RECENTLY, I was chatting to Paul van Eeden, an electrical training officer, about the quality of electricians and I was reminded of a training programme I attended some time ago when the facilitator asked this question: "What is one trait that makes a good nurse?"

The answers ranged from education to experience and even included physical attributes. The facilitator looked bemused by some of the comments from the floor, and finally he commented, "She must care for people."

This is true, and can be validated by those of us who have been in hospital and have experienced good as well as indifferent service.

This made me consider: Is there a trait that makes a good electrician?

We decided to ask various people this question and in discussions and searching the Internet, these are some of the answers and findings, in no particular order, regarding the atrributes that a good electrician must have:

• Have enough experience to perform their trade effectively.
• The ability to come up with effective solutions on the spot.
• Be able to work independently.
• Be diligent about doing things the right way and according to regulations.
• Have the ability to work with a large team of trade contractors (such as crews that construct and maintain buildings).
• Be physically fit.
• Have the ability to communicate issues effectively.
• Be detail oriented.
• Have a pleasant personality and be able to work in many different environments.
• Be able to work with his/her hands.
• Apply and comply with codes, standards and regulations.

This list highlights the skills and mental elements that people believe make a good electrician. I agree with this list but I would highlight the following:

Hand skills: Having knowledge and practical hand skills to be able to use any hand tool, power tool and instruments as required in the trade in order to complete any task in a reasonable and efficient time. This means that the electrician should apply the right tool for the right job. This is a skill that can be learned in a formal or informal environment but it remains true that the effective use of tools and equipment will save time and money.

Planning and preparation: This probably the most important criterion for an electrician - having the understanding that the better something is planned, the more effectively the task will be completed. Planning is a critical skill for an electrician, as it will reduce the cost of a project or task and the time it takes to complete it. How many times have we heard the comment "there is always time allocated to redo the job"? But, this need not be the case as a short training programme will provide the skills and knowledge to plan and prepare effectively.

Engineering principles: An electrician must be capable of understanding processes and have a logical approach to the understanding and functioning of how things work. If an electrician does not know how something functions, how would he know when it is fixed, that that is how it should work? When an electrician comes across a new piece of equipment, he should take the time to understand the equipment's use and operation and learn this to save time and money in the future. 

Faultfinding: In my view, it is this element that separates one electrician from another. An electrician who can tackle a task and rectify a fault without the ‘trial and error method', will be recognised as a good electrician. In other words, to find a fault, an electrician would need to approach a problem logically and be capable of resolving the issue at hand, without changing the nature of the problem. Faultfinding is a skill one learns and, with time and an understanding of the tools, equipment, instruments, processes and machinery, become a good electrician.

While all these identified attributes make a good electrician, the underlining factor is that very few are born good electricians. We should attend training programmes that will provide us with the knowledge and skills that support our chosen field or trade.

Do not regard training as an obstacle but as an aid that will allow you to perform more effectively and, therefore, you will earn more money and also reduce your stress and frustrations in the workplace.