Find Out More – Electrician
Course: Electrician
Trade Title: Electrician
OFO No: 671101
Accreditation Body: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
What is an Electrician?
An Electrician is trained and qualified to install, operate, repair, upgrade and service various electrical systems.
These systems can include wiring, specialized electrical equipment and different fixtures. Electricians need to work within relevant codes and regulations.
Some Electricians may also install and service street lights, intercom systems and various control systems. They work in homes, complexes, housing developments, large skyscrapers, factories, power stations etc.
Electricians can specialize in different areas, namely:
- Regular Electrician
- Engineering Electrician
- Construction Electrician
- Mining Electrician
- Auto Electrician
- Aircraft Electrician
What does an Electrician do?
- designs layouts based on job specifications and local codes
- reads building plans to understand electrical circuits
- studies electrical configurations
- orders supplies
- tests and inspects circuits and systems using specialized equipment
- installs complex electrical equipment
- upgrades existing systems
- fixes wires and circuits
- maintains and services electrical systems
- trouble-shoots – diagnose and find solutions
- works with various electrical equipment and tools
- drives from one site to another
- makes sure of safety at all times
- works according to government regulations
Personal Qualities Required:
- interested in electricity
- physically fit and agile
- observant
- responsible
- a person with an eye for detail
- a person with good colour vision
- good with your hands
- a person with excellent judgement
- safety conscious
- self-motivated
How to become an Electrician?
Entry Requirements:
- 16 years of age and
- grade 10 (Standard 8) or
- grade 11 (Standard 9) or Matric (Standard 10) with Maths and Science would be preferred and
- you will need to obtain an N2 qualification. If you have passed grade 12 with a science and maths pass rate of more than 40%, you will only need to write and pass 2 of the 4 subjects (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification. If you have not passed the grade 12 science and maths exam, then you would need to enrol for all 4 subjects (Maths, Engineering Science, Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.
Training Requirements:
- You will need to obtain institutional learning at a training institution like Artisan Training Institute, in order for all your modules to be performed in the presence of and signed off by a registered Training Officer as competent. All modules passed will be signed off in your Logbook by the Training Officer.
- Your Phase I would typically last around 15 weeks, after which you would need to obtain experiential (on-the-job) training for a period of 9 months, working under supervision of a registered Artisan at an accredited workplace. The Artisan will sign off all the relevant workplace modules performed on the job.
- Your Phase II will commence thereafter for a period of 12 weeks. Once again you would need to continue your on-the-job training as mentioned above for another period of 9 months.
- Once all the relevant modules in both your Off-the-Job Logbook (training institute) and On-the-Job Logbook have been successfully completed and signed off, you will be able to apply to write the Trade Test.
- Upon the successful demonstration to the QCTO that all the requirements for writing the Trade Test have been met, will your Trade Test date be issued.
- Your Phase III will prepare you for the Trade Test and will last for up to 8 weeks.
Electrician Phase 1
This course counts towards a credited Electrician Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.
The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.
Electrician Phase 2
This course counts towards a credited Electrician Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.
The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.