what is an electrical technician?
As an electrical technician, you install or maintain electrical systems in residential and commercial settings. You work with various equipment, including switches, transformers, generators and circuit breakers. You also resolve issues and repair electrical systems to ensure they work properly. For instance, you could check for faulty wiring or short circuits in electrical systems.
Electrical technicians often work with electrical engineers to create engineering plans for systems and perform supporting roles. You ensure effective spare parts management and supervise project improvement processes as an electrical technician.
Most electrical technicians work in the maintenance department of a company and conduct field repairs on electrical, mechanical and instrumentation systems. During maintenance duties, you coordinate shutdowns to reduce downtimes and system failure rates. As well as improving maintenance standards, you lead efforts in equipment standardisation by carrying out overhauls to ensure best practices within the plant. In manufacturing, an electrical technician performs process improvements and enhances production safety by ensuring the proper functioning of electrical systems.
view rolesaverage salary of an electrical technician
Entry level electrical technicians can earn between $22 to $27 an hour whilst senior electrical technicians can earn between $34 - $43 per hour.
what affects the salary of an electrical technician?
The level of education and experience usually make a difference in remuneration packages. You are likely to earn more than an electrical technician with minimal qualifications when you have extensive qualifications and skills. You earn a lower wage when you have entry-level experience, but electrical technicians with over five years of experience can negotiate higher wages.
types of electrical technicians
The types of electrical technicians depend on the level of expertise and licencing. To become an electrical technician, you require intense on-the-job training to learn the ropes. The more hours of supervised training you complete, the higher your qualifications. When you master the necessary techniques, you can work independently.
- apprentice electrical technician: as an apprentice electrical technician, you complete a four-year training programme and work under supervision as you gain hands-on experience in the role.
- journeyman electrical technician: as a journeyman electrical technician, you have at least two years of work experience and extensive knowledge of installing and maintaining electrical systems. You also tackle electrical jobs without supervision.
- master electrical technician: as a master electrical technician, you supervise other electrical technicians. You work independently, and you are certified to open your own business.
working as an electrical technician
Working as an electrical technician requires knowledge of reading blueprints and designing electrical systems. Let's explore the role's specific tasks, work environment and career outlook.
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duties and responsibilities
Specific tasks vary with industry and specialisation. However, some standard duties of an electrical technician include:
- wiring and installing junction and outlet boxes: you assist with street lighting and fixing problems in lighting systems. Your job may involve laying wires or connecting them to outlet boxes, circuit breakers or lighting fixtures to ensure they work properly. You also perform wiring duties if you work for an internet provider or cable company. Your tasks could include laying fibre optics and wires to supply internet connection to homes and commercial buildings.
- troubleshooting and repairing electrical equipment: you maintain complex electrical equipment and machinery, using diagnostic tools to identify electrical problems in a system and find solutions. Your knowledge of how to troubleshoot various electrical issues in electrical wiring and systems enables you to do this.
- maintaining electrical systems: you participate in preventive and planned maintenance to ensure electrical equipment or systems are in excellent condition. Your job is to create the maintenance procedures for electrical systems. For instance, you determine the best times for shutdowns to reduce downtimes during maintenance. You also escalate issues that require additional expertise from electrical engineers.
- reading electrical blueprints: you read and interpret electrical blueprints for various systems and buildings. Electrical blueprints are complex since they show the intended wiring and connections that comply with electrical codes and local laws. The blueprints also specify the amount of power and wiring in every part of the electrical system, including electrical components like lighting fixtures and plug outlets.
- following electrical codes and regulations: being conversant with the local electrical codes and regulations is crucial for an electrical technician. Regulations include minimum standards for safe electrical design, installation and inspection. It is also important to stay updated on changes to any regulations to ensure safety.
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work environment
You work in various settings as an electrical technician, from residential to commercial buildings. You also work for technology or telecommunications companies and maintain electrical systems in the mining and manufacturing industries, like industrial electricians and HVAC technicians. That means your work settings are as diverse as the companies you work for. You can work in an office during the planning stages to support electrical engineers. If your electrical systems are indoors, you work in climate-controlled environments. Some electrical technicians work outdoors installing electrical systems or laying wires for street lighting and internet services.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include electrical estimators, electricians, maintenance technicians and site managers. You might also be working close to electrical engineers, industrial technicians, and maintenance supervisors, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, labourers, plumbers, welders, and controls technicians.
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work schedule
The typical work schedule for electrical technicians is 40 to 42 hours a week when you work full-time. The work week may extend to weekends to meet deadlines or deal with emergencies. You will likely work in shifts in companies that operate around the clock. If you work for a maintenance company, you travel to various locations to fix electrical systems.
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job outlook
As an electrical technician, you perform installation and maintenance work. That means you could specialise in your area of interest and move into roles like electrical engineering or become a maintenance engineer. Some electrical technicians move into design work or supervisory jobs like facilities manager or building service engineer.
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advantages of finding an electrical technician job through randstad
Finding your electrical technician job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an electrical technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
To become an electrical engineering technician you need to complete a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering – Electrical (Level 6).
work experience: you require extensive work experience to work unsupervised. You can gain experience through apprenticeship or as a journeyman. Entry-level roles allow you to shadow experienced electrical technicians and learn from them. Advanced diploma opportunities also improve your career prospects in the role.
skills and competencies
Some of the skills and competencies expected of an electrical technician include:
- problem-solving skills: as an electrical technician, you design electrical systems and calibrate them to ensure they function as expected. You require effective problem-solving skills to diagnose problems in electrical components and devise creative solutions to resolve them. Problem-solving skills make you think outside the box and troubleshoot electrical problems.
- willingness to learn: it is important to cultivate your knowledge of physics and mathematics to develop your practical skills. Your willingness to learn new skills helps you stay updated on the latest technologies and improve the quality of your work. Regularly improving your skills also helps you maintain your competitive advantage in the industry.
- diagnostic skills: you won't always find the source of an electrical problem immediately. Sometimes, you identify the problem by conducting tests before you begin any repairs. You require superb diagnostic skills to service equipment effectively in conventional and unconventional ways.
- business knowledge: whether you become an independent contractor or work for an established company, you need good time management and customer service skills.
- communication skills: you explain problems and solutions to people who may not understand all aspects of electrical systems, which requires good communication skills. These skills also help you train your apprentices after you're promoted.
- excellent colour vision: to troubleshoot most electrical systems, you must identify wires by colour to avoid accidents. Hence, you require excellent colour vision when you are designing electrical components.
FAQs about working as an electrical technician
Here are the most asked questions about working as an electrical technician:
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what is the role of an electrical technician?
As an electrical technician, you construct, install, test and repair electrical systems equipment and components. You ensure the electrical parts receive the power to function properly. You are responsible for installing electronic components based on the detailed specifications. You also test the functionality of the electrical components to ensure safety.
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where does an electrical technician work?
As an electrical technician, you work in diverse industries that deal with developing and installing electrical components. Some electrical engineering technicians work in the automotive, mining or manufacturing sectors assisting with installing electrical components. You can also work in energy industries and power generation plants dealing with repairs and maintenance tasks.
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how much does an electrical engineering technician earn in New Zealand?
Entry level electrical technicians can earn between $22 to $27 an hour whilst senior electrical technicians can earn between $34 - $43 per hour.
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what is the difference between an electrical engineering technician and an electrician?
An electrical technician is a specialised professional with knowledge of working with complex machines and electrical systems. An electrical technician constructs and maintains electrical systems in offices, factories or fields. You rely on the schematics of a device to develop electrical systems and calibrate them. On the other hand, an electrician works on electrical equipment exclusively in the field. They are not involved in the design but can install and repair systems using blueprints.
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is electrical technician a good career in New Zealand?
Becoming an electrical technician is a promising career in New Zealand that improves your job prospects. You will find work opportunities in the mining, manufacturing and energy sectors. You can also develop your skills and become an electrical engineer.
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how do I apply for an electrical technician vacancy?
Applying for an electrical technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our electrical technician job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
