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Electrician

Kaimahi Hiko

Electricians test, install, maintain and repair electrical systems and equipment.

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Secondary education

You need NCEA Level 2 to do the study or training for this job.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills.

These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the amount of time it takes to complete it.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for electricians includes construction or engineering work.

What you will do

Electricians may do some or all of the following:

  • interpret electrical information on diagrams and plans
  • check for errors in diagrams and plans
  • install electrical wiring and equipment
  • repair and replace electrical wiring, parts and equipment
  • safety-test work
  • keep records of problems they find, and the work they do
  • prepare job and other quotes, or provide information for quotes. 

Skills and knowledge

Electricians need to have knowledge of:

  • electrical theory, laws, codes, and standards of practice
  • how to install electrical wiring and fixtures
  • how to draw wiring diagrams and floor plans
  • basic maths and physics
  • safety procedures and first aid.

Self-employed electricians must also have business skills.

Pay

Electricians usually earn

$31-$51

per hour

Electricians can earn

$23-$63

per hour

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as an electrician are good due to a shortage of workers.
Length of training
3-4
years of training required.

Industry

Construction

Electricians test, install, maintain and repair electrical systems and equipment.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

You need to do an apprenticeship and get a qualification to become an electrician.

You need:

  • to do an apprenticeship and get a New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4) OR Electrical Trade (Electricity Supply and General Electrical) (Level 4) or similar
  • a Trainee Limited Certificate from the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

You also need to be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

You may need to:

  • have a driver's licence
  • have access to a car to get to worksites
  • pass a drug test.

High-voltage power training

Grid Skills (part of Transpower) trains people to work with high-voltage power, for example, in substations.

This training takes up to two years and can be done by apprentices or qualified electricians.

Chances of getting a job

Construction boom and worker shortages drive demand for electricians

High demand for qualified electricians is expected to continue due to:

  • increased residential and commercial construction, especially in wealthy areas with high population growth
  • an ageing workforce
  • low numbers of school leavers entering electrical apprenticeships
  • the need for electricians who know how to work with new technologies.

According to the Census, 30,000 electrical workers were employed in New Zealand in 2018.

Electrician on skill shortage list

Electrician appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled electricians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Types of employers varied

Electricians may work for:

  • power-generation companies
  • Transpower on the high-voltage national grid.

They may be self-employed and work for contracting businesses or run their own business.

Find out more about training

ATT
0800 187 878 - info@att.org.nz - www.att.org.nz
The Electrical Training Company (ETCO)
0800 275 3826 -info@etco.co.nz - www.etco.co.nz
Te Pūkenga
0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT) - https://earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Electricians may progress to:

  • project managers
  • consultants at building construction companies or engineering firms
  • site supervisors.

With further training they may progress to:

  • electrical inspectors
  • electrical engineering technicians
  • electrical engineers.

Electricians may specialise in:

  • low-voltage electrical work on houses, and commercial or industrial buildings
  • high-voltage electrical work (over 1000 volts) on power stations, substations and other sites.

Working conditions

Electricians:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may work weekends, public holidays, or be on call
  • may work at construction sites or in buildings, power generation stations or substations
  • may work at heights and in enclosed, noisy, dirty, dusty, or hazardous conditions
  • travel to local worksites.

Physical Requirements

Electricians need to:

  • have normal colour vision, to identify different-coloured cables
  • be reasonably fit, healthy and strong, as the work involves climbing and lifting
  • be comfortable working in confined spaces and at heights, as they may need to crawl through tight spaces under buildings and above ceilings.

Useful personal qualities

Electricians need to be:

  • accurate and methodical
  • practical and logical
  • good communicators
  • able to work well alone or in a team
  • safety-conscious
  • good at problem solving.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Construction

Electricians test, install, maintain and repair electrical systems and equipment.

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