If you have a passion for learning about electricity and enjoy working with your hands then a career as an Electrician could be for you. Read on to find out exactly what it takes to become an electrician in South Africa.
Career Overview: Electrician
From switching the lights on at your house to switching your computer on at school or at work, all the way to powering plant stations – everyone uses electricity in one way or another but we don’t know everything there is to know about electrical connections and how to fix any electrical problems that may come up.
That is where electricians come in—they know cables and connections better than the average person.
Electricians install, test, maintain and modify electrical equipment, wiring and control systems. It is key for electricians to be adaptable and flexible as these skills are put to regular use in this career.
Required School Subjects
You will need to have taken the following subjects at high school:
- Pure Mathematics
- English
Recommended subjects:
- Physical Science (this could be a required subject at some institutions)
Institution and APS
The following institutions are highly recommended for further studies:
There is no APS requirement needed in order to become an electrician; however, a minimum pass of a Level 4 in mathematics is needed. It is key that you check with the institution of choice for further details about the requirements for the programmes offered.
Required Qualification/s
Depending on an electrician’s experience and licensing, electricians are classified into three categories:
An electrician can register across these three specific categories, each one allowing for them to work on different phases of installation with regard to electricity.
Each of these phases will impact which documentation you hand into the Department of Labour and which qualifications and testing you will undergo.
To become a qualified electrician in South Africa, you have practical, theoretical, and integrated study options available to you. Read more about the requirements for installation electricians and master installation electricians.
You will be able to train at one of the abovementioned institutions and get qualified.
Here is more detail on the programmes you will be able to complete at these institutions:
- National Certificate: N3 Electrical Studies
- Applicants must be 16 years and older and able to read and write in English.
- Applicants must have Grade 9 (Std. 7) with Mathematics and Physical Science.
- The programme duration is 1 year minimum.
- Upon successful completion of your required examinations for each subject, you will be awarded your National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies from the Department of Higher Education and Training
- College SA offers Electrical Courses from N1 to N3
- Electrical N1:
The N1 foundation level is the first in a 3-level engineering programme. In N1 you will learn the mathematics, science and drawing skills that form the basis of all engineering trades.
- Electrical N2:
- Entry Requirements: Successful completion of the electrical N1 certificate course
- National Qualification – N2 (SAQA ID: 67375 (N2)
- Electrical N3:
- Entry Requirements: Successful completion of the electrical N2 certificate course
- National Qualification – N3 (SAQA ID: 67491 (N3)
- Electrical N1:
Required Skills
You will need to have the following skills to succeed as an electrician:
- Communication Skills
- Problem-solving Skills
- Detail Oriented
- Self-motivation and Resilience
- Knowledgeable
- Analytical Skills
- Initiative
- Interpersonal Skills
- Customer Service
- Good Physical Health
Where You Can Work as an Electrician in South Africa
There is a range of environments that you can work in. Here are some of the possibilities:
- Housing Development Organisations
- Commercial Organisations
- Industrial Organisations
- Institutional Organisations
Electrician Working Hours
Working hours are not standard for all electricians, however most work 40-hours a week with overtime when required. In some cases, it is common to find an electrician working in the evening or over the weekends, depending on whether they are contractors for themselves or if they work for an organisation.
Expected Salary for an Electrician
Currently, the average monthly salary for an electrician is R17,987. Experience and qualifications are factors that influence what the salary will be, as well as how often you work.
Electrician Role and What to Expect
Here are a few things you can expect from a career as an electrician:
- The career is physically demanding and requires maintaining a healthy mind and body.
- Traveling is a common occurrence in this line of work, depending on the organisation you work for, travelling could include travelling nationally or internationally.
- There is room for growth within this career, with some electricians eventually becoming managers.
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