what is an electrical technician?

As an electrical technician, you develop electrical and electronic circuits. These are used to control systems, devices, and machinery. This includes interface circuits, microprocessors, and simulators. You install, network, and commission systems. In addition to control technology, you also handle measurement and regulation technology. You ensure that your systems and equipment operate smoothly. To do this, regular maintenance is essential. 

When a fault occurs, you identify the cause. Technologies are developing rapidly, which is why you continually optimise systems and machinery. The demands on electronically controlled equipment are increasing, primarily concerning energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Typically, you work as an electrical technician in middle management. You oversee subsystems or an entire project. In your profession, there are numerous opportunities with excellent prospects. Keep reading to find out how you can succeed as an electrical technician.

electrical technician jobs
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working as an electrical technician.

Your tasks as an electrical technician depend on your specialisation. You will always be working with control system circuits. Your role revolves around plants, machinery, and systems. Find out more about your responsibilities as an electrical technician here.

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types of electrical technicians.

Typically, as an electrical technician, you specialise in a particular field. There, you gain in-depth knowledge. The following areas are particularly suitable: 

  • Electrical engineer in energy technology: Energy optimisation is one of the key topics for the future. In this specialised field, you are responsible for energy engineering solutions. You generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy. This involves converting energy sources such as biomass, sunlight, water, and wind into electrical power. You develop systems composed of various devices, ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Your main task is to ensure a safe and reliable energy supply. Energy-efficient and alternative systems, such as photovoltaic installations or electric mobility, will support you in this endeavour.
  • Electronics engineer: As a specialist in electronics, you primarily work in the high-frequency sector. However, your responsibilities also include building automation, power electronics, and microprocessors. You are the one who develops control systems for plants, equipment, and machinery. This also involves creating comprehensive circuit designs.
  • Electrotechnician in information technology: Nothing works in our digital world without smart communication devices like smartphones. That’s where you, as an IT professional, come into play. In your role, you transmit, relay, and process information. You practically combine programmable electronics with computer science. Within this broad field, you can specialise in automation, embedded systems, communication, and robotics.
Smiling male holding an tablet standing in a servers room.
Smiling male holding an tablet standing in a servers room.
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salary as an electrical technician.

Your gross salary as an electrical technician depends on your specialisation and level of experience. Since you work across different industries and regions, you’ll find a wide range of gross salaries on job platforms. Typically, electrical technicians are employed in middle management positions. This means you have the freedom to negotiate your monthly salary. Generally, you can expect a starting salary of around 58,000 CHF, which is approximately 4,800 CHF per month. You can increase your basic salary by taking on more complex tasks in energy technology and information technology. Higher wages are usually found in large companies, whereas smaller firms often offer you more responsibilities and broader skills. Find out more about your gross salary as an electrical technician here.

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vocational and further education as an electrical technician.

To pursue further training as an electrical technician, you need to have completed basic education and gained practical work experience. Good qualifications for this are as an electrical technician EFZ, IT Specialist EFZ, or mechanical technician EFZ. After at least one year of professional experience, you can undertake additional training as an electrical technician. This can be done alongside your job over six to seven semesters. Alternatively, you can complete your training full-time in four semesters. Keep in mind that during part-time training, you will still receive a salary. If you choose full-time study, you will need to rely on savings or additional income. Upon completion, you will be awarded the nationally recognised title of Diplomatic Technician HF in electrical engineering. Even during your studies, you can specialise in electronics, energy technology, or information technology. 

As an electrical technician, you're far from reaching the top of your career ladder. If you're aiming for a management position, it's best to pursue a technical degree with a Bachelor's or Master's qualification. Specialising in engineering and electrical engineering gives you excellent prospects in the job market. Attending leadership seminars can help you gain additional skills. In your technical profession, there's always more to learn. Technologies evolve rapidly, and you need to keep up.

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positions as an electrical technician.

Thanks to your solid technical foundation, you’re versatile as an electrical technician. Companies in the ICT sector are keen to recruit you as a specialist. The financial sector also values your expertise as a consultant. Your further training opens up many opportunities. Exciting roles with attractive working conditions are waiting for you. Are you looking for an exciting position as an electrical technician? Take a look at our offers on this page.

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positions for career changers as electrical technicians.

Electricians are characterised by their expertise in electrical and electronic circuits. Depending on their specialisation, they are familiar with the generation, distribution, and conversion of electrical energy. The necessary specialised knowledge is acquired through foundational training and further specialised education. As a career changer, you have opportunities if you bring technical skills, work experience, and a willingness to learn. Any missing qualifications can be gained through courses. There is a wide range of options available from professional associations, higher technical colleges, and universities of applied sciences.

Mann arbeitet in einem Produktionsbereich
Mann arbeitet in einem Produktionsbereich
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career opportunities and development potential as an electrical technician.

As an electrical technician, you have excellent career prospects. This assumes you are willing to continue developing yourself. Your solid technical expertise provides the foundation to prove yourself, for example, as a project manager. By pursuing a technical degree, you open the door to the exciting world of research. For a managerial position within a company, you will also need leadership skills. Electrical engineering remains a key to success in the future. In a digital world that must harness environmentally friendly energy sources, you play a crucial role. Continuing professional development is definitely worthwhile in your profession.

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competencies as an electrical technician.

Technical understanding is essential as an electrical technician. However, this alone does not guarantee success. Technical expertise combined with interpersonal skills will help you advance in your career. These include: 

  • Analytical skills: When a fault occurs in a complex system, you investigate the cause. Sometimes you don't recognise it immediately. In such cases, you carry out tests to get to the bottom of the issue. It could also be a bug in the software. Thanks to your analytical abilities, you manage to identify the fault within the system.
  • Communication skills: As a specialist, you have an excellent knowledge of electrical engineering. However, this does not necessarily apply to your colleagues and clients. You are able to explain complex electronic concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Within a project team, you succeed in guiding team members clearly and effectively.
  • Thirst for knowledge: In your profession, standing still is a step backwards. Technologies, standards, and methods are constantly evolving. As an electrical technician, you stay at the forefront of developments. You seek innovative solutions and assess whether they can be applied to your systems. Only then can you develop equipment and machinery that are up to date with the latest technology.
Womale wearing a red overall writing on a paper in a production site/factory.
Womale wearing a red overall writing on a paper in a production site/factory.
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benefits of working as an electrical technician at randstad.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as an electrical technician.
✓ exciting jobs at well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one; personalised advice matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your training budget as an electrical technician at randstad.

If you work as an electrical technician for Randstad, you have access to training courses. As part of the Temp Training programme from swissstaffing, you can attend various training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can also gain additional language skills or job-specific knowledge. And all of this is available during your working hours as an electrical technician.

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application tips for electrical technicians at randstad.

Have you found your dream job as an electrical technician? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

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frequently asked questions.

Here you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about the profession of electrical technician.

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