electrician job description

Installing wiring, lighting systems, and control systems: Nowadays, there is probably no building left without electricity. Even the garden shed has a light. As an electrician, you install the wiring systems for regulating lighting, communication, and power supply. Maintaining wiring and electrical systems: An electrician maintains the wiring systems in existing buildings. This means you must trace problems in the wiring and repair or replace defective wires. Reading blueprints and technical diagrams: You must be able to read blueprints and technical diagrams to determine the location of circuits and sockets. Understanding technical drawings is important when repairing industrial machinery or maintaining wiring systems in buildings. Planning and preparing work orders or instructions: In industrial environments, you often work as an electrician in a team. In this case, regular briefings are important. You prepare work orders based on blueprints and technical drawings during the installation or maintenance process and communicate this with your colleagues. Performing all safety procedures: Electrical work is dangerous and can cause serious accidents, both during the job and afterwards if something was not performed correctly. Before starting work, you must ensure safety measures are in place. For example, test equipment for working at height and ensure employees have the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job.

Your work environment strongly depends on the work you do, and the job of an electrician is diverse. Wire installers usually work via a contractor or an internal team, depending on the size of the company and the amount of work. How you specialise largely determines where you end up as an electrician. There are electricians who always work indoors, for example, in a production environment or residential construction. You may have to climb ladders and carry heavy equipment to an outdoor construction site. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as rubber insulating sleeves and gloves, helmets, and safety shoes, is very important. Especially when you work in large organisations where many people work together in one place.

who are your colleagues?

Who your colleagues will be strongly depends on the environment you will work in. If you choose industrial electronics, you will work closely with electro-mechanical specialists and the workers responsible for production. If you choose a job in logistics electronics, an auto mechanic will be your closest colleague. Also, be sure to look at the skills of a CAD drafter or the technical product designer in specialised companies.

An electrician usually works between 30 and 40 hours per week. In certain circumstances, overtime may be necessary, for example, if the deadline for the completion of a project is approaching. There are also part-time opportunities, or you can work on a project basis if you are looking for a challenge and variety. Shift work may also be an option, or weekend work, if the company you work for is open then. Repair technicians may also be called out for temporary defects.

career progression opportunities as an electrician

Initially, gaining experience is important as an electrician. Therefore, take the time to get to know your job completely, down to the smallest detail. Once you have fully mastered your job, you can choose to progress into a more managerial or supervisory role. Rather than specific vertical growth, we see that electricians often work broadly. You can specialise in multiple areas and gain knowledge about all aspects of electricity. This includes new and challenging sectors such as the installation of green energy like solar panels and wind turbines.

benefits of working for randstad as an electrician

Working through Randstad offers you a wide range of benefits. Getting paid weekly. Flexibility. Always having a contact person you can rely on and ask for help. Many training opportunities. A selection of jobs near you.

what is the hourly rate of an electrician?

An employed electrician earns an average of 15 to 16 euros per hour. However, it depends on your experience and specialisation; the more you specialise, the more you earn. An experienced electrician in a specialised environment certainly earns 22 euros per hour.

how do I become an electrician?

A good secondary technical or vocational training course in electronics is the first step towards a job as an electrician. You can specialise further with a seventh year of industrial electronics or gain experience on the job.

is working as an electrician difficult?

The electrician job carries a lot of responsibility. One small mistake can have major consequences for the safety of products, buildings, and even people. If you are driven and precise, you are certainly capable of becoming an electrician, especially if you always take responsibility.

what does an electrician do?

As an electrician, you are responsible for installing the electronics in appliances, vehicles, buildings, or machines. You know everything about wiring, voltage, and electrical currents. Electricians are employed in every sector. It is therefore a broad job with various specialisations.

how do I find a job as an electrician?

Do you want to start working as an electrician? Then your first step is: create a Randstad profile . After that, immediately check out our electrician jobs . Found something nice? Then send us your CV. Haven't found the right thing? Activate the job alert and receive electrician jobs as soon as they become available.

Working as an electrician: your salary, duties and career opportunities

what is an electrician?

An electrician is a specialist who works on electrical components and wiring for buildings or industrial applications and structures. For safety reasons, it is essential to prevent damage due to short circuits or poor wiring. Errors in the electrical installation can lead to injury, fire, and other serious consequences. For this role, it is therefore important that you are aware of all safety measures and possess good mathematical and mechanical skills. Moreover, knowledge about the latest techniques, materials used, and tools is indispensable.

An electrician usually follows a technical or vocational training course at secondary school. Specialisation is possible through a seventh year in industrial electricity. Those who combine a part-time learning path in electronics with workplace learning can also start working as an electrician. The so-called 'leercontract' (apprenticeship/training contract) prepares you to work as an electrician later on.

With the necessary experience as an electrician, you may progress from an executive role to a supervisory one. However, it is important to first gather several years of in-depth knowledge about installing electricity. It is, after all, a job where safety and expertise are extremely important. Expect that, as an electrician, you will need three to six years to know all the ins and outs of the trade thoroughly. So, be sure to take the time to build your career and learn a lot during this job, where safety is paramount.

Job security is guaranteed for electricians to install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. Additionally, some electricians study further and work on specialised electrical systems, such as those in ships, aircraft, or other mobile constructions.

Data storage, fast servers, and computers are growing technologies, and electricians also find work on data and cable lines. There are many vacancies due to growth in the construction sector and places becoming available due to, among other things, retirement.

Does working as an electrician suit your aptitude and interest in mechanics and knowledge of electrical components? Then read on to find out what skills and qualifications you need to fulfil a role as an electrician.

electrician jobs

1

electrician salary.

According to information found on Loonwijzer, a starting installer of electrical equipment in Belgium earns an average of between 13.50 and 15 euros per hour. An experienced electrician can quickly expect 19 to 22 euros per hour. Bear in mind that you must be able to demonstrate three to five years of experience for a higher salary.

Why is there such a large difference between the salary of a less experienced and a more experienced electrician? This is because it is a job where you learn a great deal, and with a lot of knowledge, you can quickly look forward to a high remuneration. Do you have the ambition to grow quickly and earn a good living as an electrician? Then try to specialise by following extra training courses or asking for additional challenges in your job. In certain sectors with complex electrical systems, a specialised electrician is highly sought after, and you will quickly earn at the upper end of the pay scale.

Those who opt for shift work, weekend work, and night work may also receive an extra allowance. This depends on the type of company you work for and is always negotiable during your application.

2

types of electricians.

The work of an electrician is broad, but you often specialise in a certain direction. You will always start your career in an executive role. Over the years, you will usually gain extra knowledge and experience, which allows you to move into a position as a team leader or supervisor.

We distinguish five major types of work for an electrician:

Electrical systems installer: As an installer, you implement and lay wiring and equipment. You install wires for commercial buildings or homes and connect them to transformers and circuit breakers. You also ensure that the connections are safe.
Linesman/climber: As a linesman, you are responsible for power lines, both above and below ground. You repair and install power lines. You also check meters to ensure they are working properly. You climb electricity poles and check lines running from power plants to homes and businesses.
Auto industry electrician: Your work involves installing ignition systems, heating and air conditioning systems, and anti-lock brakes to ensure they work correctly. Cars are becoming increasingly electronic, so this type of job is gaining popularity.
Industrial electrician: You ensure that electrical components in a production company work properly. You carry out installation and maintenance tasks. This work is highly specialised. You get to know the machinery of a very specific sector well.
Electrical maintenance worker: This job is very all-round. As an electrical maintenance worker, you carry out repairs in all types of environments. This can be in ordinary homes, but also for industrial applications. You are the point of contact for all small and large repairs and inspection work.

Three colleagues having a laugh during a lunch break while sitting on a pile of wood.

3

working as an electrician.

Most people know the basic principles of working as an electrician. However, many do not know that it is a physically demanding job. If you are looking for a job where you can be active all day and are prepared to work hard, then this is a good choice.

electrician job description
- Installing wiring, lighting systems, and control systems: Nowadays, there is probably no building left without electricity. Even the garden shed has a light. As an electrician, you install the wiring systems for regulating lighting, communication, and power supply.
- Maintaining wiring and electrical systems: An electrician maintains the wiring systems in existing buildings. This means you must trace problems in the wiring and repair or replace defective wires.
- Reading blueprints and technical diagrams: You must be able to read blueprints and technical diagrams to determine the location of circuits and sockets. Understanding technical drawings is important when repairing industrial machinery or maintaining wiring systems in buildings.
- Planning and preparing work orders or instructions: In industrial environments, you often work as an electrician in a team. In this case, regular briefings are important. You prepare work orders based on blueprints and technical drawings during the installation or maintenance process and communicate this with your colleagues.
- Performing all safety procedures: Electrical work is dangerous and can cause serious accidents, both during the job and afterwards if something was not performed correctly. Before starting work, you must ensure safety measures are in place. For example, test equipment for working at height and ensure employees have the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job.
work environment

Your work environment strongly depends on the work you do, and the job of an electrician is diverse. Wire installers usually work via a contractor or an internal team, depending on the size of the company and the amount of work. How you specialise largely determines where you end up as an electrician.

There are electricians who always work indoors, for example, in a production environment or residential construction. You may have to climb ladders and carry heavy equipment to an outdoor construction site. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as rubber insulating sleeves and gloves, helmets, and safety shoes, is very important. Especially when you work in large organisations where many people work together in one place.
who are your colleagues?

Who your colleagues will be strongly depends on the environment you will work in. If you choose industrial electronics, you will work closely with electro-mechanical specialists and the workers responsible for production. If you choose a job in logistics electronics, an auto mechanic will be your closest colleague. Also, be sure to look at the skills of a CAD drafter or the technical product designer in specialised companies.
work schedule

An electrician usually works between 30 and 40 hours per week. In certain circumstances, overtime may be necessary, for example, if the deadline for the completion of a project is approaching. There are also part-time opportunities, or you can work on a project basis if you are looking for a challenge and variety. Shift work may also be an option, or weekend work, if the company you work for is open then. Repair technicians may also be called out for temporary defects.
career progression opportunities as an electrician

Initially, gaining experience is important as an electrician. Therefore, take the time to get to know your job completely, down to the smallest detail. Once you have fully mastered your job, you can choose to progress into a more managerial or supervisory role.

Rather than specific vertical growth, we see that electricians often work broadly. You can specialise in multiple areas and gain knowledge about all aspects of electricity. This includes new and challenging sectors such as the installation of green energy like solar panels and wind turbines.
benefits of working for randstad as an electrician
Working through Randstad offers you a wide range of benefits.
- Getting paid weekly.
- Flexibility.
- Always having a contact person you can rely on and ask for help.
- Many training opportunities.
- A selection of jobs near you.

4

training and skills.

Training.

Some ways to become an electrician:

A course in technical secondary education or a vocational training course is necessary for those who want to work as an electrician. Naturally, you choose a specialism in electronics. A seventh specialisation year is certainly useful for those who want to work in industry.

Have you followed a path where you attended classes part-time and gained experience in a workplace part-time? Then you have completed the so-called 'leercontract' (apprenticeship/training contract). Especially if you did this in a specialism where you studied electronics, you can certainly start working as an electrician in a company. The experience you gained is a plus.

Electrician skills and qualities.

Technical knowledge: Naturally, good knowledge of electronics is important if you want to perform the job of an electrician. Being aware of the risks, having good mathematical knowledge, and knowing which materials and products to use are just a few technical skills you need in your job.
Team player: Very often, as an electrician, you end up in a team. You work with many colleagues, each with their own specialism, for one large project or one company. You become part of a hierarchical structure in which you can certainly grow.
Problem-solving skills: As an electrician, you must be able to think quickly and formulate a solution for problems that arise. You avoid worse damage or bigger problems by thinking problem-solvingly (i.e. having good problem-solving skills). This skill naturally grows with your experience.
Good physical condition: Because you often carry ladders, have to manoeuvre under, above, and around machines, and lift heavy materials, your physical health is important as an electrician

5

FAQs.

here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an electrician.

what is the hourly rate of an electrician?

An employed electrician earns an average of 15 to 16 euros per hour. However, it depends on your experience and specialisation; the more you specialise, the more you earn. An experienced electrician in a specialised environment certainly earns 22 euros per hour.
how do I become an electrician?

A good secondary technical or vocational training course in electronics is the first step towards a job as an electrician. You can specialise further with a seventh year of industrial electronics or gain experience on the job.
is working as an electrician difficult?

The electrician job carries a lot of responsibility. One small mistake can have major consequences for the safety of products, buildings, and even people. If you are driven and precise, you are certainly capable of becoming an electrician, especially if you always take responsibility.
what does an electrician do?

As an electrician, you are responsible for installing the electronics in appliances, vehicles, buildings, or machines. You know everything about wiring, voltage, and electrical currents. Electricians are employed in every sector. It is therefore a broad job with various specialisations.
how do I find a job as an electrician?

Do you want to start working as an electrician? Then your first step is: create a Randstad profile. After that, immediately check out our electrician jobs. Found something nice? Then send us your CV. Haven't found the right thing? Activate the job alert and receive electrician jobs as soon as they become available.

electrician.