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Overview
Learn how to install, repair, and maintain electrical systems. These systems provide heat, light and power.
On the job, you'll work to figure out where wires go. You'll read electrical and, mechanical plans, architectural plans, specifications and codes. You'll pull wires through installed conduits and other electrical conductor enclosures. You'll also maintain and install distribution and control equipment, such as switches, relays, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures.
You may even specialize in wind and solar or 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 motivated. They can work alone or alongside a team. They typically enjoy helping people. If you enjoy problem-solving and working with your hands, you'll do well in this line of work.
To succeed in this trade, you should:
- have decent math skills and mechanical ability
- 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 challenges
- be passionate about computers and technology
- pay attention to details
- 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 two years and a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of apprenticeship education in the third and fourth year.
Year 1 | Period 1
You'll start by developing foundational workplace skills, including safety awareness and the proper use of tools, equipment and measurement instruments. You'll also study key industry codes, bylaws and standards. Additionally, you’ll learn how to connect and analyze resistive circuits and identify, install, analyze and troubleshoot electrical systems.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You’ll learn how to connect and analyze resistive circuits and direct current (DC) circuits and single-phase alternating current (AC) circuits. You’ll also interpret key industry codes, bylaws and standards while gaining the skills to identify, install, analyze and troubleshoot electrical systems.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 3 | Period 3
You’ll learn how to connect and analyze resistive circuits, direct current (DC) circuits, three-phase and single-phase alternating current (AC) circuits. You’ll also interpret key industry codes, bylaws and standards while gaining the skills to identify, install, analyze and troubleshoot electrical systems.
Training length: 10 weeks
Year 4 | Period 4
You’ll learn how to connect and analyze resistive circuits, three-phase and single-phase alternating current (AC) circuits. You’ll also interpret key industry codes, bylaws and standards while gaining the skills to identify, install, analyze and troubleshoot electrical systems.
Training length: 10 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 have created transfer agreements with partner institutions to allow you to earn course credits toward your SAIT program based on your previously completed credentials.
Transfer Alberta search tool
Use the Transfer Alberta search tool to see all transfer agreements between Alberta post-secondary institutions (including those with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.)
Search transfer agreements in Alberta
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
When you have completed this program, you may continue your education at a partner post-secondary institution. These transfer agreements include partnerships within and/or outside of Canada.
Credits this program transfers to
- Available credits:
- 57
- Available credits:
- 60
Available intakes
Costs
2025/26 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2025.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with standard computer hardware and software requirements. 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.