Electrical
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Electrical
Electricians are often referred to as “Sparkies” on a jobsite. If you become an electrician, it is better to be known as a Sparky than some of the more personalized trades nicknames like “blister” (only shows up when the hard work is done) or “lawn chair” (always folds under pressure). Becoming a Sparky is a gateway to a wide range of excellent career possibilities.
Compulsory (and non-compulsory) Trade
There are three types of electrician in Ontario, but the two most common ones are 1) Construction and Maintenance (CM) and 2) Industrial. Things get confusing at this point, because while both CM and Industrial Electrician are Red Seal trades, only CM is a compulsory trade. This means that CM electricians must complete an apprenticeship and continually renew their Certificate of Qualification in order to legally work as an electrician, but Industrial electricians do not. But as Red Seal trades, both types of electricians can work anywhere in Canada without additional qualifications. Clear as mud? Not to worry, the first step for every electrician is to earn and complete an apprenticeship.
An Electrical Apprenticeship
There is a classroom component and a work experience component to every apprenticeship.To become an electrician, you have to complete 840 hours of classroom training in trade school, and work as an apprentice for 8160 hours. On average, it will take 5 years to become a certified electrician.
The work and school periods are spaced out, ideally in the following pattern.
Period | Major Activities | Duration | Hourly Wage |
Year 1 | Foundational work – digging trenches, moving supplies, cleaning and disposal | 2000 hours | $20 – $23 |
Class 1 – Basic | Basic Theory – safety, fittings, electrical code, installations, electrical theory, etc. | 270 hours (2 months) | $0 |
Year 2 | Foundational work – digging trenches, moving supplies, cleaning and disposal, inventory | 2000 hours | $23 – $26 |
Class 2 – Intermediate | Intermediate Theory – safety, electrical code II, drawings, electronics, tools, etc. | 270 hours (2 months) | $0 |
Year 3 | Foundational work plus basic installs, repairs, planning, estimating etc. | 2000 hours | $25 – $30 |
Class 3 – Advanced I | Advanced Theory – renewable energy, power electronics, instrumentation, etc. | 270 hours (2 months) | |
Year 4 | Foundational work plus full range of electrician tasks | 2000 hours | $28 – $33 |
Class 4 – Advanced II | Advanced Theory – power conditioning, automation, high voltage systems, etc. | 240 hours (2 months) | $0 |
Year 5 | Foundational work plus all electrical tasks, write Certificate of Qualification Exam | 160 hours | $30 – $50 |
Specialisations In Electrical
Most of us are familiar with residential electricians, who show up to run the wire when we build an addition or finish the basement. These people do a lot of service and repair work, as well as sales of new fixtures and some new home construction. Most residential electrical companies are smaller operations with under 50 employees, and they tend to be single-trade companies.
Some companies do more project-based work, which can consist of doing the electrical for new apartment buildings, schools, or office complexes, or even running the wire for entire subdivisions. These companies tend to be much larger, often employing more than 250 people, and they may be full multi-trade companies offering plumbing, electrical, HVAC and even ironworking.
Some electricians end up working in extremely high voltage environments, in power plants or working on transmission lines. Others specialize in renewable energy systems such as solar or wind.
The starting point for all of these possibilities is an apprenticeship. And you don’t have to pick your specialisation right away. You can start an apprenticeship with a small residential electrical company and end up working on a solar farm or large manufacturing operation.
Be a professional, be utterly reliable, and the opportunities will come to you. Let Trade Smart College help you take this first step on your journey.
Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent or a company, we want to hear from you and put you in touch with one of our team members as soon as possible. We feel it is important to answer your questions one-on-one, so you can make informed decisions about joining us on our mission to connect students and companies. Please fill out the form, and we will get back to you very soon.
Electrical Apprenticeship or University?
Becoming a fully qualified “journeyperson” electrician does take time. In fact, it takes a year longer to become a journeyperson than it does to get a university degree. However, aside from part-time and summer jobs, you don’t get paid to go to university. So instead of earning $40,000 to $65,000 a year as an apprentice, getting a degree will cost you $30,000 a year in tuition and living expenses.
At the end of four years, you can be $120,000 in the hole pursuing a degree, or $190,000 ahead as an apprentice.
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