Key Points
- Rex Pangan got his apprenticeship for 4 years and got certified as an electrician when he was 24 years old.
- Following the advice of his dad, Pangan pursued the profession because it is profitable and comparable to that of an engineer’s annual salary.
- From branding himself as “Rex the electrician” and dishing out electric-related and safety tips in online forums, Pangan received offers for his services from the Filipino community which eventually led him to start his own electrical company.
'May PERAan' is SBS Filipino's podcast series which features practical, creative and effective ways to earn money.
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from 2022, close to 80 percent of businesses are found wanting of applicants to fill the job.
For 31-year old electrician, Rex Pangan, he knew that it was financially beneficial to be part of the trade services sector, specifically if you’re an electrician. It was Pangan’s dad who instilled this in him.
Rex Pangan Credit: Rex Pangan
"It’s hands -on. Aside from the physical aspect of the work, there’s also the intellect part.
"Also, being a tradesman is the best way to go in Australia because of the pay difference [compared to other industries]."
Spent less than $5,000 for education and tools
Gearing up with a certificate course and electrical apprenticeship which took all of four years, Pangan obtained his electrician license at the age of 24.
In terms of investing with the right tools, his education and insurance, the cost was less than $5,000.
The main hazards of being an electrician are serious injury and death.
“With electricity you can’t see it but it can kill you in milliseconds. If you don’t end up killing yourself or employees or you can end up killing a client. You always have to be switched on.
"It’s important to think ahead, going back to (your course). You have to be aware of your surroundings and where you’re installing the items. That’s why it’s highly paid compared to the other trades because it requires a lot more thinking than the rest."
The jump from employee to employer status
Branding himself as 'Rex the electrician' whenever he participates in online groups, he offers advice and safety tips for the Filipino community. Soon after, he was being asked to take on electrical jobs from those online communities.
Originally, it was meant to be a side gig as Pangan needed to fund some property projects but realised he was making more than his primary job. This led him to put up his own company called ‘Electrex Melbourne Electrical Service’ in 2020.
With roughly three years as an employer, Pangan finds fulfilment every time he sees the clients feel a sense of relief with their service.
“The biggest value we offer our clients is safety. I’m lucky with my team. That’s one of the things that I look for when I’m hiring – they care about the people. They care about the clients. They care about each other. That’s a good culture."
