Electrician Jobs in Canada 2022/2023 (Apply Now)

Canada is always likened to its neighbor, America, in terms of being a land of opportunity for job seekers, as many vacant positions need to be occupied.

Whether you are a Canadian citizen or a foreigner, the country ensures that both skilled and unskilled individuals are employed in other for them to earn a living and also foot their bills.

Canada is also known to be the second largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world which makes this sector to be a demanding one as it accounts for 59.3% of the country’s electricity consumption; a career in this field could be tasking but also rewarding for an individual that has an interest in this sector.

Types of electricians in Canada

Electricians in Canada are split into four different categories, namely:

1. Construction electrician
2. Industrial electrician
3. Powerline technician
4. Electric motor system technician

1. Construction electrician

A construction electrician is an individual that installs wiring after a building is partially built. They use blueprints and wiring diagrams when carrying out their duties; they are also tasked with assembling, installing, and wiring electrical systems in homes and buildings.

2. Industrial electrician

An industrial electrician could be described as an individual that works in diverse fields and is tasked with installing and repairing different electrical components and equipment to make sure that the needs of their employer are met; they are also responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of electrical components in an industrial setting.

3. Powerline technician 

A powerline technician could be described as an individual that is tasked with the responsibility of installing and maintaining electrical power lines.

A powerline technician must also have an in-depth understanding of electrical theory, electrical practices, and basic techniques/tools used as they work with live wires, which requires extreme caution when handling.

Powerline technicians perform additional duties, including operating construction equipment, testing electrical components, troubleshooting electrical problems, and installing home security systems.

4. Electric motor system technician 

An electric motor system technician could be referred to as a professional who tests, rebuild, and repairs electric motors, generators, controllers, transformers, and other related electrical/mechanical equipment used in industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations.

The above-listed are the four types of electricians recognized in Canada; however, an individual cannot become any of these four electricians if they are not Red Seal Certified.

What is a Red Seal Certification? 

A red seal certification or endorsement could be described as a seal on your provincial or territorial trade certificate, which can only be gotten after an individual has passed the red seal examination. However, individuals aspiring to a career in this sector must have completed a 4- or 5-year industrial apprenticeship program in a certified institution before becoming eligible for trade certification.

Qualifications to become an electrician in Canada.

1. Completion of an apprenticeship program
2. Ability to use essential tools and machinery
3. Ability to repair essential tools and machinery
4. Basic knowledge of building and construction
5. Basic knowledge of mathematics, which would help understand technical plans
6. Ability to pay thorough attention when carrying out duties
7. Possessing a problem-solving skill
8. Good cooperation skills to work in a group
9. Effective communication skills
10. Ability to work well with hands
11. Ability to carry out tasks on a computer or any hand-held device
12. Ability to ensure the safety of equipment when working

The above-listed basic qualifications could qualify an individual to become an electrician in Canada.

Pros and Cons of being an electrician in Canada

Pro 

1. No degree is required to become an electrician.
2. An added advantage of working and earning while still training
3. The sector is diverse and broad, which makes an individual learn different things
4. Competitive salary
5. An added advantage of being self-employed with the knowledge gained while working
6. A wide array of career paths is available in this sector
7. Job security is assured

Cons 

1. Apprenticeship takes years to complete
2. The work has a dangerous nature which requires a high level of cautiousness when carrying out your duties.
3. Working conditions are not assured (such as weather)
4. Electricians can’t work remotely as they have to be physically available wherever they are working
5. It Might have an adverse health effect on an individual when aging.

Notwithstanding the pros and cons of being an electrician and the challenging and rewarding nature of being one, an individual interested in this field would always see it as fun as they are prepared for it and must have also received the necessary training before becoming one.

Getting an electrician job in Canada is quite a commendable career path as this sector is in high demand and is also rewarding; electricians working in Canada could earn up to CAD 100,000 annually, depending on their experience and location in Canada.