Electrician Jobs
- What is the outlook for electricians in the UK?
- Where can electrician positions be found in the UK?
- What type of electrician employment is available in the UK?
- Who do electricians work for in the UK?
- What qualifications do you need to work as an electrician in the UK?
- What other electrician employment experience is advantageous?
- How much can you expect to earn for an electrician position in the UK?
- What is the best way to find an electrician position in the UK?
- How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
What is the outlook for electricians in the UK?
The UK is a fantastic option for anyone looking for electrical jobs abroad. The UK's construction industry is in a very healthy state and the outlook for anyone looking for an electrician position is very good.
Fuelled by a strong economy and the demands of an expanding population, there is a constant need to maintain old and develop new infrastructure within the UK. And, of course, there is also the incredibly large task of preparing for the 2012 Olympic games in London.
This means that there are a great variety of construction projects being undertaken across the UK and there is a strong demand for electricians to help with their completion. Apply to Jobs before you arrive or Register with Agencies up to 6 months before you arrive.
Where can electrician positions be found in the UK?
Electrician positions are available UK–wide, though the majority exist in large towns and cities. The biggest example of this is in London. The size of the city and the enormous demands placed on its infrastructure means that there is huge demand for workers within the construction industry.
Electrician employment can also be commonly found in areas just outside of London. Within the wider area of South East England, electrician jobs may be found in such places as:
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Other areas throughout the UK which you might consider, include:
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Tip: If you have a particular desire to live and work in a specific UK location, then make this intention clear to your recruitment agent from the outset.
What type of electrician employment is available in the UK?
Electrician positions are generally undertaken on a contract basis in the UK. You may work for a particular electrical contracting company, a labour agency or as a sub-contractor. Taking on part time construction jobs in the UK can give you the flexibility to split your time between work and travel.
Who do electricians work for in the UK?
Electricians can find work from a variety of private-sector employers, including:
- Electrical firms
- Building firms
- Manufacturing and engineering companies
Electrical contracting companies come in all shapes and sizes. There are around 100 large UK firms which employ more than 60 people and account for 30% of the market. At the other end of the spectrum, there are around 50 000 firms which employ less than 3 people - these firms also account for 30% of the market.
Electrician job openings are often best found by using a recruitment agency. In many cases, the agency will act as your direct employer.
What qualifications do you need to work as an electrician in the UK?
The UK has an extensive set of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) which provide the theoretic background to many trades and vocations. In Scotland, these are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). S/NVQs are completed in line with apprenticeships and contain 5 levels:
- Level 1: equivalent to a site operative or labourer
- Level 2: craftsperson
- Level 3: advanced craftsperson
- Level 4: manager / professional
- Level 5: senior manager
UK electricians achieve their certified status by completing an Electrotechnical Services NVQ at level 3.
Being able to prove that you meet this level of certification is becoming increasingly important in the UK and is now a prerequisite to working on most construction sites. To this end, a number of certification schemes have been developed to provide all construction site workers with an official photo ID card which provides proof of their level of qualification.
While it is not currently a legal requirement to belong to a certification scheme, it may certainly be seen as advantageous to your employment prospects. There are a number of different certification schemes for different occupations.
Electricians can apply to become members of the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), which is awarded by the Joint Industries Board (JIB) for the Electrical Contracting Industry. An application form for the ECS can be found at the JIB website. The cost of the application is £25.
For overseas workers, your application for the ECS card must include:
- An evaluation of your qualifications as provided by UK NARIC. The cost of a letter of comparability (online) is £39.95. For more information, UK NARIC may be contacted on (t) +44 (0)871 330 7033, (f) +44 (0)871330 7005, or (e) info@naric.org.uk.
- A City & Guilds IEE 16th edition Qualification. These qualifications may be completed at a number of different centres for varying costs.
- A valid ECS Health and Safety Certificate. Detailed information regarding this assessment (and possible exceptions) can be found on the JIB website. The cost of the assessment is £35.
What other electrician employment experience is advantageous?
Electrician employment is available for electricians of all experience levels though, essentially, the more experience you have the better. As a general rule, having 2 + years experience should be sufficient.
Having detailed information regarding your previous experience, such as the size and scope of electrical projects you have been involved in, will be extremely useful in helping you find work. You should also ensure that you have an accurate and up to date list of referees.
How much can you expect to earn for an electrician position in the UK?
The amount of money you can earn for an electrician position in the UK varies from job to job and will be effected by a number of factors.
Electrician hourly wages will be slightly different to electrician yearly wages. Also, jobs based in London almost always pay more than those based in other parts of the UK. This is due to the associated costs of living in London, as well as the fact that many larger (and richer) companies are based in London.
Other factors which will effect your pay packet include:
- The size of the organisation you work for.
- The amount of responsibility you have in your role.
- The amount of previous experience you possess.
You may also need to acquire UK experience before you begin to earn premium amounts.
The following is a guide to electrician hourly wages, based on experience and location:
| Outside Greater London | Within Greater London | |
| Electrician (0 – 2 years experience) | £11 — £12 per hour | £12 — £13.50 per hour |
| Approved electrician (2 + years experience) | £12 — £13 per hour | £13 — £14.50 per hour |
| Electrical technician (5 + years experience) | £14 — £15 per hour | £15 — £16.50 per hour |
What is the best way to find an electrician position in the UK?
There are plenty of electrician positions in the UK for experienced candidates but finding the right job can be a daunting task.
Whether you are applying for a specific job or simply looking for anything which matches your skills and experience, your first point of contact will probably be a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies are heavily involved in the UK job market — it is their business to find quality candidates for employers while simultaneously helping candidates to develop and progress their careers.
WORKgateways manages a network of the best building, trades and labour recruiters to help you reach your potential.
Register with recruitment agencies up to 6 months before your arrival in the UK. Your recruitment consultant will then begin the process of finding you a suitable position, giving you a great head start to your working life in the UK.
If your travel plans or arrival date changes, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
Learn how to get the most out of your WORKgateways UK job search in our FAQs.
How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
Your CV for the UK should be short - no more than 2 pages. Recruiters and employers see hundreds of CVs at a time, so it's important to make sure that the important information on your CV is obvious.
Your CV should include a list of the projects you have worked on, including specific details on your requirements and responsibilities.
Be sure to list your experience in reverse-chronological order (i.e. most recent experience first).
Use lists and bullet points to enable the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and abilities.
Here is a free sample electrician resume:
| Mar 2006 — Present | Company Name, Country Electrician |
| Projects: |
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| Responsibilities: |
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