Electrical

Anything relating to, producing, or operated by electricity involves skilled people from the electrical industry.

The electrical industry is rapidly developing and is increasingly technology-based. It spans occupations across electro-technology, communications, computer systems, refrigeration and air conditioning, and security.

The sector impacts on every aspect of daily life and the services we use to from health, entertainment, information to domestic living, transport and communication.

According to the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA), in 2004 - 05 the electrical industry:

• Employed 29,500 people
• Earned $7.2 billion in revenue
• Fostered 2,165 individual electronics companies
• Exported $3.6 billion worth of electronics equipment.

This industry may appeal to people who enjoy problem-solving and diagnosing faults, have an eye for detail and methodical mindset, and like keeping up with the latest technologies.

SPOTLIGHT - What careers are there?

Electricians - install and fix essential items around our homes such as the hot water system and lights and also work in a range of high-tech environments in industrial, commercial and servicing.

Broadcast Technician - Telecommunications technicians install, operate, maintain and repair communication devices, working on radio and television transmitters, line communication cables, computers, as well as broadcasting networks and equipment. These specialists are employed by a variety of small, medium and large enterprises within the broadcast field.

Consumer Electronics - These tradesman install, maintain, diagnose faults and repair consumer audio-visual, business and medical equipment and much more.

Computer networking - This involves connecting computers together to form local and wide area networks, faxes, modems and other methods of data transmission.

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning - These mechanical specialists oversee all aspects of the design, development and operation of machinery for domestic, commercial and industrial uses. They are involved in installing, commissioning, maintaining, fault-finding and repairing refrigeration, air-conditioning components, equipment and systems.

TRAINING

According to a survey of recent graduates in the Electrical field practically all (99.5%) apprentices considered that they had wholly or partly achieved their main reason for undertaking training.

The most common job-benefits reported after training were:

• an increase in earnings (66.0%)
• got a job (39.7%)
• a promotion (or increased status at work) (27.3%).
  

The vast majority (99.5%) also considered their training either highly relevant or somewhat relevant to their current job after training.

WHERE DO PEOPLE IN THIS INDUSTRY WORK?

• Electrical service businesses
• Rental, staging and entertainment companies
• Electronics and Computer companies
• Data centres and technology integrators
  
• Smart Home integrators
• Retail establishments
• For themselves

SOURCES - AEEMA; Career Advice Australia; World Skills Australia 2005/06 Skill Up booklet; EE Careers
NCVER – Training and Skills in the electrical and communications industry NCVER Student Outcomes Survey, 2004.