A Bright Future: How to Become an Electrician in Vancouver, BC
Are you drawn to a hands-on, physical, and stimulating work environment? Are you intrigued by the world of wires, circuits, and the power of electricity? Becoming an electrician in the skilled trade sector might be the perfect path for you! Vancouver, BC, has seen strong growth in construction industry employment and faces a steady flow of projects over 2019-2029. With a thriving industry and constant need for skilled tradespeople, Vancouver offers an excellent opportunity to embark on this electrifying journey. This blog post will guide you through the critical steps to becoming an apprentice electrician in the electrical industry.
Step 1: Do Your Research
Before diving into any career, researching and assessing whether it aligns with your interests and goals is crucial. Electrical training requires a wide range of tasks, from installing and maintaining electrical systems in homes and commercial buildings to troubleshooting and repairing electrical issues. Make sure you are genuinely interested in these tasks and this field and are comfortable working with your hands and with tools, electrical systems, and blueprints.
It is recommended to have your high school diploma, including Pre-Calculus 12 or Principles of Math 12, Physics 11, and English or Communications 12.
Step 2: Electrician Educational Requirements Canada
You can enter the trade in one of two ways. One option is to take an Entry Level Trades Training program (ELTT) which will provide foundational knowledge and hands-on training to prepare you for your apprenticeship. This program gives you credit that is equivalent to Electrical Work level 1, and these graduates are what union or non-union companies are looking for when hiring electrical apprentices. Another option is to apply for a job with a non-union contractor that will hire you without any electrical schooling. This route would mean that you sign up for your first level of school (Electrical Work 1) at a public college such as BCIT or Kwantlen College once you have worked at least 6 months in the trade. In general, contractors, both union and non-union, prefer to hire students who have completed an ELTT (or Foundation) program as graduates will have some knowledge and practical experience to start their apprenticeship after the program.
Prerequisites for Apprenticeship
Step 3: Technical Training / Completing Your Apprenticeship
Skilled Trades BC is the governing body that oversees apprenticeship in the province. During apprenticeship, you’ll gain practical experience and learn the skills necessary to become a qualified and well-rounded journeyperson electrician. You will work under the supervision of a licensed electrician, working for one year before returning to school for technical training, to learn new aspects of the electrical industry. There are a total of four (4) levels of technical training in electrical apprenticeship.
Organizations such as the Electrical Joint Training Committee, which is the apprenticeship arm of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213 union, hires apprentices and manages their apprenticeships by scheduling schooling and employing them with union contractors, taking out a lot of the guesswork and time required to manage your apprenticeship on your own.
Apply for Electrical Apprenticeship
If your apprenticeship is not managed by an apprenticeship administration such as the Electrical Joint Training Committee, each apprentice will need to register with a trades college for each level of schooling, once per year.
Step 4: Write the Red Seal Exam
Once you’ve completed your fourth level of technical training, you’ll write the Red Seal Interprovincial Exam on your last day of school. Passing this exam is critical to becoming a certified journeyperson electrician. This certification allows you to work as an electrician anywhere in Canada, and some parts of the US (state dependent), United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The Red Seal is your ticket to travel!
Step 5: Apprenticeship is Complete!
Once you’ve passed your Red Seal Exam and have completed your working hours requirement as mandated by Skilled Trades BC or the union collective agreement, you will be signed off to be qualified as a Red Sealed Electrician.
Now that you are a Journeyperson, learning continues as you will strive to expand your knowledge and expertise, as the electrical trade is constantly changing, improving with new technologies such as solar and EV, to name a few. You can begin your own business, take on contracts, or become a foreman. The opportunities are endless!
Becoming an electrician in Vancouver, BC, is a decision that offers numerous benefits, including job security, competitive earnings, career advancement, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. If you’re looking for a dynamic and rewarding career path, consider harnessing the power of electricity in Vancouver. It’s a choice that will light up your future, and the EJTC is here to support you through it.
Written by: Savannah Davis, ClearWater Communications Co.