Electrician
Program Description
Apprenticeship is post-secondary education with a slight deviation from the normal experience. Apprenticeship begins with finding an employer. Employers hire apprentices and enter into an Apprenticeship Agreement to support and tutor the apprentice while working towards their Journeyperson status. Approximately 80% of an apprentice’s time is spent on the job under the tutelage of a certified journeyperson. The other 20% involved attending technical training at their technical training provider of choice – such as Keyano College.
To become certified journeypersons, apprentices must learn theory and skills, and they must pass examinations. Requirements for certification; including the content and delivery of technical training are developed and updated by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.
The term of an electrician apprenticeship is four years (four 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training in each of the first three years; 1,350 of on-the-job training and 12 weeks of technical training in the fourth year.
Admission Requirements
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Either: Physics, Chemistry or Science 30
- Related Career and Technology Studies Courses
Career Opportunities
Electricians are employed by construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies and other large organizations. Experienced Electricians may advance to supervisory, estimator, electrical inspector positions or start their own contracting business.
Program Outcomes
Graduates from the program will be able to:
- Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of electrical theory and its application to lighting, power and control equipment
- Layout and install the various electrical circuits in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional complexes and buildings
- Implement the instructions given in plans and specifications pertaining to electrical installations
- Be capable of trouble shooting and maintaining electrical systems and equipment
- Be familiar with the work of other tradespeople in the construction industry and with the different types of building construction
- Competently use the test instructions and various tools necessary to perform tasks
- Perform assigned tasks in accordance with quality and production standards required by industry
Program Structure
| Section Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
First Period
|
240 | |
| Section One | Circuit Fundamentals | 80 |
| Section Two | EMF Sources | 26 |
| Section Three | Lab Fundamentals | 69 |
| Section Four | Canadian Electrical Code Part I and Blueprints | 65 |
Second Period
|
240 | |
| Section One | Alternating Current (ac) Circuit Properties | 36 |
| Section Two | RLC Circuits | 74 |
| Section Three | Canadian Electrical Code Part 1/Plans and Diagrams | 55 |
| Section Four | Heating and Cooling Controls | 33 |
| Section Five | Magnetic Control and Switching Circuits | 42 |
Third Period
|
240 | |
| Section One | Three Phase Principles | 76 |
| Section Two | Three Phase Power Measurement and Power Factor Correction | 22 |
| Section Three | Three Phase Motor Principles | 66 |
| Section Four | Transformers | 32 |
| Section Five | Canadian Electrical Code/Workplace Coaching Skills and Advisory Network | 44 |
Fourth Period
|
360 | |
| Section One | Electrical Theory Review | 12 |
| Section Two | Direct Current (dc) Machines | 37 |
| Section Three | Alternating Current (ac) Machines | 40 |
| Section Four | Control and Switching - PLC | 57 |
| Section Five | Fire Alarm Systems | 30 |
| Section Six | Electronics | 92 |
| Section Seven | Candian Electrical Code Part 1 Applications & Safety | 92 |