what is an industrial electrician?
As an industrial electrician, you diagnose electrical failures during the manufacturing process. You use diagnostic equipment to identify and resolve the issues to minimise downtimes, and you require an in-depth understanding of electrical systems to repair any faults promptly. As an industrial electrician, it is important to understand blueprints and technical drawings of electrical systems and the electrical code specifications.
If a building needs to overhaul its electrical system, you install and test it to ensure it's safe and usable. You also install systems in brand-new buildings that don't have any wiring yet. If an industrial building has electrical faults, you fix the equipment and work out what the problem is. You provide year-round maintenance and repair services to keep everything in good working order.
As an industrial electrician, you work on large-scale electrical projects and complex electrical systems. For instance, you are likely to work in large electrical firms like power generation stations or solar energy production. Some industrial electricians also work in automotive industries like car manufacturing. Companies that rely on heavy machinery to manufacture goods hire industrial electricians to avoid downtimes caused by electrical system malfunctions. Therefore, you can work for any manufacturing or service industry.
Would working as an industrial electrician suit your safety skills and good vision? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive as an industrial electrician.
industrial electrician jobsaverage salary of an industrial electrician
The average salary for an industrial electrician in Canada is around $80,000 a year, or just over $37 an hour.
When you enter the market, you can expect a starting salary of around $53,000. With time and experience, you can earn over $105,000 a year. Bonuses, overtime and other elements go a long way to increasing your potential income.
what factors affect the salary of an industrial electrician?
Your level of experience and qualifications dictate your compensation package. Apprentices make the lowest salaries since they have the least experience and fewest qualifications. However, master industrial electricians negotiate higher pay due to their expertise and experience. The hours you work also affect your pay. For instance, working part-time attracts a lower salary than working full-time. Overtime rates also allow you to earn more since the hourly rates are higher.
Sometimes, your location influences your pay due to the fluctuating demands and cost of living. Working in a large city improves your salary prospects since employers consider the cost of living when calculating salaries.
types of industrial electricians
The types of industrial electricians depend on experience level, including:
- apprentice industrial electricians: as an apprentice industrial electrician, you work and attend training sessions to acquire knowledge in electrical systems. Most employers compensate you for your time, but you perform minimal supportive roles.
- journeyman industrial electricians: when you complete the apprenticeship programme, you become a journeyman. You perform electrical equipment repairs, maintenance and installation tasks based on your level of expertise. You follow a supervisor's instructions and ensure safety measures are adhered to in the workplace.
- master industrial electricians: when you log sufficient hours as a journeyman, you qualify to become a master electrician. Your job is to supervise various tasks and train journeymen in their duties. You can also open your own business as an electrician.
working as an industrial electrician
Working as an industrial electrician means taking on a lot of responsibility. However, it also means being part of a high-paying field with good job security. Here's what you should know about working as an industrial electrician:
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industrial electrician job description
Industrial electricians have an extensive list of responsibilities. This includes the following:
- installing new equipment: whenever a factory, plant or facility needs a new electrical system, they count on you to install and test the wiring to ensure everything works. This includes both new construction and older buildings in need of refurbishment.
- reading plans and blueprints: you rely on plans or blueprints to install new systems to their specifications. Additionally, being familiar with local electrical codes and regulations is crucial. You should be an expert in reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.
- troubleshooting equipment: if something goes wrong, it's your job to test the equipment and isolate the problem. Once you know the problem, you repair and test the equipment to ensure employees can use it safely.
- maintaining equipment: as an industrial electrician, you may be hired to perform routine checks on electrical systems. You check the equipment at frequent intervals to ensure it is safe and running correctly.
- repairing equipment: you may be able to repair the existing equipment, but sometimes you order new parts. Afterwards, you test the equipment and perform more repairs if it's still not working.
- writing reports: most facilities keep an equipment log, so everyone's on the same page. You write comprehensive reports when repairing, replacing or installing an electrical system. The facility uses these reports whenever they want to review their equipment's history or find out about past issues.
- working with a wide range of parts: you work with wires, conductors, conduits, generators, sensors, breakers, transformers and everything else that makes up the electrical system. Making a single mistake could be deadly, so you should be an expert in your field.
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work environment
Working as an industrial electrician is sometimes dangerous. You expose yourself to wires, conduits and other parts that carry live electricity. A mistake could cause a severe injury, so you should take every precaution while working. Some industrial electricians work outside in the cold or scorching heat, especially when the power is out due to inclement weather. Other electricians work indoors in heated or air-conditioned buildings. Sometimes, you stand, crouch or kneel for long periods. You also work at height if the job is inside a multi-story building.
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who are your colleagues?
Most industrial electricians work in factories and manufacturing plants, and their colleagues include building services engineers, electrical engineering technicians and security systems installers. You also work with electrical engineers, field engineers, technicians and facility managers, as well as other specialists that could include project engineers, factory managers, project managers and cost estimators.
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industrial electrician work schedule
Companies never know when they will need an industrial electrician. Sometimes, they schedule an equipment repair or installation ahead of time, but if their system goes down, they need repairs immediately. For this reason, industrial electricians work nights, weekends and holidays. Emergencies often come with overtime hours, so you'll receive more pay.
Industrial electricians frequently work longer than eight hours at a time, although you get an eight-hour shift if you're working on scheduled maintenance and repairs. Most companies have part-time and short-term contracts for industrial electricians, but you cannot work from home. If you're part-time or self-employed, your work schedule is flexible, but most electricians work at least 40 hours weekly.
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job outlook
Industrial electricians move from apprentice roles to experts in various electrical systems. Most progress from the master electrician role to maintenance supervisors or factory managers. If you want to specialise, you can become a maintenance or installation electrician. With additional training, you could move to engineer roles.
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advantages of finding an industrial electrician job through Randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
industrial electrician skills and education
To become an industrial electrician in Canada, a specific educational and training path is typically followed. Here are the steps and requirements:
- high school education: begin by completing your high school education or equivalent, which is a fundamental requirement for any trade or profession in Canada.
- pre-apprenticeship training: although not mandatory, completing a pre-apprenticeship program in electrical trades can be beneficial. These programs provide a foundational understanding of electrical systems and introduce you to the skills needed for the trade.
- apprenticeship training:
- the most common and formal path to become an industrial electrician is through an apprenticeship. This involves a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
- seek an apprenticeship with a certified electrical contractor or a union. You will work under the guidance of experienced electricians while attending trade school.
- apprenticeships typically last four to five years, during which you'll learn about electrical systems, blueprints, safety protocols, and other relevant topics.
- trade school or technical college:
- as part of your apprenticeship, you'll likely attend a trade school or technical college to receive formal education related to electrical theory, codes, and practices.
- this education is crucial to understanding the principles behind electrical work and to successfully complete your apprenticeship.
- certification and licensing:
- upon completing your apprenticeship and education, you may need to write an exam to obtain your Certificate of Qualification, also known as a journeyman's certificate. The requirements for certification can vary by province or territory.
- Some provinces may also require you to obtain a license to work as an electrician. Licensing requirements may include passing an exam and meeting specific criteria.
skills and competencies
Some of the skills that industrial electricians require include:
- physical stamina and dexterity: you do manual work that requires physical stamina and attention to detail. Apart from lifting heavy objects, you also climb ladders or scaffolding when repairing or inspecting equipment. Manual dexterity enables you to manage the detailed aspects of working with electrical systems.
- administrative skills: as an industrial electrician, you deal with a lot of paperwork, like writing reports and preparing maintenance schedules for various equipment. Organisational and administrative skills come in handy.
- caution: as an industrial electrician, you should be cautious when repairing industrial equipment to avoid accidents or injuries. Caution helps you adhere to safe working practices.
FAQs
FAQs about working as an industrial electrician
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what does an industrial electrician do?
As an industrial electrician, you install or repair electrical systems in factories and manufacturing plants. You also conduct preventive maintenance to improve efficiency.
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how long does it take to become an industrial electrician?
Generally, it takes about five years to complete your apprenticeship. You become an apprentice after training and before working as a journeyman. However, you require more years of experience before you apply to become a master industrial electrician.
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what do industrial electricians install?
Industrial electricians install equipment like breakers, wires and other components of an electrical system. You install new systems and renovate old ones when they start to malfunction. After installation, your employer might hire you for maintenance and repair work on the same system.
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is being an industrial electrician hard?
Becoming an industrial electrician isn't necessarily easy, but it offers a unique set of challenges. It's challenging work, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. You require extensive education and on-the-job training before you become a qualified electrician.
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what skills does an industrial electrician need?
An industrial electrician is flexible and adaptable to changing work practices. It is also important to be analytical when studying technical drawings or wiring plans. Want to learn more about working as an industrial electrician? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for an industrial electrician vacancy?
Finding a job near you as an industrial electrician is easy. Search our job offers. Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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