What are the main aptitudes for an electrician?

As you consider your career choice for the future it makes most sense to work out what you are good at and which things you are not so good at. Choosing a choice of job that is a good match for your skill set and attitudes will prevent wasted time and heartache later. Becoming an electrician has always been a fairly popular choice for a certain type of person and these days, with the recession biting, even more folk are making enquiries about the job. Let’s take a quick look into the main core aptitudes required for an electrician.
 
Technical capability
 
This is a vital part of being an electrician – if you don’t really like working things out, making calculations or following technical plans then this isn’t the career for you. Being comfortable with numbers and imagining how things work spacially are really important assets for an electrician. Even to get onto apprenticeships and training courses it is probable you’ll have to demonstrate a certain level of numeracy and mathematics (and literacy), so this is something to bear in mind.
 
Problem solving
 
Every day electricians are faced with what are in essence problems of an electrical and physical nature to solve. You’ll obviously get better at working with these issues the more experience you have in the profession but a good logical mind is important for working through solutions. There could be times when you come to a task which seems to be tangled and complicated and there might not be too much physical space to do it – you’ll need to find ways to get a successful outcome.
 
A certain level of fitness
 
Although not in the league of building or labouring, being an electrician does require a certain level of physical work. Often jobs will have to be carried out in cramped, uncomfortable spaces and you may have to spend hours in slightly awkward positions as you install or test electrical wiring or appliances. You need to be able to cope with this and also sustain the levels of concentration vital when working with electricity.
 
Business acumen
 
This is an important factor in the success of an electrician, particularly if you want to go on to run your own business. An electrician must be able to handle communicating with clients and working out quotes, plus allowing for the cost of materials, time and manpower. You’ve got to be able to charge the going rate for your services whilst remaining competitive and retaining the trust of your clients.
 
Ability to keep up to date
 
Keeping up to date with the wiring regulations and the Part P electrical safety certificate is essential for any electrician, new or experienced. Like no other trade, electrotechnical services are bound and governed by health and safety law and regulations are regularly updated. You’ve got to be ready to take the tests and usually pay for them yourself in order to keep on legally working.
 
Attention to detail
 
Getting the electrics right is obviously massively important. A good electrician should not be satisfied until the job is done right, and more importantly according to electrical safety guidelines. Sloppy work will mean accidents and a loss of clients. Patience and diligence are required qualities for an aspiring electrician.

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