Frequently Asked Questions
Apprenticeship/Electrician | |
| Can a person holding a 309C license work on a construction job site under a 309A license holder as his trainer? | |
| Can I receive any credit hours for completed education? | |
| Can I work as an apprentice in Ontario with a "construction electricity" diploma from Québec? Do I have to take others courses? | |
| Can the education portion of an electrical apprentiship be completed at niight school or does it have to be done during day classes | |
| Do you have to be a licensed electrician when doing maintenance work, if you have electrical training, lock out, test, and wear all PPE to change a ballast in a fluorescent lighting fixture? | |
| Does a first year apprentice have any vacation days available to him/her? | |
| How can I apply to become an electrical apprentice? | |
| How do I become an Electrician? | |
| How do I find an Electrical Apprenticeship in the ICI Sector? Do I have to register somewhere first? | |
| How do I obtain a sample question or pre-exam for industrial electrician to do on my own or by correspondence. | |
| How long is an electrical apprenticeship? | |
| How much money does a first year apprentice electrician make? | |
| I am a certified Industrial Electrician (442A) licenced by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. I am unemployed; how can I join join the union? | |
| I am a third year apprentice with a non-union company. I would very much like to join the union but do not want my hours to be cut. Is there any way around this? | |
| I am an Electronics and Electrical Engineering Technician Graduate, and have 17 years experience in Industrial Electrical Control Systems. What do I need to do to become a certified electrician? | |
| I am currently a 442A industrial electrician. I am interested in obtaining my construction maintenance license. What do I need to do? | |
| I did an apprenticeship recognized by the Ministry of Trade and am a cert. technician in the industial electrical field. I also have a diploma in Electro-mechanics.(College) What more would I have to do to become a licenced electrician. | |
| I have a Jouneyman level license in the state of Colorado. Could I transfer my license to Canada? | |
| I have a journeyman's certificate and have passed the journeyman´s examination for electrical installation work in a country outside Canada. Am I considered an Electrician in Canada? | |
| I have got my 442A (C of Q) and I'm unemployed. I would like to know if I can join the union (IBEW) and become a member or do I have to get a job first? | |
| I have my interprovincial electrician's licence (red seal) class HC and am currently thinking about relocating to Ontario. Does this transfer to the 309? | |
| I immigrated to Canada and I want to be a licensed electrician. I have many years of experience of working and I am currently working for a Canadian electric company. I want to write an exam to be a licensed electrician. | |
| If I have a 309A license can I work as an industrial 442 electrician or do I have to do an apprenticeship again like the ministry has told me, I thought that I could simply write the 442 license as I have already apprenticed passed the 309A red seal. | |
| In the Q&A it states an electrical education program could count in the hours required to become an electrician. Where do I find out if the program I took at "La Cite Collegiale" (a french college) in Ottawa, Ontario can count? | |
| Is a 442A license good at multiple locations for servicing specific industrial equipment, if you are not self-employed? | |
| Is there an age restriction for electrical apprenticeship? | |
| This is actually for my boyfriend he just finished his 2nd year in electrical technician at cambrian college, he is looking for an apprenticeship now, where would it be good for him to look and get one? | |
| What are the benefits for this job? Vacations? | |
| What Education is required to become an electrical apprentice? | |
| What if I already had an Electrical Certification from another Country? | |
| What is the average hourly rate for a commercial/industrial electrician in the Ottawa area? | |
| What is the difference between LRR and ICI? Are the pay scales the same? | |
| What licence or C of Q would one need to write to work strictly as a Rural Residential electrician? Would this be the C&M? | |
| What type of work does an electrician do? | |
| What would be considered a fair journeyman labour rate for a comtemplated change notice in today's market place. | |
| When will ECA Hamilton be taking apprenticeship applications? | |
| Where do I go to obtain a C of Q for electrical? Is there somewhere I go or online options? I am also inquiring in regards to an apprenticeship in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. | |
| Can a person holding a 309C license work on a construction job site under a 309A license holder as his trainer? A person holding a 309C Domestic & Rural license is one who can only “perform work of an electrician in the construction, erection, repair, remodeling or alteration of houses, multiple dwelling buildings containing six or fewer dwellings, or buildings or structures used for farming, or who performs maintenance to electrical equipment in houses, multiple dwelling buildings containing six or fewer dwellings or farms. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1051, s. 2(3)”. However, there is nothing stopping someone with a 309A license (Construction & Maintenance) from working in the residential sector. There are many individuals with a 309A license that train in this sector. An individual with a 309C license can upgrade to a 309A license “upon completion of a further period of training and instruction of 2,000 hours that shall include a course of study approved by the Director. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1051, s. 6.” This further period of training and instruction of 2,000 hours would be required in a Construction & Maintenance environment. Last Updated: 1-5-2009 | Top
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| Can I receive any credit hours for completed education? Some programs do reduce the contract of apprenticeship in recognition for high school credits and in some cases for post secondary education courses. These are reviewed on an individual case by case basis. Last Updated: 2-12-2008 | Top
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| Can I work as an apprentice in Ontario with a "construction electricity" diploma from Québec? Do I have to take others courses? The “Construction Electricity” diploma from Quebec exceeds the minimum educational requirements for an electrical apprenticeship in Ontario, so you should be able to start working as a first year apprentice in Ontario once you find an employer willing to employ you. In Ontario, the in-school training takes place in three sessions at intervals during the apprenticeship. Basic Trade School (8 weeks long), Intermediate (10 weeks) and Advanced (10 weeks) are required in addition to the 9000 hours of work experience. To determine if the Quebec “Construction Electricity” diploma allows you to skip any or all of the Ontario trade school sessions, contact the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities at www.edu.gov.on.ca. Last Updated: 12-16-2008 | Top
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| Can the education portion of an electrical apprentiship be completed at niight school or does it have to be done during day classes Please refer to our website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. Information pertaining to the apprenticeship as well as contact information is outlined in this section of the website. The in school training (trade school) is done during the day time. There are two options; 1. Block release which is every day for the duration of a particular level and 2. Day release which is held once a week for the duration of a particular level. Last Updated: 12-16-2009 | Top
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| Do you have to be a licensed electrician when doing maintenance work, if you have electrical training, lock out, test, and wear all PPE to change a ballast in a fluorescent lighting fixture? With an exemption of this nature, there are three Ministries that should be consulted for clarification; Ontario Ministry of Labour www.labour.gov.on.ca , Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities www.tcu.gov.on.ca and the Electrical Safety Authority www.esainspection.net. Last Updated: 1-13-2009 | Top
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| Does a first year apprentice have any vacation days available to him/her? Yes, a first year apprentice is eligible for vacation as per the Employment Standards Act. For more details please click on the link to the Employment Standards Act http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_00e41_e.htm Last Updated: 5-26-2009 | Top
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| How can I apply to become an electrical apprentice? How can I apply to become an electrical apprentice? Refer to the list below of Local Apprenticeship Committees in your area. Additional websites to visit for more information on the career of Electrician are at: www.ibew.com www.edu.gov.on.ca Check out the local apprenticeship council in your area CENTRAL ONTARIO Tel: (519) 742-8319 Fax: (519) 742-0583 Contact: Sue Dalyk Email: sdalyk@ibew804.ca Website: www.ibew804.ca GEORGIAN BAY Tel: (416) 675-3226 Fax: (416) 675-7736 Contact: Eryl Roberts Email: eroberts@ecao.org GREATER TORONTO Tel: (905) 882-6484 Fax: (905) 882-9757 Contact: Dana Henriques Email: dhenriques@electricalapprenticeship.ca Website: www.electricalapprenticeship.ca HAMILTON Tel: (905) 522-1070 Fax: (905) 572-9166 Contact: Denise Stokes Email: ecah@on.aibn.com LONDON Tel: (519) 268-1060 Fax: (519) 268-1061 Contact: Wayne Crockett Email: wcrockett@lockerbiehole.com NIAGARA PENINSULA Tel: (905) 688-0376 Fax: (905) 688-5723 Contact: Sue Phillips Email: ecaniagara@bellnet.ca NORTHERN ONTARIO Tel:(705) 254-1315 Fax: (705) 254-5601 Contact: Ken Hewett Email:khewett@shaw.ca OSHAWA & DISTRICT Tel: (705) 786-2606 Fax: (705) 786-3943 Contact: Bill Debosky Email: ecaoshawa@i-zoom.net OTTAWA Tel: (613) 238-1124 Fax: (613) 238-8194 Contact: Dan Brennan Email: dan@ecaottawa.org Website: www.ecaottawa.org QUINTE-ST. LAWRENCE Tel: (613) 541-0633 Fax: (613) 541-0863 Contact: Todd Gervais Email: gervaist@bellnet.ca Website: www.electricalcontract.com SARNIA Tel: (519) 336-3003 Fax: (519) 336-3995 Contact: Dario Maola Email: maolad@dmwelectrical.com THUNDER BAY Tel: (807) 623-4174 Fax: (807) 623-4572 Contact: Joanne Steeves-Keller Email: ecatb@tbaytel.net WINDSOR Tel: (519) 948-2221 Fax: (519) 948-7670 Contact: Sol Furer Email: solfurerlu773@on.aibn.com Career Opportunities in the Electrical Industry If you are thinking about the career of Electrician, you might want to take your thoughts one step further and consider your career goals options once you have become a certified Journeyman Electrician. The Certificate of Qualification is the first step to continuous learning in the trade. There are many career opportunities available to an individual in the electrical industry through continuing education and training programs. Some of these careers opportunities are: Foreman Estimator Project Manager Electrical Contractor Electrical Engineer Electrical Technician/Technologist Safety Inspector Instructor. Last Updated: 2-12-2008 | Top
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| How do I become an Electrician? In order to become a licensed electrican in the Province of Ontario you must first complete an electrical apprenticeship. Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| How do I find an Electrical Apprenticeship in the ICI Sector? Do I have to register somewhere first? Please visit the ECAO website at www.ecao.org, click on Become an Electrician. Last Updated: 12-16-2008 | Top
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| How do I obtain a sample question or pre-exam for industrial electrician to do on my own or by correspondence. The Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities can provide you with resources for preparing for the Certificate of Qualification exam, they can be reached at www.tcu.gov.on.ca. Another option would be to check with the various Community Colleges through their part time technical programs. Last Updated: 7-3-2009 | Top
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| How long is an electrical apprenticeship? Under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act an electrical apprenticeship is 9000 hours (approximately five years). However, some union programs will require a pre apprenticeship program be completed before acceptance into the apprenticeship. Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| How much money does a first year apprentice electrician make? The unionized first year apprentice electrician wage package in Ontario (effective May 1, 2008-April 30, 2009) ranges from $19.70 to $24.81 per hour depending on the local union jurisdiction. The unionized journeyman electrician wage package in Ontario (effective May 1, 2008-April 30, 2009) ranges from $49.93 to $51.89 per hour depending on the local union jurisdiction. Last Updated: 1-12-2009 | Top
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| I am a certified Industrial Electrician (442A) licenced by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. I am unemployed; how can I join join the union? Contact the Local Union office in your area. To obtain a list of Local Union offices go to http://www.ecao.org/associations.html. Last Updated: 3-6-2009 | Top
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| I am a third year apprentice with a non-union company. I would very much like to join the union but do not want my hours to be cut. Is there any way around this? Acceptance of previous work experience hours varies from region to region and are done on a case by case basis. Last Updated: 8-26-2010 | Top
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| I am an Electronics and Electrical Engineering Technician Graduate, and have 17 years experience in Industrial Electrical Control Systems. What do I need to do to become a certified electrician? Please visit our website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician for more information pertaining to electrical apprenticeship and contact information across the province. Last Updated: 8-26-2010 | Top
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| I am currently a 442A industrial electrician. I am interested in obtaining my construction maintenance license. What do I need to do? In order to qualify for a 309A license you will be required to serve 4000 hours and complete the Advanced level of trade school of the Constructions & Maintenance program. MTCU will give you credit for approximately ½ of the hours and the Basic and Intermediate levels of trade school you completed under the 442A. For more information please contact your local MTCU branch office. Last Updated: 6-17-2009 | Top
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| I did an apprenticeship recognized by the Ministry of Trade and am a cert. technician in the industial electrical field. I also have a diploma in Electro-mechanics.(College) What more would I have to do to become a licenced electrician. Visit the ECAO website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. General information pertaining to electrical apprenticeship can be found there along with contact information for the various regions around the province. Contact the region you are in for specifics regarding requirements for apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities in your region. Last Updated: 9-3-2009 | Top
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| I have a Jouneyman level license in the state of Colorado. Could I transfer my license to Canada? Each province varies in their criteria with respects to accepting licenses from out of country. In Ontario the certifying body is the Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities. For more information their website is www.tcu.gov.on.ca. Last Updated: 11-26-2009 | Top
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| I have a journeyman's certificate and have passed the journeyman´s examination for electrical installation work in a country outside Canada. Am I considered an Electrician in Canada? If an individual has an electrical license from outside of Canada they must apply to the Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities to write the Certificate of Qualification exam. An individual must present to them their electrical license and proof of fives years work experience. The Ministry will determine if the individual meets the necessary criteria for a Provisional Certificate of Qualification. This provisional document allows the individual to work for a period of 90 days while preparing to write the exam. More information can be obtain from the Ministry at www.edu.gov.on.ca. Last Updated: 1-13-2009 | Top
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| I have got my 442A (C of Q) and I'm unemployed. I would like to know if I can join the union (IBEW) and become a member or do I have to get a job first? To begin an apprenticeship in the unionized sector, you must apply to the apprenticeship council in your area. These apprenticeship councils are jointly managed by the Area Electrical Contractor Associations and the Local Unions. In some areas of the province, the joint apprenticeship council will accept an application from an employer that is willing to sponsor you. Contact your local apprenticeship council for further information. Visit the Become an Electrician section of the ECAO website for local apprenticeship council contacts. Last Updated: 3-5-2009 | Top
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| I have my interprovincial electrician's licence (red seal) class HC and am currently thinking about relocating to Ontario. Does this transfer to the 309? The certifying body in Ontario is the Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities. They will review your certification for eligibility in Ontario. Their website is www.tcu.gov.on.ca. Last Updated: 11-26-2009 | Top
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| I immigrated to Canada and I want to be a licensed electrician. I have many years of experience of working and I am currently working for a Canadian electric company. I want to write an exam to be a licensed electrician. Please refer to our website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. There you will find information pertaining to the electrical apprenticeship. In order to be a qualified electrician you are required to complete an apprenticeship prior to writing the Certificate of Qualification exam. Last Updated: 11-26-2009 | Top
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| If I have a 309A license can I work as an industrial 442 electrician or do I have to do an apprenticeship again like the ministry has told me, I thought that I could simply write the 442 license as I have already apprenticed passed the 309A red seal. As the 442A is a separate license the MTCU is correct in counseling you that further apprenticeship is required. You will be required to complete the Advanced level of trade school as the curriculum is different from that of the C & M curriculum as well as complete some additional on the job training hours. Please contact MTCU for more specific details on the number of hours required to be completed. Last Updated: 12-16-2009 | Top
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| In the Q&A it states an electrical education program could count in the hours required to become an electrician. Where do I find out if the program I took at "La Cite Collegiale" (a french college) in Ottawa, Ontario can count? Please contact the regional ECA or IBEW office where you want to apply to find out if they would accept your education background. Contact information for the province can be found at www.ecao.org by clicking on Become an Electrician. Last Updated: 8-26-2010 | Top
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| Is a 442A license good at multiple locations for servicing specific industrial equipment, if you are not self-employed? Yes, currently you can work in any industrial setting that the employer allows (the employer has to ensure that the person is competent). At this time, a license for an Industrial Electrician is not compulsory, and therefore not required. Typically, good employers ask for the 442A (industrial) or the 309A (construction & maintenance) license. Last Updated: 1-13-2009 | Top
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| Is there an age restriction for electrical apprenticeship? There are no age restrictions for electrical apprenticeship. Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| This is actually for my boyfriend he just finished his 2nd year in electrical technician at cambrian college, he is looking for an apprenticeship now, where would it be good for him to look and get one? Please refer to our website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. Information pertaining to the apprenticeship as well as contact information is outlined in this section of the website. The in school training (trade school) is done during the day time. There are two options; 1. Block release which is every day for the duration of a particular level and 2. Day release which is held once a week for the duration of a particular level. Last Updated: 12-16-2009 | Top
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| What are the benefits for this job? Vacations? By obtaining your certification as a 309A electrician you will be part of a highly skilled workforce that will enable you to work in many areas of the electrical construction industry. For more information on becoming an electrician please visit our website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. Last Updated: 12-16-2009 | Top
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| What Education is required to become an electrical apprentice? Under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act the minimum education required is a completed grade 10. However, in the unionized sector of the electrical industry most programs require grade 12 with Math, English and Physics. Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| What if I already had an Electrical Certification from another Country? An individual would have to become certified with the Province of Ontario by successfully challenging the Certificate of Qualification exam. For more information on this process please contact the Ministry of Colleges and Universities at their website www.edu.gov.on.ca Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| What is the average hourly rate for a commercial/industrial electrician in the Ottawa area? The hourly rate for a unionized commercial/industrial journeyman electrician in the Ottawa area (Local Union 586) is $52.05 effective May 1, 2009. Last Updated: 6-17-2009 | Top
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| What is the difference between LRR and ICI? Are the pay scales the same? A Low Rise Residential electrician is only permitted to work on single family dwellings and dwellings under three stories tall. They cannot work in the ICI sector. The ICI electrician can work in Industrial/Commercial/Institutional and residential sectors. The pay scales are different for the two classifications. Last Updated: 12-16-2009 | Top
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| What licence or C of Q would one need to write to work strictly as a Rural Residential electrician? Would this be the C&M? The license for a Domestic & Rural Electrician is a 309C which will only allow a person to work in the Domestic & Rural sector; it does not permit a person to work as a Construction & Maintenance Electrician. Last Updated: 12-16-2008 | Top
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| What type of work does an electrician do? There are several fields in which an electrician might work provided they have the appropriate certification: ICI Sector - Work in this sector is Industrial, Commercial and Institutional. This is referred to as a Construction and Maintenance Electrician. Low Rise Residential Sector - This sector is restricted to housing excluding high rise residential buildings. Lineworkers - This sector is restricted to the high voltage and the utility sectors. Last Updated: 1-15-2008 | Top
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| What would be considered a fair journeyman labour rate for a comtemplated change notice in today's market place. The average wage package for a unionized journeyman electrician in the province of Ontario is $50.65 (effective May 1, 2008-April 30, 2009). Last Updated: 3-26-2009 | Top
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| When will ECA Hamilton be taking apprenticeship applications? Please visit the "Become an Electrician" page of the ECAO website for contact information of the Local Apprenticeship Councils. Last Updated: 1-4-2010 | Top
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| Where do I go to obtain a C of Q for electrical? Is there somewhere I go or online options? I am also inquiring in regards to an apprenticeship in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. Information pertaining to the electrical apprenticeship can be found on the ECAO website at www.ecao.org and click on Become an Electrician. There you will find general information pertaining to apprenticeship, FAQs and contact information for the Kitchener/Waterloo area. For further specifics on apprenticeship in the Kitchener/Waterloo area please contact that region directly. Last Updated: 9-3-2009 | Top
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