Electricians (Special Class)

ANZSCO ID 341112

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
90
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
95%
Female Share
0%
Average age
39

Summary

Electricians (Special Class) service and repair intricate and complex electrical and electronic circuitry.

Tasks

  • Examines blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequence and methods of operation.

  • Measures and lays out insulation reference points.

  • Selects, cuts and connects wire and cable to terminals and connectors.

  • Uses electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults.

  • Repairs and replaces faulty wiring and defective parts.

  • Positions and installs electrical switchboards.

  • Connects electrical systems to power supply.

  • Tests continuity of circuit.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Sedentary
  • Light
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Electricians, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 95% of people employed as Electricians (Special Class) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 29 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 51 hours per week in their main job. This is 7 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.


Industries

Main industries

1
Construction
31.8%
2
Manufacturing
21.2%
3
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
11.8%
4
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
11.8%
5
Other industries
12.9%

Regions

Employment across Australia


Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
39
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
0%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Electricians (Special Class) is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Electricians (Special Class) All Jobs Average

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

A certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) is usually needed to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology VET training pathways.

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Electricians who have good people skills, are reliable and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 57%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 52%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 52%

    Installation

    Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.

  • 52%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 50%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 50%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 50%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 50%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 48%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 46%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 46%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 46%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 46%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 45%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 45%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 45%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 78%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 73%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 61%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 57%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 54%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 51%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 49%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 48%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 45%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 43%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 43%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 42%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 41%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 34%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 34%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 28%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 25%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 25%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 25%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 20%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 59%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 57%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 57%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 57%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 57%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 55%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 55%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 54%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 52%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 52%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 50%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 48%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 46%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 46%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 46%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 46%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 45%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 45%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 73%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 69%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 66%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 65%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 62%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 60%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 59%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 58%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 57%

    Working with electronic equipment

    Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.

  • 56%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 56%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 55%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 53%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 53%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 51%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 51%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 49%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 49%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 45%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 40%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 100%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 48%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 48%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 38%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 19%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 76%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 71%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 62%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 60%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 52%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 48%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 96%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 94%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 92%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 91%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 90%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 87%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 86%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 86%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 85%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 84%

    Dangerous conditions

    Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.

  • 83%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 83%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 81%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 81%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 81%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 80%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 80%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 79%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 78%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2111.00 - Electricians.


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