Do you want a career that is challenging, secure and financially rewarding, and involves working with people in a variety of settings? Then why not join the growing number of men and women already working as electricians.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I become an Electrician?
In order to become a licensed electrician in the Province of Ontario you must first complete an electrical apprenticeship.
What if I already had an Electrical License 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 go to www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship
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.
How long is an electrical apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 28 has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Electrician – Construction and Maintenance at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8160 hours on the job work experience and 840 hours of in-school training. These hours are consistent with apprentice training hours previously set out in regulation under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O 1990, c.T. 17.
Required hours may be reduced for previous academic and/or trade experience.
Some union programs will require a pre-apprenticeship program to be completed before acceptance into the apprenticeship.
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.
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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
If you are thinking about the career of an 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
FIND YOUR LOCAL APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL
Central Ontario
Greater Toronto
Electrical Apprentice Training Alliance (Formerly known as Joint Apprenticeship Council)
28 Fulton Way Unit #1
Richmond Hill, Ontario,
L4B 1J5
Tel: (905) 882-6484
Fax: (905) 882-9757
Hamilton
Electrical Apprentice Training Alliance (Formerly known as Joint Apprenticeship Council)
www.electricalapprenticeship.caTel: (905) 882-6484
Fax: (905) 882-9757
