If you’re an electrician, there’s never been a better time to find work. Qualified electricians can find a job anywhere in the world, but right now Sydney is the place to be if you’re looking to increase your earnings and pick up valuable skills. Sydney is in the middle of a construction boom, and some of the nations biggest contractors are paying top rates for capable electricians. Want to get involved? Read on to find out more.
Calling all Sparkies – Top Rates Paid
The construction industry has always been the most common place for sparkies to find work, and with large developments happening all over Sydney there is plenty of it to go around. There is no need to limit yourself to an office job or any other type of employment when you hold valuable electrical qualifications, as you can expect to receive top rates which far exceed the national average.
Base rates are highly attractive, but if you hold specialist qualifications and skills, there are some very lucrative contracts on offer. Rest assured that no matter where you stand in your field, you’ll be well compensated for your time and effort.
Why the shortage?
You may be wondering why companies are having a hard time filling these positions when they are willing to pay top dollar, but there is a good reason for this. There has been a sharp decline in the number of people taking up electrical apprenticeships and traineeships, leading to a national skills shortage.
The statistics speak for themselves, with data from the 12 months ending 31 March 2017 compared to the 12 months ending 31 March 2018 showing that:
- Commencements decreased by 0.9%, to 164 150
- Completions decreased by 4.6%, to 92 130
- Cancellations and withdrawals increased by 0.4%, to 92 765
Many electricians work full time, with around 91.4% of all electricians in full time work compared to the national all jobs average of 68.4%. This can make it difficult to find available candidates.
Reasons for the decline
Why are so many people abandoning electrical apprenticeships? Many experts believe it is due to a change in attitudes amongst parents and teachers, who are encouraging young people to go to university rather than qualify as tradies. It may also be due to the fact that young people tend to prefer the air-conditioned comfort that office-based work provides, rather than the physical labour that electrical work requires.
Impacts on Australia and the Construction Industry
A low availability of qualified electricians has a negative effect on the Australian economy, and it means that major construction projects will be at risk of becoming significantly delayed. Australia is set to endure a serious trade shortage in the coming years, and the impacts of this will be felt at a national level.
What does this mean for electricians?
It’s not all bad news. As a qualified electrician, you are in a fantastic position as you will be able to find full time/long term work with ease, as jobs are plentiful. On average, less than 8 people apply for each vacancy, many of whom would not be deemed suitable for the role. In total, only around 58% of vacancies are filled. This means that if you qualified as an electrician within Australia, you are a prime candidate for these jobs.
In order to work in Australia as a fully qualified electrician, you will need to hold an Australian electrical license. You can expect to work on some of the biggest jobs in the country, all whilst commanding the best rates.
Overseas qualified electricians can also find some great jobs on big projects, where you can work as an Electrical trade assistant.
Opportunities from Brix Projects
As one of the leading labour hire companies in Australia, Brix Projects have some fantastic opportunities on offer for our clients in Sydney and Melbourne. Current vacancies include:
- Licensed Electricians
- Leading Hand Electricians
- Trade Assistants
- Electrical Labourers
Much of this work is centred around major infrastructure projects and large commercial work, so it’s a great opportunity to add some experience to your resume and get some new connections. These jobs have an immediate start, and you can expect long term work in most cases. With weekly pay, fantastic hourly rates + penalties, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Sound good? Apply Now!
Check out our advertisement for Licensed Electrician | Leading Hand on Seek. We look forward to receiving your application. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions, and make sure to sign up to our newsletter to receive job alerts and project news straight to your inbox.
