There will always be a demand for a qualified and skilled electrical contractor. Electricity forms the framework of seamless functioning of a house or commercial space, and to ensure uninterrupted performance of all the electrical components, one needs to hire the best electrician.
These are skilled and trained tradesmen who know all about electrical work. They know how to do the wiring, repair work, and ensure that every electrical component is working safely. There is a growing demand for electrical contractors in Australia. If want to hire a successful electrical contractor, then there are certain key attributes that they need to have. Here are a few of them:
- Knowledge about the electrical circuit and wiring
- Time management
- License and registration
- Training
- Good communication skills
Of all these aspects, licensing and registration are something that you must not miss. Here is a brief guide on how they become a licensed electrical contractor.
They must know that the licensing process in this field follows a progression based on qualification, experience, and passage of exams. Most of the states in Australia have three stages of licensing for an electrical contractor. :
Electrician Apprentice
It is a blend of classroom learning and on-the-job training. There are a few parameters that one needs to qualify to hold this license:
- They must be 18 years and above
- They must have a high school diploma
- Pass an aptitude test
- Clear the interview
Once they get this license, you can join the apprenticeship program, but the apprentice can perform only a limited task. They work under the supervision of a journeyman or master electrical contractor. Here is where they collect all their skills from.
Journeyman Electrician
To become a journeyman, one must complete some basic educational qualifications and have experience. One needs to complete 8000 hours of work to qualify for the journeyman exam. In some states in Australia, classroom hours are considered a part of the experience requirement. With this license, they can operate independently. The trainers also supervise the work of apprentices.
Master Electrician
To hold this license, one must meet additional experience and exam requirements. They supervise the world of a junior electrical worker. These are highly paid professionals as they have accurate knowledge and are classified as experts in this field.
How to Get the Licence?
As we have discussed above, you are eligible for a license when you have the necessary education and experience. You can fill the application for licensure with the state board of electrical examiners. You would need the following for the application:
- Application fee
- Proof of experience
- Certification of completion of an apprenticeship
- Proof of liability insurance
- Employment record
- Photo of the applicant
After this application gets approval, the applicant has to follow the board insertion regarding the exams. Once you have cleared the exam, you will get a license via mail.
Reciprocal License
Another aspect of licensing for the electrical contractor is reciprocal license. Many electrical contractors must work on projects in different states. And for this, they need to obtain a license from each state where they want to work. There is a provision of the reciprocal agreement in which they accept the license issued by some states in Australia. The requirement of the reciprocal license may vary. You might be required to produce proof of experience followed by taking the exam and in some states. All you must do is to pay the fee and submit the application form.
License Renewal
The license which the electrical contractor has is annual or biannual. Based on the type of license, one needs to renew as it gets over. While hiring an electrical contractor, most of the customers will cross-check the authenticity, and so, they must renew it with time. People prefer hiring licensed workers for trusting them with their safety.
Now, this was the basic information about the different types of license which an electrical contractor needs to apply for. Make sure that you don’t skip it, as most of the clients now demand a skilled and licensed electrician. It is the best career option that you can opt for. To start you, trainer, right away.
