Electrician Jobs Offer Viable and Sustainable Career Opportunities
Although there might be some lingering controversy surrounding who should be credited for the discovery and harnessing of electrical power, there can be little to no doubt about the impact of these innovations throughout the world today. The immediate availability of electricity, essentially at the flip of a switch, has created a cornucopia of opportunities and conveniences for most of the world’s population that would have been inconceivable to the pioneers of this science.
The development of electricity and its widespread applications has also created another practicality that was likely unimaginable during its infancy; the need for qualified people to install and maintain the wiring and control equipment through which electricity flows.
In fundamental terms, it generated (pun intended) a need for electricians, and based on society’s dependence on electricity in virtually every aspect of life today, electrician jobs are here to stay; thus, anyone looking to pursue a trade as a viable career opportunity may have an interest in how to become an electrician in Ontario, or anywhere in Canada for that matter if location/province of residence is not an issue.
While some may believe that they can acquire sufficient knowledge to perform electrical work from a high school elective or an online do-it-yourself manual, there is considerably more study and structure involved in how to become a licensed electrician in Ontario. To begin, the minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma, including credits in Grade 12 English, Math, and Physics; many candidates will also elect to subsequently enrol in electrician programs at accredited post-secondary institutes throughout Ontario, such as Centennial and Humber Colleges in the Toronto area, in order to kick-start their eventual career as an electrician and/or concentrate in a particular area of specialization.
Whether right after high school or subsequent to a post-secondary diploma, candidates must participate in and complete an electrical apprenticeship that requires 9000 hours or approximately five years to complete; these apprenticeships are typically supervised by master electricians, i.e. individuals with an electrician’s certification in good standing, at least three years of experience in the electrical industry, and who have achieved a grade of 75% or greater on the master electrician certification examination.
Electrician apprentices receive compensation throughout the course of this period, with their annual salary dependent on the type of work, the employer, collective agreements, and local economic conditions in various parts of Ontario.
Electrician jobs can be done either indoors or outdoors and are generally a 40-hour work week; the types of work are usually delineated via the following categories:
- Line Work – restricted to the utility sector and the high-voltage sector
- Residential – the housing sector, with the exclusion of high-rise buildings
- Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) – construction and maintenance
With respect to their daily tasks, electricians may be involved in the following activities:
- The loading and/or removal of building materials
- Planning and measuring based on job specifications
- Installing lights, wiring, fixtures, electrical panels, etc.
- Diagnosing faulty systems and performing any repairs
- Preparing cost estimates based on materials and labour
- Installing finishing materials and cleaning up the job site
- Testing electrical systems to ensure compliance with codes
Electrician jobs are physically demanding and mentally stimulating, while also offering a sustainable career path. Upon becoming a licensed electrician and gaining several years of experience in their chosen field, individuals can pursue a wider range of opportunities or roles such as foreman, estimator, project manager, or safety inspector.
Skills Required for Electrician Jobs in Toronto
Installation & Safety Knowledge
This is one of the essential technical skills you need to learn during the training period and use on the job every day. Here are some of the basic skills you need to get an electrician job in Toronto:
- Ability to read blueprints
- Knowledge to interpret the rules and regulations of the Ontario Building Code
- Knowledge to interpret the Canadian Electrical Code (ECE)
- Ability to use power tools
- Understanding to install switching devices, tubing, cables, and conduits
- Skills to plan and complete an electrical installation for a building
- Knowledge of the safety rules and procedures based on the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Problem-Solving
The skill to solve challenges at the workplace can land you good electrician jobs in Toronto. You need to diagnose a problem and provide the best solution logically. You need to follow step-by-step procedures learnt during training and implement them by taking safety as the first priority.
Here are some common issues that you might encounter:
- Why does the circuit breaker keep tripping?
- Why is the outlet sparking?
- What is the most cost-effective and safest way to wire this building?
Manual Dexterity & Good Vision
This skill is related to your fine motor skills and helps you become precise while moving around and lifting things to get the job done. It involves eye and hand coordination and working with small tools and objects. You need a good vision and a steady hand to accomplish a task. You can wear glasses, but you can’t be colour blind as it is crucial to understand the difference between red and blue wiring that can save a life.
Physical Abilities
This does not mean you need to be in the best shape to be a good electrician. However, you must be comfortable in doing activities including:
- Crouching and bending
- Climbing up and down stairs, ladders, and scaffolding
- Lifting heavy weights
- Standing for long periods
- Squeezing into tight corners and small spaces
The essential thing is that electrician jobs require you to have high stamina and be active all day long.
Flexibility
Like many other job positions, electrician jobs require working on-call or in shifts. You need to be prepared to work on an emergency basis, work overtime and deal with last-minute challenges. Electricians do not usually work from 9 to 5. Thus, flexibility is key to building a successful career.
Basic Math
If you want to be successful as an electrician, you have to be good at handling basic math. You just need to have simple algebra and arithmetic skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division learnt in elementary or middle school. When you study electrical circuits, you will find that a solid math foundation is significantly helpful.
Teamwork
Many electrician jobs require working in a team. You will collaborate with plumbers, carpenters, welders, and other general contractors to complete various projects. At the beginning of your career, you must report to a project manager or supervisor. As you gain experience and handle a senior position, you might have to train freshers hired for electrician apprentice jobs. You have to be good at communicating, be patient and friendly, and work as a team player for a thriving career.
A Professional Staffing Agency Can Help You Become an Apprentice Electrician
As suggested above, theoretical knowledge and classroom studies are only a part of how to become an electrician anywhere in Canada; it is the apprenticeship stage that delivers the practical experience required for long-term success in any electrician jobs. And while it can take five years to complete this stage, a more pressing question for many aspiring electricians may revolve around how to even get started in the first year of any electrical apprentice jobs.
While some electrician programs in Ontario post-secondary institutions may facilitate the acquisition and participation in apprenticeships by their graduating students, there may be some limitations to both the number and the variety of these opportunities. Another option for budding electrical apprentices to enhance their chances for employment would be to register with a professional staffing agency that specializes in the electrical sector; one such organization is Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto.
As a leading recruiter within the electrical field for the past 45 years, Winters Technical Staffing has developed an extensive network of contacts with employers/companies who require skilled electricians and consequently offer related apprenticeships as a means of securing such talent; and, as an added benefit to candidates, these working relationships can provide access to apprenticeship opportunities that might not be advertised and/or available to the general public.
To learn more about the areas of specialization within Winters Technical Staffing relative to electrician jobs, please visit
Contact Winters Today
Looking for employment as a certified electrician or electrical apprentice? Call the job placement specialists at Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto at 416-495-7422 today or contact us to request a no-obligation consultation about potential opportunities with your chosen profession.
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