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Overview
Learn how to set up, change, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light and power or control, signal and fire alarms in all kinds of buildings.
On the job, you’ll read electrical, mechanical and architectural plans, specifications and codes to figure out where wires should go. You’ll install conduits and other electrical conductor enclosures and pull wires through them. You’ll also maintain and install distribution and control equipment, such as switches, relays, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures.
You'll install, replace, maintain and repair electrical systems, making sure everything is connected safely and properly. You may even specialize in renewable energy – such as wind and solar – and fire alarm systems.
During your career, you may be able to work in specific industries, including:
- residential (housing developments)
- commercial (office buildings)
- institutional (hospitals, schools)
- industrial (plants and factories).
Certification is required to work in this trade. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson or be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Electricians are usually self-motivated, can work alone or alongside a team and enjoy helping people. If you enjoy problem-solving and working with your hands, you'll excel in this line of work.
To succeed in this trade, you should:
- have decent math skills
- be willing to keep up with Alberta code updates and new industry developments
- recognize different colours for working with colour-coded wiring
- enjoy finding solutions to complex challenges
- be passionate about computers and technology
- pay attention to details and produce quality work
- be good at communicating with others
- be committed to maintaining health and safety standards.
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, you'll be awarded an advanced diploma in addition to journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
This is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 22310, 72011, 72200, 72201, 72202, 72203, 72204, 72205, 74204, 90011, 92100.
Apprenticeship Training
The term of apprenticeship for an electrician is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of apprenticeship education in each of the first three years and a minimum of 1440 hours of on-the-job training and 12 weeks of apprenticeship education in the fourth year.
Year 1 | Period 1
You'll start by learning standard workplace safety. You will then learn circuit fundamentals, EMF sources, LAB fundamentals as well as Canadian electrical code part 1 and drawings.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You will learn about alternating currents, circuit properties, RLC circuits, heating and cooling systems, magnetic controls and switching circuits, as well as Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 plans and diagrams.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 3 | Period 3
You will learn three-phase principles, three-phase motor principles, transformers and Canadian electrical code.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 4 | Period 4
You will learn about machines, control and switching, PLC, fire alarm systems, applications of electronics, Canadian electrical code part 1 applications, and safety.
Training length: 8 weeks
Apprenticeship education performance
You must pass each section of the course and the AIT exam to succeed in apprenticeship education.
The passing grade for each period is no less than 50% in each course, with no less than a 65% average overall. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
View Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training procedures
Training pathways
You can earn your journeyperson designation in the following way.
The traditional training pathway begins with finding a job with an employer willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Once you are an apprentice, you'll alternate between on-the-job training and educational periods.
You must apply for an apprenticeship through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training before attending your first education period at SAIT.
Pre-employment pathway
SAIT’s Pre-employment Electrician program prepares you to enter an apprenticeship with hands-on skills. Upon successfully completing the program, you’ll qualify to challenge the first-year Electrician apprenticeship exam.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended requirements
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
MyTradeSecrets
Once you have begun working as an apprentice, you can attend SAIT to complete your technical training.
You'll register for technical training at SAIT on MyTradeSecrets or you can register by phone.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.
We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.
Submit a transfer credit application
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.
🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).
If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.
Thompson Rivers University
- Program name
- Electrician
- Available credits:
- 57
Thompson Rivers University
- Program name
- Bachelor of Technology: Trades and Technology Leadership
- Available credits:
- 60
Available intakes
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Books or modules, along with other items for classes, are approximately $600 per period.
We recommend you don't purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes, and they cannot be returned to the Bookstore.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
Funding options for apprentices
Apprentices get to learn while they earn, but there are still costs to consider. Many resources are available at SAIT and federally to help support apprentices.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact
Have more questions?
Apprenticeship training and registration
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.