What is it?
Electrical work is the skilled trade of installing, maintaining, and repairing the electrical systems that power buildings, infrastructure, and equipment. Electricians work on everything from wiring a new home to maintaining the electrical systems in hospitals, factories, and data centres.
It is one of the most technically demanding trades, combining practical skill with a solid understanding of science and safety.
What would you actually do?
Depending on your specialism and employer, you could be:
Installing wiring, sockets, switches, and consumer units in new-build properties
Testing and inspecting existing electrical installations
Diagnosing and repairing faults in electrical systems
Installing lighting systems, security systems, and fire alarms
Working on commercial or industrial electrical installations
Reading and interpreting wiring diagrams and technical drawings
Carrying out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) for landlords and property owners
Installing EV (electric vehicle) charging points
Working on renewable energy systems such as solar panels
The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) is updated periodically. Qualified electricians must keep their knowledge current - it is not a qualification you get once and forget.
Career Paths
Domestic - wiring homes, fitting consumer units, installing sockets and lighting, and testing existing installations.
Commercial - larger-scale work in offices, retail units, and public buildings, often as part of a construction team.
Industrial - working in factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants on high-voltage systems and specialist equipment.
Building services / facilities management - maintaining the electrical systems in large buildings on an ongoing basis.
Renewable energy - a fast-growing area covering solar panel installation, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure.
Data and communications - installing structured cabling, server rooms, and low-voltage systems.
Is it right for you?
You might suit this trade if you:
Enjoyed science and physics at school, particularly electricity
Like logical, methodical problem-solving
Take safety seriously and follow processes carefully
Enjoy both practical work and the technical, theoretical side
Want a trade with strong earning potential and clear progression
Like the idea of working across a wide variety of environments
It might not suit you if you are not comfortable with heights (working on ladders and in roof spaces is common), or if you find detailed technical work frustrating rather than satisfying.
EV charging is a major growth area. The UK's transition away from petrol and diesel means demand for charge point installation is rising fast, and qualified electricians with this specialism are well placed.
Skills you will build
Reading and interpreting wiring diagrams and technical schematics
Installing cables, conduit, and wiring systems correctly and safely
Using testing equipment to verify installations meet regulations
Fault-finding - diagnosing problems systematically and accurately
Understanding and applying the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
Communicating clearly with clients and other trades on site
Keeping accurate records and certification paperwork
Managing your own workload if self-employed
How do you get in?
Apprenticeship - the gold standard route. An Electrical Installation apprenticeship at Level 3 typically takes around four years and combines on-site work with college learning. You earn a wage throughout and come out fully qualified and industry-recognised.
College course - a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation gives you the core skills and knowledge. Many students then find an employer or apprenticeship placement after completing it.
T Level in Building Services Engineering - a newer qualification combining classroom learning with a substantial industry placement, recognised by employers as a valid entry route.
AM2 Assessment - not an entry route, but important to know about. The AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) is the end-point practical assessment that most apprentices and college leavers must pass to be recognised as qualified. It is the industry's benchmark test of competence.
Solar and battery storage is another expanding market. Many electricians are adding renewable energy qualifications to broaden what they can offer.
Qualifications to know about
Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation - the starting qualification for entering the trade
Level 3 Diploma / NVQ - the core qualification for a fully qualified electrician
City & Guilds 2382 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations) - essential knowledge qualification covering BS 7671, required for all practising electricians
City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection and Testing) - required for carrying out electrical testing and issuing certificates
AM2 Assessment - the practical competency assessment required for JIB (Joint Industry Board) Gold Card registration
JIB Gold Card - the industry-recognised card that confirms you are a qualified electrician; required by most employers and clients
CSCS Card - required for working on construction sites
EV Charging Installation qualification - increasingly valuable as demand for EV charge points grows rapidly
What can you earn?
Apprentice: Around £8,000 - £16,000 per year
Newly qualified electrician: Around £28,000 - £36,000 per year
Experienced electrician: £36,000 - £50,000 per year
Self-employed / specialist: £50,000 - £70,000+ per year
Industrial and commercial work tends to pay more than domestic. Specialists in renewables, data centres, or high-voltage systems can earn significantly above average. Self-employed electricians who build a strong client base can earn very well.
What could it lead to?
Self-employed electrician running your own domestic or commercial business
Approved electrician or supervisor with a larger contractor
Electrical project manager overseeing large installations
Renewable energy specialist -- solar, battery storage, EV infrastructure
Building services engineer working on large commercial properties
Electrical safety inspector carrying out EICRs
Teaching or assessor roles in further education
Electrical engineer (with further qualifications and study)
Electrical work is one of the more academically demanding trades. You will need to be comfortable with maths, calculations, and understanding regulations in detail.