SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Helpers--Electricians

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Apprentice
  • E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice)
  • E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice)
  • Electrical Apprentice
  • Electrical Helper
  • Electrician Apprentice
  • Electrician Helper
  • Electrician's Helper

What do Helpers--Electricians do?

Helpers—Electricians assist electricians in their tasks, providing support in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems. They play a critical role in ensuring that electrical work is carried out safely and efficiently in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. These helpers often work alongside experienced electricians, learning the trade while performing basic tasks such as preparing job sites, handling tools and materials, and assisting with installations. Their responsibilities may include measuring, cutting, and installing wiring and conduit, as well as maintaining and keeping equipment organized. Helpers—Electricians often receive on-the-job training and can eventually pursue further education and apprenticeships to become fully qualified electricians. This career serves as an entry point into the electrical field, offering valuable experience and opportunities for advancement.

What the work actually is

  • Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
  • Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
  • Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
  • Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
  • Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Processing Information
  • Getting Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Word processing software Report generation software
  • Computer aided design CAD software Computer-aided drafting or design software
  • Data base user interface and query software Recordkeeping software

Tools

  • Circuit tester Continuity testers · Growlers · Loop PSC testers
  • Wire or cable cutter Cable cutters · Insulated cable cutters · Power cable cutters
  • Screwdrivers Cabinet tip screwdrivers · Phillips head screwdrivers · Screw-holding screwdrivers
  • Conduit benders Hydraulic conduit benders · Manual conduit benders · Power conduit benders
  • Voltage or current meters Current clamps · Non-contact voltage sensors · Voltage meters

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Helpers--Electricians earn in South Africa?

Helpers--Electricians salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Helpers--Electricians do?

Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering, Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter and Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.