Table of Contents Show
So, you want to become a licensed electrician? Well, that’s a very rewarding career path you’re headed to because apart from being diverse, this profession gives you a lot of opportunities for flexibility and growth. That said, the future is indeed bright for licensed electricians Melbourne professionals.
Once you are there, you get to widen your expertise and take specialization in diverse fields. Likewise, you have choices as to which market you’d like to focus on – domestic, commercial or industrial. We would suggest you to click on How to Become an Electrician: Career Guide in order to find complete details regarding this.
Furthermore, you can get big contracts from large companies in Victoria or in other Australian states, or you can be your own boss in your own start-up company as an independent contractor servicing your local community.
So much is in store for you once you become a fully licensed professional.
However, the road to becoming a licensed electrician is pretty tough. You can’t become one overnight.
You need to gain qualifications, comply with certain requirements that could take a couple of years, do hands-on jobs and pass all the tests before being given a license.
Just follow the steps below and you’re on your way to becoming an A-grade electrician someday.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician
- Take a course to earn Certificate II in Electrotechnology (UEE22011).
- Complete an electrical traineeship or Australian apprenticeship which takes about four years to finish for which you’d be given Certificate III in Electrotechnology (UEE30811).
- Take and pass the licensing assessments. The Licenced Electricians Assessment (LEA) is a series of three assessments that all electrical workers must successfully undergo in order to be granted a license. The three assessments are as follows: 1) Licenced Electricians Theory (LET) 2) Licenced Electricians Practice (LEP) and, 3) Safe Working Practice.
- Apply for an Electrician’s Licence so that you’ll be able to work without supervision. In Melbourne, find the authorized licensing body and proceed to comply with the requirements for registration as the requirements in other states may differ.
Life of an Apprentice
As an apprentice, you’ll be required to work on the job as well as at an electrical trade school.
Apprenticeship also entails being employed in a company where you’ll be working with close supervision of your supervisor so that you can learn all of the skills required of a competent electrician.
On top of that, you’ll likewise go through a real-life experience to complete your training. When in trade school, expect a ton of practical tasks, not just sit on your desk and take notes.
The best part, even as an apprentice you’ll be earning money in real-time while studying.
Read Also:
Choosing Your Specialty as an Electrician
Once you have finally succeeded in obtaining the license as an electrician, it’s still a long way to go before you master your profession.
Your journey would start with being an apprentice. Afterward, you have a big decision to choose on what specialty you’d like to take.
Yes, just like physicians and lawyers, electricians also have their own fields of specialty. Once you make your decision on which path to take, it’s important that you master it. This is similar to a doctor who becomes a consultant.
So, what are the different types of electricians?
Residential Electrical Installers
Also known as the general electrician, a residential electrical installer, perhaps is the most common type of electrician, even in other countries.
Commercial Installation Electricians
These are electricians who work in larger establishments, such as corporate buildings and malls. In most cases, the projects these professionals cater are connected to security, power, and fire protection.
Maintenance Electricians
These are the type of licensed electricians who focus more on the diagnostic and maintenance side of electrical systems.
Their primary responsibility is to ensure that all the wirings of a home or establishment are in their best condition.
Additionally, maintenance electricians also cover tasks related to machine repairs from factories as well as a building’s utility electronic system.
Highway Systems Electrician
These professionals focus on road systems like traffic and street lights. To ensure public safety, highway systems electricians are held to tight governmental standards.
Main Job of All Electricians
Regardless of the specialty, a licensed electrician has to deal with – repair, install and maintain electrical systems and their components.
As a rule of thumb, all licensed electricians must observe the ‘safety first’ standard – safety for your own life and your client’s as well.