An apprenticeship is the pathway to a rewarding career in the electrical trade. As an apprentice, you take classes and learn your trade by working under the direction of experienced professionals – and get paid while you do it. It takes approximately five years to complete an apprenticeship. Once you complete the apprenticeship requirements, you can challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam. A successful completion of this exam ensures your status as a certified electrical journeyperson for life.
Do you have good communication and reading skills? Are you in good shape and like to work with your hands? Do you enjoy using tools, figuring out plans and solving problems? If you answer yes to these questions then a career as an Electrician could be right for you.
Electricians prepare, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, control devises, fixtures and related equipment in all types of buildings.
Please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions section below, which lays out the step-by-step process on becoming an electrician. You can click here to review the Apprenticeship website in Ontario which provides a complete overview of Ontario’s system for Apprentices. For additional information please contact the ECA Ottawa office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1 – You must have achieved your Grade 12 diploma or equivalency.
Step 2 – When the application process opens, fill in the online application.
Step 3 – Upload your resume and government photo ID including your contractor supporter.
Step 4 – Upon the acceptance of your application you will be invited, via email, to challenge the Aptitude Test.
Step 5 – With the successful completion of the Aptitude Test you are ready to start your Apprenticeship.
An electrical apprenticeship requires you to complete 9000 hours of on the job training (approximately 5 years) as well as complete 4 levels of Ministry approved trade school. Once your apprenticeship is complete you are invited to write the certification exam. Upon successful completion you will be a qualified electrician.
- Motivated, physically fit, and mechanically inclined are all good qualities to have when applying for an apprenticeship position.
- Completed High School Diploma
(After 1984- 30 credits/ Prior to 1984-27 credits) - Official transcript including the following: Grade 12 Math and Grade 12 English
- Typed resume with references
Note: A “GED” (General Education Development) Certificate may be accepted in special situations as a substitute for the diploma only. Please contact the JAC.
We suggest that you contact one of the following services in order to obtain the needed course(s):
- Your local Secondary School for information regarding night school
- Local school Board for Continuing Education
- Department for Adult Education Centres.
Step 1 − Apply online.
Step 2 − Upload all required documentation.
Step 3 − Write and pass the Aptitude Test with 70% in each category.
Step 4 − Contractor calls for a new start.
The Ministry of Labour requires apprentices to attend 4-levels of trade school. Apprentices are still required to work until they receive an invitation from the Ministry to attend trade school. This will take place approximately every 2,000 hours but can fluctuate. The Local and Joint Apprenticeship Council will sponsor your apprenticeship.
There is no defined amount of time that this process may take. Once you are pass the aptitide test, and interview you are eligible to begin your apprenticeship.
There are several fields in which an electrician might work provided they have the appropriate certification:
- ICI Sector – Work in this sector is Industrial, Commercial and Institutional. This is referred to as a Construction and Maintenance Electrician. It includes nuclear plants, mines, hospitals, schools, hi rise office buildings, hi rise residences and much more.
- Low Rise Residential Sector – This sector is restricted to housing excluding high rise residential buildings.
- Lineworkers – This sector is restricted to the high voltage and the utility sectors.
- Communications – A sector focused on low voltage such as communications, network, and security cabling/
What is involved to become an Electrical Apprentice in Ontario?
You will need a Grade 12 diploma, government ID and a SIN card. You will be required to physically be able to perform the requirements of electrical construction work. You will then need to complete the application process online followed by taking and passing the Aptitude Test and a short interview. Also, the electrical apprenticeship requires you to complete 9000 hours of on the job training (approx 5 years) as well as complete 4 levels of a Ministry-approved trade school. You need to complete all of this prior to writing the certification exam to become a full journeyperson, able to work across Canada.
The LAC (Local Apprenticeship Council) and JAC (Joint Apprenticeship Council) is the administrators of all apprentices in the greater Ottawa area. The Local Apprenticeship Committee (LAC) runs under the direction and administration of Ottawa’s Electrical Contractors Association and the IBEW. (Local Union 586 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). They are your sponsor throughout your apprenticeship.
Placements for the JAC are within the jurisdiction of Local 586. The city of Ottawa, the counties of Prescott and Russell, and counties of Lanark and Renfrew in Ontario as well as the counties of Hull, Papineau, Gatineau, and Pontiac in Quebec. You can work in most environments including indoors or outdoors. You must provide your own transportation to the job site.
Please contact the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW 586) or the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Apprenticeship Branch.
You can obtain your transcript from the school board in your country of origin or contact your local embassy for help. Your marks must also be translated and assessed.
Please contact:
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS): 1-800-321-6021
Email: info@icascanada.ca
Website: www.icascanada.ca
Ask for Comprehensive Report and state it is for the JAC application process.
You can find out more by contacting the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities
Skilled Trades Ontario – www.skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/
Electrician – Construction & Maintenance 309A
Electrician – Domestic and Rural 309C
Electrician – Industrial 442A
ECA Ottawa – 613-238-1124
IBEW Local 586 – 613-741-5664