How to Succeed as an Electrician in Alberta
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an electrician, there is plenty of electrical work in Edmonton. There are many companies involved in wiring new homes from top to bottom, and rewiring and upgrading electrical panels in existing residential and multi-family homes. In this post, we will outline the steps needed to gain electrical certification and identify other important characteristics that can help you succeed in this trade.
What Does an Electrician Do?
As an apprentice electrician, you will develop a variety of skills needed to perform electrical work during the first four years of training and during your advanced training as a journeyman. As an electrical maintenance technician, you are expected to perform the following general duties:
Gain experience in reading blueprints
Install and repair electrical cables
Inspect electrical equipment and identify any hazards
Adhere to provincial and Canadian electrical codes
Use electrical equipment to identify electrical faults
Install and maintain fiber optic systems
Ensure the safety of electrical circuits
What Are the Eligibility Requirements to Become an Electrical Apprentice?
In order to qualify for an electrical apprenticeship program in Alberta, you must meet the following requirements:
Have Canadian citizenship, hold permanent resident status or have a work permit
Have a high school diploma
Find an employer who is willing to take you on as an electrical apprentice
Register your apprenticeship contract with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
About Your Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship typically lasts for four years. It will comprise eight weeks of classroom instruction and a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training each year from the 1st year to the 3rd year of your apprenticeship. In the fourth year, you are expected to complete 12 weeks of classroom instruction and a minimum of 1440 hours of on-the-job training. Most of your training will cover entry-level work to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge of the industry.
In order to graduate from the apprenticeship program, you must also take the provincial exam.
Journeyperson Certification
Once you have completed your apprenticeship and received your electrician certification, you will undergo advanced training with a master electrician to further develop your skills. To earn your journeyperson certificate, you must work for a minimum of 72 months and complete 9180 hours of work experience.
Work With a Reputable Company
As an apprentice electrician in the workplace, you will be supervised by a certified journeyman. It is important to work with a reputable company to get the most out of your apprenticeship and develop good electrician skills. Having a master electrician on the crew with advanced training will also provide an invaluable learning opportunity for you.
Find out if the company has a history of training apprentices and talk to other apprentices and journeymen about their own experiences.
Characteristics of a Good Apprentice
When taking on an apprentice, a potential employer is looking for the following characteristics:
Someone who is productive and stays focused on tasks,
Who exhibits a passion for the trade,
And an ability to manage themselves and show initiative when appropriate.
By exhibiting these qualities during your period of apprenticeship, you stand a good chance of gaining permanent employment with the company.
Have a Passion For the Trade
A career as an electrician can be highly satisfying. If you have good problem-solving skills and communicate well, this may be a good option for you.
A key benefit of the job is that it is varied; the job sites change, as do the clients, which makes for an interesting career. In time, you may also wish to start your own business.
There are lots of jobs in St. Albert, AB if you are interested in working in the residential and commercial electrical trade. Check out this post on how to find electrician jobs in St. Albert.
Prioritize Customer Satisfaction
If you live in a small community, you know that referrals are vital to the success of a small business. If you want to be successful as an electrician, you must prioritize customer satisfaction. It can be hard to find good electricians and customers expect efficiency, reliability, and honesty in the contractors they hire. It is the attention to detail that counts when considering customer satisfaction so pay careful attention to the following:
Show respect for your client's time
Be courteous throughout your interaction
Be considerate of the client's home
Perform work with minimal disruption
Customers who receive good service and feel valued are likely to call you again. They will also refer you to friends and neighbours as a contractor they can trust.
Your Friendly Edmonton AB Electrical Contractors
At MMi Electrical, we have over 18 years of experience servicing homes and businesses in Edmonton and the surrounding areas.
If you are looking to hire an experienced Master Electrician in the Edmonton area, give us a call.