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Electrician Apprenticeship

The Electrician Apprenticeship program prepares you to become a journeyman electrician. The term of apprenticeship for an electrician is 4 years (four 12-month periods). Electricians work for construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies, and other large organizations. Electricians may advance to careers such as foreman, superintendent, estimator, electrical inspector, technical instructor, or move into a management role. You too, can enter the electrical trade with the confidence and knowledge gained in the apprenticeship programs and Northern Lakes College.

We offer the following Electrician apprenticeships:

  • Electrician Apprenticeship First Period
  • Electrician Apprenticeship Second Period
  • Electrician Apprenticeship Third Period
  • Electrician Apprenticeship Fourth Period

All face-to-face lab components are completed at the Slave Lake Trades and Technology Centre. Student housing is available.

Not sure where to start in your trades’ career? See the Trade Pathways document to help you determine where to begin. 

Program Dates

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Electrician Apprenticeship First Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - October 28, 2024 - December 20, 2024

Electrician Apprenticeship Second Period 
Onsite: Slave Lake - September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024

Electrician Apprenticeship Third Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - January 20, 2025 - March 14, 2025

Electrician Apprenticeship Fourth Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - March 31, 2025 - June 27, 2025

Applicants qualified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training may apply up to 1 week prior to the program start date.

Areas of Study

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The Electrician Apprenticeship First Period program will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the electrical trade. Electrician courses include:

  • Workplace Safety
  • Circuit Fundamentals
  • EMF Sources
  • Lab Fundamentals
  • Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Part 1 and Drawings
  • Lab/Shop

Electrician Apprenticeship Second Period courses include:

  • Alternating Current Circuit Properties
  • RLC Circuits
  • Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Magnetic Control and Switching Circuits
  • Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 - Plans and Diagrams
  • Lab/Shop

The Electrician Apprenticeship Third Period courses include:

  • Three - Phase Principles
  • Three - Phase Motor Principles
  • Transformers
  • Canadian Electrical Code
  • Lab/Shop

The Electrician Apprenticeship Fourth Period courses include:

  • Machines
  • Control and Switching / PLC
  • Fire Alarm Systems and Red Seal Program and Industry Network
  • Applications of Electronics
  • Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 - Applications and Safety
  • Lab/Shop

See the electrician occupational profile on Alis Alberta.

Career Potential

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Electricians work for construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies, and other large organizations. They must be willing to go where the work exists. Membership in a trade union is voluntary; however, some contractors employ only union people. Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $30 to $50 per hour and may include benefits. Electricians may advance to positions such as foreman, superintendent, estimator, electrical inspector, technical instructor, or move into a management role. Some electricians start their own contracting businesses. In Alberta, a valid Master Electrician Identification Number is required to pull electrical work permits. Alberta-certified electricians may apply to the Alberta Safety Codes Council to become Master Electricians following three years of certification.

Further Educational Opportunities

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Once you have your Journeyman Certificate, you can pursue becoming Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsed or an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate. Continuing Education & Corporate Training and Business & Administrative Studies programs offer management courses for Blue Seal. Journeyperson Electricians can become Master Electricians. Electricians often take further training to gain additional expertise in variable frequency drives, code upgrades, cathodic protection, and alternative energy installation. This dynamic and continually changing trade often requires updating.