There are several routes to becoming an electrician, whether you are a school leaver, an A-LEVEL student, or someone considering a change of career. You can gain the qualifications you need by completing a college course or an apprenticeship. If you already have relevant experience, you could apply directly to an employer for a job.
Importantly, those who qualify for their career as an electrician through industry-recognised training routes, such as courses from City & Guilds or EAL and apprenticeships, tend to have better job and earnings prospects.
Here we will explore how to become a qualified electrician and the options available to you in England and Wales. Some variations apply in Scotland and these will be highlighted.
Why choose to become an electrician?
If you like fixing practical things and have a methodical, analytical approach to solving problems, becoming an electrician could be the career for you.
Qualified electricians have good earning potential, enjoy a varied working environment and are rarely short of work. There are great opportunities within the electrical industry, from moving into specialised areas of the trade or starting your own business. Skilled electricians will always be in high demand.
The different types of electrician
Domestic or residential electrician
Most electricians handle domestic electrical work – fixing electrical faults in private housing, installing or replacing wiring and electrical systems. Domestic electricians will often work alongside other tradespeople, especially on construction sites. You are fully qualified to perform this kind of work after completing the Level 3 City and Guilds domestic electrician apprenticeship and passing the AM2 assessment, which tests your ability to install, commission and test electrical systems.
Electrical tester
Electrical testers survey, test and inspect electrical installations in homes and businesses. They identify faults and complete test reports to confirm which equipment is working safely and efficiently, and which are unsafe to use.
Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical systems for buildings, transport systems and power distribution networks. Electrical engineers work in and across many industries. They need a good understanding of engineering science, and strong maths and computer skills.
How to become an electrician: A step-by-step guide
Complete your GCSEs and/or A-Levels
If you are still at school and want to train to become an electrician, you will need to complete your GCSEs. The City & Guilds domestic electrical course – the first step to becoming an electrician – has minimum requirements for school leavers. You will need the following:
- At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) (level 2 course)
- 4 - 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) (level 3 course and T Levels)
Choose your training path
Complete the domestic electrical installer course
Once you have left school, your first step is to take the City & Guilds domestic electrical installation course. This will help you to find a trainee apprentice position with a company.
This course provides the basics for conducting domestic electrical work and takes 18 days to complete. It includes modules on inspection and testing, wiring regulations and building regulations for domestic installations.
You can choose to take the course in one go or spread it out. 10 days will be spent in a training centre workshop.
Find a college near you that runs this course.
Undertake an apprenticeship or internship
An apprenticeship with an electrical installation company is a good way into the industry.
There are three levels to the electrician apprentice pathway:
- Level 1 Diploma in Electrical Installation
- Level 2 Electrical Installation
- Level 3 Domestic Electrician
- Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.
You can also train to become an electrician through an apprenticeship in the armed forces.
You’ll generally need 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship.
Scotland operates the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.
Complete a college course or an NVQ course
If you are thinking of a career change and wondering how to become a qualified electrician, taking a college or NVQ course would be your first step. You could enrol on the following courses, with the minimum GCSE requirements shown above:
- City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Building Services (Electrical Installation route) or EAL Level 2 Intermediate Diploma in Electrical Installation
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Building Services (Electrical Installation route) or EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
- NVQ Level 3 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Scotland – SCQF 7 in Electrical Installation
Online courses
Some electrician courses are offered 100% online – however, be very wary of these, as they may often have no professional accreditation that is recognised by the electrical industry. If the course is not endorsed by the City & Guilds or EAL, the awarding organisation for the electrotechnical industry, then it is best to give it a wide berth.
Become a fully qualified electrician
Successful completion of the Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma, combined with work experience as part of a course or apprenticeship, opens the door to your career as an electrician.
Retraining as an electrician: Career change guide
Can you become an electrician at 40, or older?
Yes, of course you can. Find out what the options are for retraining and having a career in the electrical industry at any stage of your working life.
Why retrain as an electrician?
Changing career might seem like a daunting thing to do, but there’s a lot to be said for retraining. There’s no point doing a job that you don’t enjoy, or doesn’t tick all those boxes about what makes a fulfilling career. It is possible to become an electrician in later life – you don’t have to be young to do an apprenticeship. If you like fixing things, have an interest in electrics and a practical approach to solving problems, working as an electrician could be an ideal job for you. Electricians are always in demand, and there are great opportunities to progress in the electrical industry.
Key considerations
Cost considerations
To become a qualified electrician you will need to undertake a college course or an apprenticeship. The latter is preferable especially if you are older, because you will be getting paid a salary during your apprenticeship. Apprentices are paid the National Minimum or National Living Wage, and those over the age of 23 are paid the highest rate. However, this could still mean a significant drop in income. Studying for an NVQ level qualification on a college course will involve paying a course fee.
Time and commitment
Training as an electrician does not happen overnight. To be fully qualified you need to have successfully achieved the Level 2 and Level 3 electrician apprenticeship qualifications. If you have 4-5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C), you might be accepted onto the Level 3 apprenticeship directly. But the Level 3 apprenticeship programme takes 3-4 years to complete, and if you are doing both Level 2 and 3, you could be training as an electrician for 4-5 years before qualifying. Older people may have more financial and personal responsibilities, so you need to be sure that you can fully commit to such a long period of retraining.
Is there an age limit on retraining as an electrician?
No, as long as you are of working age you can train to become an electrician. There may be more challenges involved for people in their 40s, 50s or 60s, but the work is less physical than some in the construction industry.
How long does it take to retrain as an electrician?
A Level 3 Domestic Electrician apprenticeship usually takes 3-4 years to complete. If you take a college course you may be able to reduce this training time, but you will still need plenty of work experience before having the skills and knowledge to become a fully qualified electrician.