allows progression from general qualifications to specialisms like maintenance or instrumentation, with commercial/industrial routes involving more extensive NVQ evidence and potentially higher earnings due to complexity. 

What is the difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer? 

Through Elec Training, aspiring tradespeople can distinguish between electricians, who focus on practical hands-on work, and electrical engineers, who emphasize design and theory—Elec Training prepares you for the former with vocational routes, while the latter typically requires a university degree. Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in buildings, using tools for wiring, testing, and fault-finding, often completing apprenticeships or Level 3 qualifications without higher education. They work on-site, ensuring compliance with regulations like BS 7671, with Elec Training’s programs building skills for immediate application. Electrical engineers, however, design systems, analyze circuits, and innovate technologies (e.g., power grids or renewables), holding degrees like BEng in Electrical Engineering and often chartered status via IET. Engineers focus on planning and oversight, earning higher salaries (£40k+ starting vs. £25k for electricians), but electricians via Elec Training can transition with further study, leveraging practical experience for engineering roles. 

Can you become an electrician later in life, such as at 30 or 40? 

Absolutely, Elec Training supports retraining at 30, 40, or older with no age barriers, offering flexible programs that leverage life experience for a successful career shift in a high-demand trade. Many in their 30s or 40s switch from corporate or unrelated fields, completing Elec Training’s part-time diplomas (evenings/weekends) over 1-2 years while working, then building NVQ portfolios as mates. Funding like Advanced Learner Loans covers costs, and Elec Training’s blended model suits family commitments, with assessors recognizing transferable skills from prior careers. Success rates are high; a 40-year-old can qualify in 12-18 months via accelerated routes, often finding employers value maturity for reliability and problem-solving. 

What are the average working hours for electricians in the UK? 

Elec Training graduates typically enjoy a standard 40-hour workweek as qualified electricians, providing work-life balance while allowing overtime for extra earnings in a flexible trade. Most work 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday (e.g., 8am-4pm or 7:30am-3:30pm), with breaks, though schedules vary by sector—domestic might involve evenings for homeowner convenience, while commercial/industrial could include shifts or weekends for minimal disruption. Overtime is common, pushing hours to 45-50 weekly during busy periods like construction deadlines, with self-employed electricians setting their own timetables but often working longer to build business. Elec Training emphasizes time management in courses, preparing you for on-call emergencies (e.g., 24/7 for maintenance roles), but regulations like the Working Time Directive cap averages at 48 hours, ensuring rest. 

How much can electricians earn once qualified? 

Once qualified through Elec Training, electricians can expect competitive earnings in 2025, with averages reflecting high demand and regional variations for a rewarding career. Newly qualified sparkies start at £22,000-£25,000 annually, rising to £32,000-£38,000 median with 1-2 years’ experience, or £19-£22 hourly. Experienced professionals earn £40,000-£45,000+, with self-employed day rates at £320-£350 (£50,000+ potential pre-tax). London/South East tops at £35,000-£40,000 starting due to urban projects, while North/Midlands average £28,000-£33,000. Specialisms in EV/solar via Elec Training boost pay by 20-30%, with overtime and bonuses adding £5,000-£10,000 yearly. 

Do electricians need to keep updating their skills with new regulations? 

Yes, electricians must continually update skills through Elec Training’s CPD courses to comply with evolving regulations, ensuring safety and relevance in a dynamic industry like 2025’s green transition. Key updates include the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (mandatory for new work), with revisions every few years requiring requalification. The Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme (EAS) now mandates competencies in low-carbon tech like EV charging, solar PV, and energy storage by October 2026, with Elec Training offering endorsements. Government reforms provide £275M for training, including 120,000 spots and new Level 2 diplomas, while bodies like NICEIC require annual assessments. Elec Training’s short courses (e.g., 1-2 days) cover net-zero skills, helping maintain Gold Card status and access grants. 

What are the biggest risks electricians face on the job? 

Elec Training prioritizes safety training to mitigate the biggest risks electricians face, such as electrocution, falls, and burns, through rigorous HSE-aligned modules and practical simulations. Electrocution from live wires or faulty equipment is the primary hazard, causing shocks, arcs, or fatalities (around 25 yearly in UK construction). Falls from ladders or heights during installations, musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive tasks or heavy lifting, and burns/explosions from arcs or fires follow. Other risks include eye injuries from debris, respiratory issues from dust/asbestos, and lone working incidents. Management involves risk assessments, PPE (insulated gloves, helmets), lockout/tagout procedures, test-before-touch, and training under Electricity at Work Regulations—Elec Training embeds these, reducing incidents by 70-80% with proper protocols. 

Are electricians in demand across the UK in 2025 and beyond? 

Yes, electricians are in high demand across the UK in 2025 and beyond, with Elec Training positioning graduates to fill a growing skills gap driven by net-zero goals and infrastructure needs. Projections show a shortage of 15,000-217,000 workers by 2030, with apprenticeship starts down 10% and numbers potentially dropping a third by 2038 without action. Demand surges from 1.5M new homes, EV/solar expansions, and renewables, creating 100,000+ roles by 2032. Urban areas like London/South East face acute needs, but rural regions also require maintenance and green upgrades; industry growth at 5.3% CAGR to 2030 supports steady jobs nationwide. Elec Training’s connections ensure quick employment, with trends favoring specialisms in low-carbon tech.