Electrician

By the end, you understand electrical theory, safety and the wiring code basics, and know the exact route to qualify. This path prepares you for an apprenticeship and trade test; it does not qualify you to do electrical work.

Career pathwayAbout 100 hours3 stagesFree

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Career pathway. This is a regulated career. Online learning gives you strong foundations and a clear plan, but you will need to study and register formally to work in it. The route is explained on this page.

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Electricians install, maintain and repair wiring, distribution boards and electrical equipment in homes, businesses and industry. It is a trade that requires a trade test, and in South Africa only registered persons may issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC).

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsLearn electrical theory and why safety rules exist.Task: Explain voltage, current, resistance and earthing in your own words, and list ten safety rules for working near electricity. Never work on live circuits.Core skillsUnderstand circuits, protection devices and the wiring code basics.Task: Using a simulator or diagrams only, draw a basic house circuit: distribution board, earth leakage, circuit breakers, lights and plugs. Label what each protection device does.Applied practicePrepare for an apprenticeship and the trade test.Task: Research accredited trade test centres and learnerships near you (for example through the EWSETA, merSETA or a TVET college), and write the steps from N-levels to trade test to registration.

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What competent looks like

Explains Ohm's law and power
Knows lock-out and isolation safety
Understands earth leakage, breakers and earthing
Knows SANS 10142 is the wiring code
Knows the trade test and registration route

The South African route

Qualify through a TVET college (NCV or N1 to N3) and an apprenticeship, then pass the QCTO trade test (via NAMB). To issue CoCs you must register with the Department of Employment and Labour as an electrical tester. Only work on electrics under supervision.

Free resources

Trade testing information
QCTO
Energy and water sector learnerships
EWSETA

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Electrician's assistant
Apprentice electrician
Electrical learner
Maintenance assistant