Electrician

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.

Note: This trade is transitioning to a Pan-Canadian Harmonized program, so it is important that Apprentices understand how that impacts their training path. This trade will also fall under mandatory certification, effective December 1, 2023. Details on these changes can be found via SkilledTradesBC, or contact your trainer for the most current updates.

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

Recommendations

Electricians must be capable of distinguishing colours to work with colour-coded wiring.

 

The following education is recommended: Recent grade 12 graduate (within 5 years); Principles of Math 11; Physics 11; English 12 or Communications 12.

 

The Apprenticeship Program is comprised of Levels 1-to-4 of progressive technical training, with each Level taking 10 weeks (300 hours) to complete. In addition, apprentices are required to accumulate 6,000 hours of work-based training.

 

The Foundation Program can jump-start your career without employer sponsorship by supplying the knowledge and skills to enter directly at Level 2 (refer to SkilledTradesBC for alternative paths into the occupation).

PROGRAM TYPES

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Nicola Valley Institute of Tech.

Merritt

Feb 10 2025Jul 25 2025

Electrical (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Nicola Valley Institute of Tech.

Merritt

Feb 09 2026Jul 24 2026

Electrical (Harmonized)