Becoming an electrician after school usually means combining structured training with paid workplace experience. For many school leavers, an electrical apprenticeship is one of the clearest and most complete routes into the trade because it brings together employment, practical learning and recognised training. Steve Willis Training delivers electrical apprenticeship training at centres in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, and Portchester, Hampshire. This guide explains how the route works, how to prepare and how we support learners as they take their first steps into the electrical industry.
A clear career pathway after school
Leaving school is exciting, but it can also feel uncertain. Young people are expected to make important decisions about work and training before they have had much experience of either.
That uncertainty matters. The Office for National Statistics estimated that 1,012,000 people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training between January and March 2026. This is broader than youth unemployment, but it still shows why clear and supported routes into work are important. View the latest ONS figures.
An electrical apprenticeship offers a defined route forward. You develop practical skills with an employer while completing structured training, giving you the chance to earn, learn and build the workplace habits needed for a long-term career.
At Steve Willis Training, our role goes beyond classroom teaching. We help apprentices build the practical skills, knowledge and confidence they need to work safely in the electrical industry. We can also explain how to approach the search for an apprenticeship employer, although an employer placement cannot be guaranteed.
Can you become an electrician straight after school?
Yes. You can start an apprenticeship if you are aged 16 or over, live in England and are not in full-time education. You can apply while you are still at school, provided you will be eligible by the time the apprenticeship begins.
An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines workplace experience with formal training and assessment. However, leaving school and becoming a fully competent electrician are not the same thing. Electrical work carries serious safety responsibilities, so training takes time and requires technical knowledge, practical ability and experience of working safely in real environments.
Do you need electrical experience before applying?
You are applying to learn, so employers will not expect you to arrive as an experienced electrician. Some practical exposure can still help show that your interest is genuine.
- Attend an apprenticeship open day, careers event or skills fair
- Complete relevant work experience where possible
- Take an interest in practical, engineering or technology-based subjects
- Learn more about what electricians do day to day
- Be ready to explain why the trade appeals to you
Entry requirements vary between employers and programmes, so speak to the apprenticeship team before assuming that a particular route is or is not suitable for you.
What is an electrical apprenticeship?
An electrical apprenticeship combines employment with structured training. You spend most of your time learning through real work with an employer, supported by off-the-job learning through a training provider.
The current Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
At Steve Willis Training, learners combine workplace experience with practical workshop sessions and classroom learning at our centres in Burgess Hill and Portchester. Learn more about the Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship.
Where does electrical apprenticeship training take place?
Electrical apprenticeship training is available at our centres in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, and Portchester, Hampshire. Both locations provide classroom space and purpose-built workshops where apprentices can develop practical skills in a supported training environment. The Burgess Hill centre supports learners across Sussex and surrounding areas, while Portchester is well placed for learners and employers across Portsmouth, Southampton and the wider Hampshire area.
How long does an electrical apprenticeship take?
An electrical apprenticeship is a substantial, multi-year commitment rather than a quick course. The exact length can vary depending on your starting point, working hours, progress and readiness for final assessment.
That time is important. It allows you to build competence gradually, encounter different types of work and apply what you learn safely under supervision.
What will you learn?
Programme content can change as standards develop, but electrical apprentices generally build knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Health and safety
- Electrical principles
- Installation methods
- Wiring regulations
- Inspection and testing
- Fault-finding and maintenance
- Planning and organising work
- Communication with customers and colleagues
- Professional behaviour and responsibility
Electrical apprenticeship or short electrical course?
Electrical apprenticeships and short electrical courses serve different purposes. Choosing the wrong route can cost time and money, so it is important to understand the distinction.
An electrical apprenticeship
For many school leavers, an apprenticeship is one of the clearest routes into a full electrical career because it combines:
- Paid employment
- Sustained workplace experience
- Structured practical and theory training
- Support from an employer and training provider
- Progress towards recognised occupational competence
A short electrical training course
Short electrical courses are often designed for existing electricians, domestic installers or tradespeople who need a particular qualification or additional skill. They may cover areas such as wiring regulations, inspection and testing or electric vehicle charging installation.
Some courses may be suitable for people building foundational knowledge, but a short course does not automatically replace the workplace experience and broader development included in an apprenticeship. You can explore our electrical training courses, but speak to our team before booking if your aim is to leave school and train as an electrician.
Key point: For most school leavers seeking a complete route into the electrical trade, an apprenticeship is likely to be more suitable than choosing individual short courses without a wider employment and training plan.
Seven steps to becoming an electrician after school
1. Learn what electricians actually do
Electrical work is varied. It may involve installing wiring and equipment, testing systems, finding faults, carrying out maintenance and explaining work to customers. Research the role properly so you understand both the practical opportunities and the safety responsibilities.
2. Build good habits while you are still at school
Employers notice attitude. Punctuality, reliability, communication, attention to detail and willingness to take instruction can matter just as much as prior trade knowledge.
3. Gain exposure to the trade
Work experience, open days, skills fairs and conversations with working electricians can help you understand the job and strengthen future applications. For school leavers exploring electrical apprenticeships in Sussex or Hampshire, our Burgess Hill and Portchester teams can explain the programme and what to expect.
4. Prepare a clear apprentice CV
Keep your CV concise. Explain why electrical work interests you, include relevant subjects or practical projects, and mention part-time work, volunteering or responsibilities that show reliability. Check your spelling and make sure your contact details are correct.
5. Look for an employer
The workplace element is central to an apprenticeship. Search live apprenticeship vacancies, contact local electrical contractors and use careers fairs, trade contacts and training-provider guidance. A polite, tailored approach is more effective than sending the same vague message to every business.
6. Speak to a training provider
A training provider can explain the programme, expected entry requirements, training format, employer requirements and application process. Our team can help you understand the route and what you need to do next.
7. Stay persistent
Not everyone finds an employer immediately. Ask for feedback, strengthen your CV, widen your search and continue building your knowledge and employability skills. Not securing an apprenticeship straight away does not mean the trade is not right for you.
What do electrical employers look for?
Employers know that a school leaver is at the beginning of their career. They are often assessing whether you can become a safe, dependable and professional member of the team.
- A genuine interest in electrical work
- Reliable attendance and punctuality
- A willingness to learn and accept feedback
- Clear and respectful communication
- Care when following instructions
- Practical problem-solving
- An understanding that safety comes first
- Resilience when work is difficult
Be honest about what you know. Employers are looking for someone who is reliable, interested in the trade and willing to learn.
What should parents know about electrical apprenticeships?
Parents and carers often play an important part in helping a school leaver assess their options. An apprenticeship is paid employment, but it is also a demanding training programme that requires consistency over several years.
- Progress depends on performance at work as well as in training
- Practical learning still involves theory, study and assessment
- Early starts and travel may be part of working life
- The relationship with the employer matters
- Support with organisation, attendance and confidence can make a real difference
Visiting the training centre or attending a current open event can make the route feel more concrete and give both the learner and their family the opportunity to ask questions. Check with our team for the latest dates before travelling.
Where can an electrical apprenticeship lead?
Completing an apprenticeship can open the door to work across domestic, commercial and industrial environments. As experience grows, electricians may move into areas such as inspection and testing, maintenance, renewable technologies, supervision, estimating or project support.
Some qualified electricians later become self-employed, but that decision should come after building suitable competence, experience and an understanding of the responsibilities involved in running a business.
It can also help to see how other learners and employers have approached apprenticeships. You can read apprenticeship success stories on our website.
Start your electrical career with the right support
A successful apprenticeship is about more than passing assessments. It is about developing the confidence, judgement and safe working habits needed for a long-term career.
Steve Willis Training provides electrical apprenticeship training from purpose-built facilities in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, and Portchester, Hampshire. Our trainers and assessors have worked in the industry, our workshops are designed for practical learning, and our class sizes allow learners to receive meaningful support.
We also get to know our apprentices individually. If someone is struggling, they can speak to the team and receive guidance rather than being left to work everything out alone.
Explore our apprenticeship programmes or contact the Steve Willis Training team to discuss the application process, current open events and the next steps towards finding an employer.
