Electrician Apprenticeships UK
"Electrician Apprenticeships help charge your career."
Electrician Apprenticeships are a great way to gain the knowledge and experience required to become an electrician through on the job training with an apprentice employer or apprenticeship training provider.
By starting an apprentice electrician job you will gain valuable experience whilst learning on the job from seasoned professionals looking to transfer their valuable knowledge and skills to the next generation of electricians. You will attain the qualifications needed to become a fully qualified electrician.
If you have any questions about how to become an apprentice please feel free to drop us a line: Contact Us
Add some spark to your job with an Electrician Apprenticeship
Charging your career prospects with an electrician apprenticeship will give you the head start you need to correctly wire your future employment. As an apprentice you will learn what is required to earn the qualifications needed to be able to successful carry out simple electrical tasks to re-wiring houses and progressing to become an electrical engineer.
There is no need for you to have previous experience for electrician apprenticeships all you need is to be keen to learn and want to build a long lasting career in the world of electricity.
What are the different types of electricians?
When you become an electrician there are many options open to you to be able to kickstart a career with an employer. You would need to decide early on in what area you want to become an electrician from installing power and lighting systems to fire security or whether you want to maintain the building control systems. Other electrician jobs would require you to also go through further training on specific machinery with transformers, compressors or pumps or HV systems like street lighting.
There are specific apprenticeships for different fields which cover the required skills and knowledge to be able to carry out your duties correctly when qualified.
Electrician jobs can include:
- Maintenance Electricians
- Installation Electricions
- Electrical Systems
- Machine Repair and Maintain Electricians
- Building Services Electricians
You can start your apprenticeship training as an electrician at intermediate level 2 which will offer on the job training for you to become a domestic electrician.
After you have completed your Level 2 Apprenticeship you can then progress to the advanced level which will train you in commercial electrician principles and practical knowledge enabling you to become a building services installation or maintenance electrician.
You may then decide you want to increase your knowledge and skill set by becoming an engineer and studying towards a diploma even a Bachelors or Masters degree and become a chartered electrical engineer.
Advanced Level 3 Installation Electrician Apprenticeship
This is a 42 month apprenticeship programme of which you will achieve a Level 3 NVQ and a BTEC Diploma Electrotechnical qualification. Your apprenticeship training will involve how to install, maintain and repair electrical systems whilst grasping the knowledge and principles of electrical systems in buildings and other associated structures.
Advanced Level 3 Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship
This is a 42 month apprenticeship programme of which you will achieve a Level 3 NVQ and a BTEC Diploma Electrotechnical qualification. Your apprenticeship training will involve how to install, maintain and repair electrical systems whilst grasping the knowledge and principles of maintaining electrical systems and any associated plant equipment and machinery.
Level 4 Building Services Apprenticeship
This is a 36 month Higher Apprenticeship covering engineering principles, health and safety, project management within the building services sector and will lead to a Level 4 HND qualification. you will also be able to to achieve Technician status with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers as this apprenticeships covers the correct knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Level 4 Electrical Engineer Apprenticeship
This is a 36 month apprenticeship programme covering electrical power networks with subject areas such as Design, Asset Management, Planning. To become a Power Network Engineer you will have to know the principles of electrical power, electricity network design, limitations of plant and associated equipment and be able to solve engineering problems. On completion of this apprenticeship you are able to register with the Engineering Council as an engineering technician.
In a recent survey conducted by TradeSkills4U the results show that the average salary for an electrician in the UK is approximately £33,496 per annum as a salaried employee. If you decided you wanted to work as a sole trader the earning potential could be higher with hourly rates in the region of £40 - £60 or days rates from £180.
As a trainee or apprentice electrician the average salary companies are paying varies depending on where you live in the UK from £10,000 - £20,000.
Become an Apprentice
We've highlighted the top 7 reasons why you should become an apprentice and kickstart your career through the apprenticeship route.
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Apprenticeship Levels
There are four main types of apprenticeship levels, knowing which one you qualify for is important before you make your application.
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Apprenticeships Explained
Not quite sure what an apprenticeship is and how an apprenticeship will help you with your career development.
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Register as an Apprentice!
To start building yourself a career as an electrician we suggest you register with us, the UK's leading website for apprenticeship jobs.
After you have registered you can find and apply for as many electrician apprenticeships as you like. You can also set up an apprenticeship alert to have any new apprentice electrician job opportunities emailed directly to you saving you time in your search.
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Intermediate Apprenticeships are your entry level into the world of apprenticeships more commonly known as a Level 2 Apprenticeship. Level 2 apprenticeships offer an excellent route into further education post 16, as an alternative to staying on at school, whilst receiving on the job training and studying towards a nationally recognised qualification.
During your intermediate apprenticeship you will study part-time with a college or a training provider, 20% of your training, towards an NVQ Level 2 and knowledge based qualification such as a BTEC, together these qualifications are the equivalent to 5 GCSE's grades 9 - 4 (A* - C on the old grading system). You will also receive a Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English if you don't already have them.
An Intermediate Apprenticeship is great for learning work related skills as apposed to being given more responsibility. This level of training will make you work ready and train you in the hands on skills required to undertake the responsibility of the task and give you the employability skills you need to be successful.
Qualifying Criteria
There is no formal qualifying criteria for a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship however some employers may ask for a minimum of 2 GCSE's to be able to join their apprenticeship programme.
Advanced Apprenticeships or commonly known as Level 3 Apprenticeships are the equivalent to doing 2 A-Levels and are the next level from an intermediate apprenticeship. Level 3 apprenticeships are great for you to start once you have completed your GCSE's and have attained the correct grades to be able to start at this level.
Starting at the advanced level even if you already have A-levels enables you to gain on the training, of which some employers prefer you to have before starting a Higher or Degree apprenticeship.
Just like an intermediate apprenticeship you will be required to spend at least 20% of your time studying with a college or training provider to be able to achieve the qualifications. On completion of you r apprenticeship you will achieve the equivalent of 2 A-Levels in the form of an NVQ Level 3 and a knowledge based qualifications such as a BTEC diploma.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualifying for a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship many employers ask for a minimum of 5 GCSE's which must include Maths and English, this is why an intermediate apprenticeships gives you these qualifications on completion. Although an advanced apprenticeships is the equivalent of 2 A-Levels some employers may add A-Levels as their requirement at this level also.
Find companies advertising advanced apprenticeship jobs on our website.
Higher Apprenticeships are your Levels 4 and 5 qualifications and enable you to study towards a HNC or HND respectively whilst at Level 5 you can also attain a foundation degree which is great if you want to continue in your studies towards a bachelors degree.
During your higher apprenticeship training you will be required to studying part-time with a training provider, college or university which along with your on the job training will enable you to train towards a Level 4 or 5 NVQ and BTEC diploma along with their respective HNC or HND qualification. Higher apprenticeships can take up to four years to complete.
As a higher apprentice you will be given a lot more responsibility which may include managing people or teams or even responsible for managing projects. You will be supported by your employer along side your mentors and tutors making sure to advise and guide you along the way during your apprenticeship programme.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualifying for a higher apprenticeship you will need to have achieved and completed at least a Level 3 Apprenticeship or have 5 GCSE's grades 9-4 which must include Maths and English and 2 A-Levels.
Find companies advertising higher apprenticeship jobs on our website.
Degree apprenticeships were introduced in September 2015 and have been receive with open arms both by employers and apprentices alike. Also known as Level 6 or 7 apprenticeships the degree level apprenticeship enables you to study towards a Bachelors or Masters degree.
You can start a degree apprenticeships straight after your advanced apprenticeship level or alternatively if you want to gain more on the job training before the Level 6 programme you can overlap from a higher apprenticeship programme. Many employers are now partnering with leading universities across the country to offer degree level apprenticeships to help advance your learning opportunities.
Just like studying at university a degree level apprenticeship takes between 3 to 6 years to complete you will achieve this by on the job training with your employer and training provider and then part-time study at the designated university for your apprenticeship course.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualifying for a degree apprenticeship you will need to have at least Level 3 qualifications of 2 A-Levels, NVQ and BTEC or have completely the advanced apprenticeship. Level 6 and 7 are also a natural progression from a higher apprenticeship.
Find companies advertising degree apprenticeship jobs on our website.
FAQs about Electrican Apprenticeships
Where can I find an apprentice electrician job?
Use our quick and easy search function to find an electrician apprenticeship then register to become an apprentice.
Do I have to have previous experience to do an electrician apprenticeship?
You do not need to have previous experience to start as an apprentice electrician, most employers do offer the advanced apprenticeship option. You would be required to have either completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship or have the relevant qualifying criteria to start at Level 3.
Do I have to do an apprenticeship to become a qualified electrician?
You do not need to do an apprenticeship to become a qualified electrician, you can study a City and Guilds course either directly and funded by yourself or alternatively there are specialist training companies offer city and golds training services.
Where can I find an electrician job once qualified?
Once you have completed your apprenticeship your current employer may decide to offer you a full-time job or alternatively you may need to start jobhunting using popular job sites such as Indeed or TotalJobs.
How long does an electrician apprenticeship take?
The level 3 Installation or Maintenance electrician apprenticeship takes 43 months and then if you decide to progress to a level 4 qualification that will take a further 48 months.
How much will I be paid as an apprentice electrician?
The minimum national wage for an apprentice is £4.30, however companies are paying much higher than this due to the competition to attract apprentices to their company.
The UK national average wage for electrician apprentices is between £10,000 - £20,000.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a form of further education which offers on the job training for you to gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst studying part-time with an apprenticeship training provider, college or university through workshops or classroom training.
Apprenticeship training has to be delivered by a registered apprenticeship training provider which can also be an employer-provider, where the employer you are training through are on the register of training providers to be able to deliver their own training requirements. If an employer acts as an employer-provider they will usually employ a number of people such as Apprenticeship Assessors, Mentors and Managers to support you through your apprenticeship programme.
During your apprenticeship you will receive a salary and all the other benefits permanent employees receive. An apprenticeship job is only for a specified time as stipulated at the beginning of your apprenticeship training which can last anything from 12 months to 5 years.
To find our more about apprenticeships please refer to our What is an Apprenticeship? guide.
Why should you start an apprenticeship?
If you are considering your post 16 options you probably wouldn't have considered an apprenticeship a few years ago and would be struggling or worrying what to do when you leave school. It is a legal requirement for you to now stay in some form of further education until the age of 18 and you now have three options A-Levels, College or an Apprenticeship.
You can start an apprenticeship at the age of 16 through the Intermediate or Advanced level apprenticeship programmes across many industry sectors from Construction, Technology or even Marketing. There are no entry requirements for the intermediate apprenticeship, however you will need at least 5 GCSE's at grade 4 (previously C grade) or above to qualify for the advanced apprenticeship. On completion of the intermediate you will gain the qualifying criteria for a level 3.
The best reason for starting an apprenticeship is on completion of each level you will receive a nationally recognised qualification from an NVQ all the way up to a degree level apprenticeship such as a Bachelors or Masters.
How can you become an apprentice?
There are a number of ways to become an apprentice so we thought we would list them for you:
- Register with websites like ourselves, there are others available.
- Apprenticeship Job Fairs are great for meeting employers and training providers.
- Contact training providers in your area, a simple Google search "Training providers near me" will give you the information you need.
- Contact your local colleges or universities or visit their websites to see if they offer apprenticeship training.
- UCAS promote apprenticeship opportunities on their website on behalf of employers.
and finally......
- Do some research on apprenticeships and find a topic or industry that you would like to start an apprenticeship in and then research local companies in those sectors and visit their websites to see if they offer apprenticeship training and apply directly with them.
Electrician Apprenticeships
FAQs about Electrician Apprenticeships