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Electrician/Industrial Electrician Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors and outdoors icon that represents where Electrician/Industrial Electrician work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Electrician/Industrial Electrician. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Electrician/Industrial Electrician click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Structural Construction

Electrician/Industrial Electrician

work indoors and outdoors

Electricians install, alter, repair, and maintain electrical systems that are designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signals, or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures, and premises.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Physics; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Electricians are employed by construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies and other large organizations. Especially in construction, there may be no guarantee of permanent work.

    In Alberta, electricians are part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications: 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) and National Occupational Classification 7242 Industrial Electricians.

    76% of people employed in the Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) group work in the construction industry.

    87% of people employed in the Industrial Electricians group work in the following industries:

    • Manufacturing.
    • Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Construction.
  • DutiesDetails

    Electricians:

    • Read electrical, mechanical, and architectural drawings.
    • Know electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts.
    • Cut, thread, bend, assemble, and install conduits.
    • Assemble and install electrical conductor enclosures and fittings.
    • Pull wire through conduits and holes in walls and floors.
    • Position, maintain, and install switches, relays, circuit breaker panels, and fuse enclosures.
    • Install, replace, maintain, and repair electrical systems and related electrical equipment.
    • Install data cabling.
    • Splice, join, and connect wire to form circuits.
    • Test circuits to ensure integrity and safety.
    • Install and maintain fibre optic systems.
    • Work in residential jobs (housing developments).
    • Work in commercial jobs (office buildings).
    • Work in institutional jobs (hospitals).
    • Work in industrial jobs (plants, factories).
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Clean open areas.
      • Dirty cramped spaces.
      • New construction.
      • Renovation construction.
    • Outdoors
      • May work on scaffolds.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours.
    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work overtime to meet deadlines.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Up to 20 kilograms.
    • Risk of injury due to accidental shock.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Good communication skills.
    • Good reading skills.
    • Good math skills.
    • Mechanical ability.
    • Physical strength and stamina.
    • Good colour vision.
    • Able to work in high places.
    • Able to get along well with co-workers.
    • Able to keep up to date with changing technology creativity.
    • Able to do precision work.
    • Must be neat and have good customer service skills.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 20-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 20-3 or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1st year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 2nd year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 3rd year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 4th year: 1350 work hours + 12 weeks classroom training.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Outside the apprenticeship program, NAIT and SAIT offer two year Electrical Engineering Technology diploma programs.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institutions listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Estimator.
    • Electrical inspector.
    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Self-employed.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Location in Alberta.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 18,900 Albertans work in the Electricians category.
    • Expect below average growth of 1.9% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 359 new positions each year.
    • More than 6,000 Albertans work in the Industrial Electricians category.
    • Expect below average growth of 1.0% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 60 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $40 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimates). Apprentice electricians earn at least 50 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 per cent in the second, 70 per cent in the third and 80 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working in the:

    • Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) occupational group earned on average from $24.17 to $37.61 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $34.42 an hour.
    • Industrial Electricians occupational group earned on average from $24.35 to $44.13 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $35.72 an hour.
  • Other SourcesDetails