Electrical Construction and Maintenance Essential Skills

Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Sample of reported job titles

Apprentice Electrician, Cable Puller, Electrical Apprentice, Electrician Apprentice, Electrician Helper, Electrician's Helper.

Tasks

Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools. See more occupations related to this task.
Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter. See more occupations related to this task.
Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering. See more occupations related to this task.
Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools. See more occupations related to this task.
Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.

Tools used in this occupation

Circuit tester — Continuity testers; Growlers; Loop PSC testers; Residual current device RCD testers See more occupations related to this tool.
Conduit benders — Hydraulic conduit benders; Manual conduit benders; Power conduit benders See more occupations related to this tool.
Screwdrivers — Cabinet tip screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers; Screw-holding screwdrivers See more occupations related to this tool.
Voltage or current meters — Current clamps; Non-contact voltage sensors; Voltage meters See more occupations related to this tool.
Wire or cable cutter — Cable cutters; Insulated cable cutters; Power cable cutters; Ratcheting cable cutters.

Technology used in this occupation

Computer-aided design CAD software Hot technology — Computer-aided drafting or design software See more occupations related to this technology.
Database user interface and query software — Recordkeeping software See more occupations related to this technology.
Office suite software — Microsoft Office software See more occupations related to this technology.
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Hot Technology See more occupations related to this technology.
Word processing software — Report generation software.

Knowledge

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. See more occupations related to this knowledge.
Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. See more occupations related to this 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. See more occupations related to this knowledge.
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. See more occupations related to this knowledge.
Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

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. See more occupations related to this skill.
Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. See more occupations related to this skill.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. See more occupations related to this skill.
Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. See more occupations related to this skill.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). See more occupations related to this ability.
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. See more occupations related to this ability.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). See more occupations related to this ability.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. See more occupations related to this ability.
Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Work Activities

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. See more occupations related to this activity.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. See more occupations related to this activity.
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. See more occupations related to this activity.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. See more occupations related to this activity.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems
Fabricate parts or components. See more occupations related to this activity.
Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly. See more occupations related to this activity.
Position construction or extraction equipment. See more occupations related to this activity.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning. See more occupations related to this activity.
Clean work sites.

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions — 99% responded “Every day.” See more occupations related to this work context.
Spend Time Standing — 67% responded “Continually or almost continually.” See more occupations related to this work context.
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 66% responded “Continually or almost continually.” See more occupations related to this work context.
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 66% responded “Extremely important.” See more occupations related to this work context.
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 68% responded “Every day”.

Interests

Interest code: RC

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems, and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. See more occupations related to this interest.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually, there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. See more occupations related to this work style.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. See more occupations related to this work style.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. See more occupations related to this work style.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. See more occupations related to this work style.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations, and Supervision: Technical. See more occupations related to this work value.
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values, and Social Service. See more occupations related to this work value.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety, and Working Conditions.