This occupation is found in the industrial, commercial, and residential construction, engineering, and power industries The broad purpose of the occupation is to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in industrial, commercial and residential environments including communal areas.
Electricians may work on the installation, initial verification and testing, commissioning, and maintenance of low voltage (up to and including 1000 V or AC 1500 V DC) electrical and electronic equipment. Electricians can also work on the maintenance of electrical and electronic installations including automated production systems.
Once qualified, some electricians may choose to become self-employed contractors.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in industrial, commercial and residential environments including communal areas.
The scope of an Electrician’s work encompasses using engineering knowledge and understanding to apply technical and practical skills. They contribute to the design, development, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of products, equipment, processes, of electric systems or services. Electrical equipment and systems may include switchboards, motors, cables, fuses, thermal relays, protective devices, heating, lighting, air conditioning and metering equipment as well as property and life safety installations and renewable energy technologies plus the installation and maintenance of electrical connections of new and emerging technologies supporting low carbon targets. The new technologies will include enhanced connectivity, green and renewable technologies including heating and cooling technologies, using where appropriate, Modern Methods of Construction including offsite and prefabricated components.
Electricians may work in both indoor and outdoor settings on a range of electrical equipment and systems. They can work on their own proficiently and work without immediate supervision in the most efficient and economical manner.
They may contribute to the design of electrical systems. They can set out jobs from drawings and specifications and requisition the necessary installation materials.
Electrical safety is an important area of Electricians’ work. On completion of their work the electrical installation must be safe to use. Electricians must comply with statutory and non-statutory requirements including the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR), the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE), and Working at Height Regulations, BS 7671 and related codes of practice and industry guidance including but not limited to the Building Safety Act.
In their daily work, a worker in this occupation interacts with:
• Their customers who are usually the contracting company or they may be the end user of the services.
• The Team Leader or Area Manager as well as personnel responsible for materials storage and supply if they work in an organisation.
• Workers in other construction trades who may be working on the same site at the same time.
• Building materials suppliers, merchants, small business support, and others if they are self-employed.
• An electrician will sometimes work within a team or supervise a small team and may often be accompanied an apprentice.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work to specification, with minimal if any supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines. They may be solely responsible for company property such as tools and work vehicles for transporting materials such as company vans. They will know how to operate within the limits of their own competence and when and from whom to seek help when needed.
Key requirements for successful electricians include professionalism, high regard for client satisfaction and safety prioritisation throughout the job from inception, proposing solutions including design, providing quotations, undertaking work, commissioning and handover.
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Duty 1 Understand fully and work in full compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations; building regulations; industry guidance notes; relevant codes of practice, the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) and other relevant standards. |
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Duty 2 Carry out electrical installation, initial verification, maintenance, and testing work on a variety of voltages; both AC and DC; single and three-phase. |
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Duty 3 Carry out maintenance regimes, periodic inspection and testing and electrical installation condition reporting of existing electrical installations in accordance with manufacturer instructions and the requirements for electrical installations. |
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Duty 4 Undertake the installation of both wired and wireless solutions in achieving a desired outcome appropriate to client need in accordance with the requirements of BS 7671 and other relevant industry standards, and assess electrical loads on such new installations to ensure safe and suitable solutions are provided . |
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Duty 5 Plan and deliver the best solution for the client, incorporating and integrating new technologies as required, within agreed budget, including the installation, maintenance, and inspection of special installations, including but not limited to electric vehicle charging systems, PV and Thermal panels battery storage, and Stand By Generation in accordance with the requirements of BS 7671 and other relevant industry standards. |
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Duty 6 Decide the correct location, site and install mains powered life safety systems for industrial, commercial and residential installations. |
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Duty 7 Design and install wiring and connections for known and novel heating and cooling systems, for industrial, commercial, and residential installations which need electrical connections. |
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Duty 8 Install cables within the fabric of the building for internal and external installations while maintaining the integrity of fire compartments. |
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Duty 9 Understand the need for appropriate consideration towards, and knowledge of specialist requirements when working in historical installations and settings. |
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Duty 10 Communicate and liaise effectively with own project team, and those in other teams, such as clients or specialist contractors, and with internal or external stakeholders, respecting the need for the security of data and information. |
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Duty 11 Understand the different types of novel technologies being developed relating to electrical installations including the smart grid, use of prefabricated products and components (plug and play), energy efficient lighting technologies, lower carbon electric power generation and the IoT and how new technologies can be retrofitted to existing installations. |
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Duty 12 Restore work area and return tools, and unused materials and equipment to a safe and reliable condition, to prescribed standards of cleanliness on completion of installation or maintenance work. |
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Duty 13 Prepare and complete relevant work documentation from quotation to certification, including fault finding during commissioning, and handover stages in accordance with organisation policy and procedures and any other relevant information and guidance. |
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Duty 14 Understand how to plan and project manage typical Electrician work to maximise quality of outcome and efficiency of workflow. |
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Duty 15 Develop and maintain skills in using a range of practical and workshop skills, selecting, and applying appropriate materials, equipment, technologies and processes to install or maintain electrical installations. |
K1: Health and safety legislation and safe working practices covering hazards and risks when undertaking electrical work in industrial, commercial and communal residential environments and how these can be avoided.
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K2: Duties and obligations to act in protecting safety of self, colleagues and the public whilst undertaking work.
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K3: Safety Control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE),and the importance of, restoring the work area to a tidy and safe condition on the completion of work.
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K4: Written and verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them.
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K5: Customer and client service methods and techniques and the differing needs of people and groups of people relating to equity and diversity.
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K6: Key organisations and their purpose within the electrical industry and the electrician's role within the industry.
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K7: Relevant legislation pertaining to electrical work including Building Regulations; industry guidance notes; relevant codes of practice, the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) and related standards as well as an awareness of the principles of sustainable development.
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K8: Technical information and guidance specifically for electrical work, including electrical drawings, technical specifications, their application.
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K9: Mathematical and scientific techniques, formulae, and calculations that underpin an electrician’s work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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K10: Tools, materials, equipment, and components, including prefabricated, available to be used when performing electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments and how to identify and use them safely.
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K11: The purpose of different electrical and electronic equipment, installations, components and systems and their characteristics, features, and their electrical requirements in industrial, commercial and residential environments including in a retrofit context.
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K12: Processes and procedures including MMC for the design, planning, set up, and installation of electrical and related electronic systems in industrial, commercial, and residential environments including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
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K13: Methods of terminating and connecting cables in electrical wiring systems, installations, and equipment in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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K14: Fault diagnosis and rectification of electrical installations using different diagnostic and problem-solving techniques and the methods to find, assess, and resolve electrical faults in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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K15: Safe isolation, initial verification and appreciate periodic inspection, testing and reporting of electrical installations in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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K16: Importance of accurate preparation, completion, and maintenance of relevant work documentation including observations, test results, certification documents including EICR and the application of information technology applications and software used in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
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K17: Project management techniques, including relevant continuous improvement processes for electrical, engineering and construction work.
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K18: Requirements for continual personal and professional development within the industry and the opportunities for career progression and professional registration.
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K19: Digital learning platforms, and platforms used for business communication and collaboration.
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S1: Maintain the safety of self and others by applying statutory health and safety policies, procedures, and regulations when conducting electrical work.
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S2: Comply with all relevant legislation including environmental, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance when planning and performing electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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S3: Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used when undertaking electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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S4: Carry out work in a tidy and safe manner, including restoration of the work area on completion of work.
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S5: Use verbal and written communication techniques suitable for the context, adapting style and use of terminology to suit the audience. Uses industry terminology.
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S6: Apply customer service principles and techniques to deliver customer or client service in industrial, commercial and communal residential environments.
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S7: Apply relevant legislation; Building Regulations; industry guidance notes; relevant codes of practice, the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) and other relevant standards while carrying out work.
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S8: Understand and apply the practices and procedures for planning and preparing to maintain electrotechnical systems and equipment.
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S9: Apply and use necessary mathematical and scientific techniques, formulae, and calculations that underpin an electrician’s work.
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S10: Use a range of tools, materials, equipment, and components, including prefabricated, relevant to performing electrical work in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
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S11: Design, plan, set up, and install electrical and related electronic systems including terminating and connecting cables in electrical wiring systems, installations, and equipment in commercial, industrial, and residential installations.
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S12: Inspect and test new and where applicable existing electrical Installations in industrial, commercial and residential environments using test equipment.
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S13: Apply diagnostic and problem-solving techniques to identify, assess and resolve electrical faults in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
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S14: Install electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
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S15: Maintain electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
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S16: Carry out and manage own work ensuring work is compliant to the standards required of an electrician working in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
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S17: Record work including the completion and maintenance of work documentation, recording of test results and preparation of appropriate certification.
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S18: Use relevant digital learning platforms and business communication and collaboration applications.
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B1: Acts responsibly, ethically and contributes to safe outcomes. Puts health and safety first for themselves and others. Embeds a health and safety culture and is always hazard and risk aware during work. Challenges any unsafe practices and demonstrates personal accountability.
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B2: Embraces a sustainable working culture, taking responsibility for the careful use of resources and correct disposal of work waste demonstrating consideration r of the environmental impact.
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B3: Demonstrates commitment to quality, commercial awareness, and continuous improvement by complying with health, safety and welfare requirements, industry standards, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
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B4: Focuses on the requirements of the customer (internal and external) or client, seeking to provide outstanding customer service.
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B5: Manages own time efficiently to complete work operations and effectively schedule work within the confines of job responsibility and awareness of the limits of their own competence.
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B6: Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice, relevant legislation and technical standards and undertaking personal CPD in line with industry best practice.
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B7: Works productively and cooperatively with co-workers, customers, vendors, people from other trades and other people external to their own company using effective communication skills.
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B8: Promote green technologies when appropriate, meeting, or exceeding customer requirements, including customers with diverse needs and those transitioning to green technologies.
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