Electrician

Note: This trade is transitioning to a Pan-Canadian Harmonized program, so it is important that Apprentices understand how that impacts their program path. Details on the transition can be found via SkilledTradesBC, or contact your trainer for the most current updates.

Electricians work in a wide variety of buildings and facilities - on everything from lighting and climate control systems, to communication equipment and thousands of other specific tools and devices. An Electrician's work involves assembling, installing, commissioning, testing, maintaining, servicing and operating electrical systems and equipment. Electricians typically work in three main settings: Construction, Industrial, and Institutional.

Construction electricians work either as employees who are part of a contractor's team, on both residential and commercial projects, or as independent electrical contractors on such projects.

Industrial electricians are typically employed on staff at large-scale industrial facilities such as pulp mills, hydroelectric dams, and mining and smelting operations.

Finally, most large institutions such as hospitals, school boards, universities and other public facilities have at least one electrician working as part of their maintenance department.

An Electrician is designated as a Construction Electrician under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.