The role of an electrician is key in Australia’s trade sector. Electricians with required qualifications are always in demand in the country.
In Australia, aspirants need to complete a 4-year apprenticeship program to become an electrician. This program issues a certificate upon completion of study at a technical trade school and completion on-the-job training.
Sound technical knowledge is important, but some key qualities are essential to become a successful electrician. By nurturing these qualities, you can advance your career and stay ahead of your competitors.
Top Qualities of a Successful Electrician
Electricians work in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to industrial, retail, and other commercial sectors. They also cater to the electrical requirements of residences.
On a daily basis, electricians have a range of functions to perform. They repair, restore and install electrical systems and devices, and handle a range of power tools while on the job.
Their work requires them to be knowledgeable of circuit designs, device controls, wiring blueprints, circuit stability, and power source integrations. Electricians may work on their own or as a team, to accomplish day-to-day objectives.
Given these functions, what are the qualities that can help electricians perform their job with greater efficiency and safety?
Communication Skills
Reasonably good communication is key to putting across the required message to relevant people.
As an electrician, you work with different stakeholders, including architects, builders, on-site working crew, facility managers, and others. This need for interactions with a range of professionals demands good communication skills.
With well-honed communication skills, electricians can convey their opinion, message, requirements, and conclusions, to stakeholders. Verbal and written communications are both important for an accurate statement of facts. Lack of clear communication can lead to misinterpretation of facts, which can sometimes be dangerous.
Due Respect for Safety
The job nature of an electrician is unpredictable. An electrician may be working on a simple short circuit problem one day. The next day, they may be high up on tall towers fixing open wires. While there is a sense of adventure in climbing trees, towers, and buildings, an electrician must have the prudence to exercise caution at all times.
As an electrician, following the discipline of safety is crucial for individual safety as well as the safety of others.
The best defence for an electrician is trade insurance. Comprehensive trade insurance covers electricians against the risk of injury, death, or property damage, claims by clients or third-parties. A well-structured insurance also covers an electrician’s tools in the event of loss, damage, or theft. Find out more about trade insurance.
Interest for Continuous Learning
Apart from the academic study required to become an electrician, an individual must be willing to constantly learn on the job. An electrician must make it his/ her responsibility to be up-to-date about industry developments. From changing safety rules to new inventions and changes, being aware of details increases the demand for electrician’s services.
Dependability
It is crucial for an electrician to be accessible and reliable. An electrician must first be available on call, for clients, at any time. Clients must be able to rely on the electrician to help them during emergencies.
From being punctual to delivering high-quality services, electricians must be polite and professional at all times, to be dependable. Clients experience complete peace of mind with such electricians.
Time Management
As with any other profession, time management is crucial for electricians too. They must be able to deliver solutions, be it a new installation or repair, within the agreed timeframe.
An expert electrician assesses a situation and gives a reasonable timeframe to resolve it. He/ she sticks to such timeframe. In case of unexpected delays, the electrician must inform the client of the same and convey another timeframe for completion.
Excellent Problem-Solving Capabilities
As an individual working on different projects, an electrician may find himself/ herself leading teams or managing clients. The electrician must be prepared to think on the feet whenever needed and be extremely resourceful for successful project completion.
As a great problem-solver, an electrician must be quick with problem assessments. Conviction in oneself as well as belief in the power of teamwork are crucial. The electrician must not let self-doubt or ego come in the way of problem-solving.
When faced with a critical challenge, the electrician must be able to weigh the choices available. He/ she must be ready to act on a solution that presents maximum potential and minimum risk.
Physical Strength
Good physical health is important to carry out day-to-day activities as an electrician. Electricians have to climb buildings, access wires, use tools and equipment, and navigate heights, to do their job. Good eyesight, hearing and hand-eye coordination are crucial to ensure safety on the premises.
Physical flexibility is essential for electricians working on construction projects. These people have to bend, stand, climb, pull, and assume different body positions as per need, to accomplish a job.
Good physical fitness makes it easier for them to excel at their job.
Determination
An electrician needs to be determined to continuously excel on the job and deliver results. Factors such as rude clients, rough weather, lazy team members and sometimes legal aspects, can turn depressing. But the electrician has to move on with the same zeal every day.
Honesty
An electrician must work with transparency to inspire trust in clients. From price quotes to work time estimates and deliveries, every aspect must be fulfilled in accordance with prior agreements.
Clients are quick to recognize a shady process and person, which not only damages an electrician’s reputation but also shuts down the business.
Conclusion
Successful electricians have a job for as long as they are willing to work. Electricians must nurture the above qualities to have a successful and memorable career. After all, a successful career is the best way to make use of your talents.
