Electrotechnology

This is an industry that is mostly trained through Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications and Australian Apprenticeships. These qualifications can lead to further study through the VET sector or university.

The Electrotechnology sector and the Electrical Services Industry predominately consist of small businesses.

Your skills will be in demand across different industry sectors and you could be working in maintenance, design, electrical wiring or fittings in construction projects, renewables, communication and domestic and commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning.

What does this industry cover?

Workers in this sector can work across a number of industries including manufacturing, communications, mining, construction, renewables, domestic and commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning.

The development of packaged home automation systems is changing consumer’s behaviour, allowing them to use smart devices to communicate with each other and monitor and adjust their electricity usage. This increased use of technology is creating opportunities and changes in the Electrotechnology Industry.

Renewable technology and clean energy are being promoted by government. Projects across the country include the usage of batteries and pumped-hydro to store energy, wind generation, and solar heating and cooling and the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbons to reduce carbon emissions.

Some qualifications that are undertaken by Australian Apprentices in this sector can lead to an occupation that is listed on the National Skills Needs List, and may lead to additional incentives and personal benefits.

Job hunting information

The workforce needs to be properly resourced and skilled to meet the demands of new technologies, automation and increased focus on renewable energy. Some skills that are now in demand are: digital literacy, cybersecurity and data analytics so you can meaningfully interpret data. Good literacy and numeracy skills are also very important in this industry.

Pre-apprenticeships are common in the Electrotechnology industry, and many employers want potential apprentices to do one. This is particularly true for potential Electrician Apprentices.

The benefits of doing a pre-apprenticeship are:

Making sure you have the required language, literacy and numeracy standards
Understanding what the sector is about
Getting some basic skills you will use when starting an apprenticeship.

You could do a pre-apprenticeship while at school, and look at taking STEM subjects to increase your chances of employment.

Search for Pre-apprenticeships

Search

Information for further research

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers. Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry. Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.