Being an electrician requires hard and soft skills, which you can acquire in numerous ways. Developing these skills can support better performance at work and help advance your career. Here are some steps you can take to improve your electrician skills:

1. Participate in continuing education opportunities

You can enroll in electrician courses or programs aimed at specific skills to develop your technical abilities. These activities teach you what you need to know to perform the tasks associated with electrician jobs. If you have already mastered the basic skills, you can seek training opportunities for specialized electrician skills or qualifications. As you continue to build your skill set, it can help you move onto more advanced roles.Some specialized skills you may learn through these experiences include construction- or maintenance-related electrical work. With those skills, you can learn how to work on electrical systems within construction projects or troubleshoot, repair and upgrade them. You can also seek manufacturer-specific training opportunities, where you will learn how to use specific equipment or work with particular electrical components or appliances. Knowing specific types of equipment can help boost your resume and impress potential employers.

2. Pursue soft skills training opportunities

You typically learn soft skills through performing your job and personal development. However, depending on the soft skills you want to build, you may find training opportunities such as seminars or workshops. For example, you may pursue management or business training to learn how to lead others and oversee electrical or construction projects. If you are interested in managing your own business, these types of training programs can also help you prepare for that responsibility.

3. Utilize on-the-job training

If you are beginning your electrician career, you may consider participating in an apprenticeship program. These programs typically combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training. You can use these opportunities to develop your technical knowledge and gain hands-on experience performing electrical tasks. When learning on the job, you also gain the ability to build your soft skills, such as communication and customer service.You may also participate in informal on-the-job training opportunities at any career stage. You may identify a colleague or another electrician whose skills you admire. You may ask them to be your mentor, using their extensive experience to provide guidance and advice to support your professional development. Observe how they perform their job and mimic and practice their techniques to help develop your skills. You can also ask this person for feedback on your performance to help identify your strengths and weaknesses.

4. Stay up-to-date on electrical standards

As an electrician, you must be aware of relevant standards for performing electrical work. Study the National Electrical Code to ensure you know how to conduct your tasks safely and effectively. This code receives revisions and changes regularly, so reviewing it often helps ensure that your technical knowledge is up to date. You may need to learn new techniques or methods to adapt to these changes, adding to your skill set. Potential employers may ask about this type of knowledge, so having the ability to discuss recent changes may help impress them.