2. Electrical Artisan
Electricians fit and repair electrical circuits and wiring in people’s homes and businesses. Additionally, you can install and maintain electrical equipment, instruments and machinery. This career could be good for you if you’re good with practical work, can follow technical plans and want a varied job. You’ll also need to be well organised and understand the importance of safety regulations.
To qualify as an electrician, you will need to complete industry-recognised training and qualifications. A convenient way to do this is through an apprenticeship.
What qualifications you need
On completion of an N2 qualification, you may work as an apprentice for a qualified electrician. After 5 years of experience, you can take the electrical trade test. You can contact the Electrical Contractors Association for additional modules in order to reduce the 5-year period to 3 years.
Once you’ve successfully completed the trade test, you become a qualified electrician and are entitled to a higher salary.
After qualifying as an electrician, and gaining enough experience, the next goal is to be registered as an electrical contractor or to obtain the Wireman’s licence. An N3 qualification forms part of the application criteria.
If you wish to, you can study further towards a Diploma in engineering studies (N4-N6). An N3 with Maths & Engineering Science is an entry requirement for N4 –N6 studies.
Training institutions
To assist you in acquiring your N2 qualification level, and starting on your electrical-professional journey, you can join a training programme. Here are several examples of electrical apprenticeship programmes that you can apply for:
Artisan development academy, the Denel Technical Academy and Qualitas Career Academy offer an industrial electrical apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship is a nationally accredited, typically fully-funded, training programme combining real work with learning and training. You’ll not only gain practical work experience with host employers, you’ll also receive a salary while undergoing training.
Here are a few other educational establishments you can get in touch with, to learn about industrial electricity:
Protech Training
- Learnership and Apprenticeship
- Visit:www.protechtraining.co.za
Durnacol
- Learnership and Apprenticeship
- Visit:www.skillsinnovationhub.co.za
MCD Training Centre
- Learnership and Apprenticeship
- Visit:www.mcdtraining.co.za
AA Technical College
- Apprenticeship
- Visit:www.aa.co.za
Trade Associations you should belong to
The ECA(SA) represents the interests of electrical contractors at many government and industry bodies, providing input from its members and receiving all of the latest developments first-hand.
Experience needed
Prerequisites for becoming a certified electrical contractor include, completing an electrical contractor apprenticeship and passing a Trade Test. There are many TVET Colleges, as well as learnership and apprenticeship programmes, that offer qualifications as an electrician.
These programmes are only the stepping stones, and if you’re dedicated enough and electricity is your passion, you can study all the way to electrical engineer level.