An electrician installs, fixes, and maintains electrical wiring and systems in homes, factories, and buildings. In South Africa you become a qualified electrician (a Red Seal artisan) by learning on the job and passing a trade test, not by getting a degree. The best way is an apprenticeship, where a company employs you and pays you while you learn. You study theory (N-courses or NCV) at a TVET college, do workplace training, and then write the trade test. After that, you can register to sign electrical certificates.
What does a electrician do?
Electricians work with electrical wiring and systems. In a day, you might wire a new house or building, fix faults, install lights, plugs, and machines, test that everything is safe, and issue certificates. You use tools and follow safety rules carefully, because electricity is dangerous. You work on sites, in factories, or in people's homes.
Where you can work
- Electrical contractors
- Construction companies
- Factories and mines
- Municipalities and Eskom
- Solar and energy companies
- Your own business (self-employed)
Kinds of this work
Is this job right for you?
This job is good for you if
- You like working with your hands and tools
- You are good at practical problem-solving
- You are careful and follow safety rules
- You are okay with Maths and reading diagrams
- You are fit and do not mind physical work
- You want to earn while you learn
The hard parts
- Electricity is dangerous, so you must be careful
- The work is physical, on sites and up ladders
- You start on a low apprentice stipend
- You must keep learning new systems, like solar
- Some jobs are dirty or in tight spaces
How you can grow
Your job can get bigger over time. This is a common path.
- 1
Apprentice or learner
You earn a stipend while you learn the trade.
- 2
Qualified electrician (Red Seal)
You pass the trade test and work as a qualified artisan.
- 3
Registered installation electrician
You register so you can sign Certificates of Compliance.
- 4
Master installation electrician
You take on bigger and higher-voltage jobs.
- 5
Foreman or own business
You lead a team, or run your own electrical business.
Steps to become a electrician
- 1
Pass matric with Maths and Science, or at least Grade 9
Grade 9 gets you into N1. Grade 12 with Maths and Physical Science opens more apprenticeships.
- 2
Get an apprenticeship or start N-courses
The best route is an apprenticeship where a company pays you. Or start Electrical N1 to N3 at a TVET college.
- 3
Do your theory and workplace training
You need the N-courses (or NCV) and real workplace hours.
- 4
Write the trade test
At an accredited centre like INDLELA. Passing makes you a qualified Red Seal electrician.
- 5
Register to sign certificates
Register as an installation electrician with the Department of Employment and Labour so you can sign Certificates of Compliance.
- 6
Grow or start your own business
You can specialise, become a master electrician, or run your own electrical business.
Questions people ask
Written and checked by the NavyBlue Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-07-16. Pay numbers are a guide only. Where we got this: QCTO (trades and occupations), Department of Employment and Labour
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