Available Intakes
Overview
Learn how to install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises.
On the job, you'll begin by reading and interpreting electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings, specifications and applicable code to determine wiring layouts. Next, you'll cut, thread, bend, assemble and install conduits and other types of electrical conductor enclosures, pull wire through conduits and holes in walls and floors as well as position, maintain and install distribution and control equipment such as switches, relays, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures.
You'll also install, replace, maintain and repair electrical systems. You'll form circuits by splicing, joining and connecting wire before testing the circuits to ensure integrity and safety.
You may specialize in renewable energy – such as wind and solar – and 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).
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice who is working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson, or you must be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Is this the right fit for me?
Electricians are individuals who are self-motivated, can work alone or alongside a team and enjoy assisting people. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy problem-solving and working with their hands.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- have strong math skills
- be a team player and self-motivated worker
- be willing to keep learning with Alberta code updates and new industry developments
- ability to differentiate colors for working with color-coded wiring
- enjoy problem-solving and finding solutions
- have a passion for technology and be proficient with computers
- take pride in producing high-quality, precise work
- excellent communication skills with team members, customers and managers
- committed to maintaining health and safety standards
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Electricians are a Red Seal Endorsed trade –a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
As an electrician, you will often work in construction or maintenance for contractors, manufacturers or resource companies and will be required to do a variety of electrical work in residential, commercial and industrial structures. Each job will be a new challenge for you and may require you to work indoors or outdoors on scaffolding or in confined and restricted locations.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may become a foreperson, superintendent, estimator, electrical inspector, technical instructor or move into other management positions.
Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
In Alberta, a valid master electrician identification number is required for permits before electrical work can begin on any project. Alberta-certified electricians may apply to the Alberta Safety Codes Council to become a master electrician following three years of certification. At SAIT, we help you become a master electrician with our Masters Code and Applied Theory course.
Tuition and fees 2023/24
- Period 1: $1,375
- Period 2: $1,375
- Period 3: $1,375
- Period 4: $1,939
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
The rewarding world of skills #HereAtSAIT
Two apprentices share why they chose a career in the trades and a snapshot of their learning pathway to journeyperson at SAIT.
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 path
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
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 11, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 or 3 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 4 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Nov. 17, 2023 |
| 4* | Sept. 25, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1, 2* or 3* | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1, 2 or 3 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 |
| 4 | Jan. 2, 2024 | March 22, 2024 |
| 4** | Jan. 2, 2024 | May 24, 2024 |
| 1, 2 or 3 | Feb. 26, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| 4 | March 25, 2024 | June 14, 2024 |
| 1, 2 or 3 | April 29, 2024 | June 21, 2024 |
*Standard Class or Blended Learning available.
**Distance delivery intake. Apprentices may complete theory modules outside the classroom but must attend campus for a period of time, during the day or evenings, to complete the lab and practical requirements. Learn more about distance training.
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
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 three years and a minimum of 1440 hours of on-the-job training and 12 weeks of apprenticeship education in the fourth year.
You will start by learning standard workplace safety. You will then learn circuit fundamentals, EMF sources, LAB fundamentals as well as Canadian electrical code part 1 and drawings.
You will learn about alternating currents, circuit properties, RLC circuits, heating and cooling systems, magnetic controls and switching circuits as well as Canadian electrical code part 1/plans and diagrams.
You will learn three-phase principles, three-phase motor principles, transformers and Canadian electrical code.
You will learn machines, control and switching, PLC, fire alarm systems, applications of electronics as well as Canadian electrical code part 1 applications and safety.
Apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees*
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023.
| Period | Number of weeks | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 2 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 3 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 4 | 12 | $1,584 | $247 | $108 | $1,939 |
Fees breakdown
| SAIT fees | Cost per period |
|---|---|
| Lab and materials fee | $90 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 |
| Campus recreation fee | $51.50 |
| Total | $247 |
Saitsa fee per week: $9
Learn more about what your fees are for
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not 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 will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
