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Power System Electrician Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Power System 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 Power System Electrician. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Power System Electrician click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Electrical Equipment

Power System Electrician

work indoors

Power system electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and equipment.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Physics

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Power system electricians are employed by utility companies, large industrial facilitates and their subcontractors.

    In Alberta, 86 per cent of people employed as power system electricians work in the following industries:

    • Utilities.
    • Construction.
  • DutiesDetails

    Power System Electricians work in two distinct areas:

    • Substations - high voltage.
    • Metering.

    In substations you work with:

    • Circuit-breakers.
    • Transformers.
    • Switches.
    • Control circuits for protection, indication and monitoring systems.

    Substation duties include:

    • Adjusting relays.
    • Working on safety devices.
    • General maintenance of large switch gear.

    Metering Power System Electricians work with:

    • Supervisory controls.
    • Indicating and recording devices.
    • Switchboards and equipment circuitry found in generating stations and powerhouses.

    Duties may include:

    • Install demand meters to review customer billing.
    • Make recommendations to improve the company's cost effectiveness.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Shops.
    • Outdoors
      • All weather conditions.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work overtime.
    • May need to work shiftwork.
    • May be on call during emergencies.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Able to handle heavy equipment.
    • Able to fine tune equipment using exact measurements.
    • Able to understand textbooks and why that information is important to the job.
    • Able to pay careful attention to details.
    • Willing to upgrade skills and knowledge.
    • Enjoy doing many different tasks.
    • Enjoy thinking of new ways to do things.
  • 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.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    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.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1st year: 1500 work hours each year + 8 weeks of classroom training.
    • 2nd year: 1500 work hours each year + 8 weeks of classroom training.
    • 3rd year: 1425 work hours each year + 10 weeks of classroom training.
    • 4th year: 1425 work hours each year + 10 weeks of classroom training.
  • 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.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Foreman.
    • Electrical services superintendent.
    • 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:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyman wage rates vary but generally range from $40 to $55 an hour plus benefits (2014 estimates). Apprentice power system 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, 67.5 per cent in the third and 75 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average from $38.98 to $42.59 an hour. The overall average wage for this group was $40.81 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails