Electrician Foundation

The 24-week Electrician Foundation (pre-apprenticeship) program will give you the skills, knowledge and training you need to enter the electrical trade and covers all the competencies for Level 1 (Common Core) of the four level Electrician Apprenticeship program. You will learn about applying circuit concepts, interpreting plans, drawings and specifications, using the Canadian Electrical Code, and installing and maintaining single-phase metering equipment, protective devices, low voltage distribution systems, grounding and bonding systems, cables and enclosures, branch circuitry systems and communication systems. The program includes classroom theory and practical hands-on experience in a state -of -the -art electrical concepts lab and experiential learning space in our shop setting. Safe work habits are emphasized, reinforced and practiced throughout the program.

In this program, you will learn about:

• Applying circuit concepts
• Performing safety related functions
• Using tools and equipment
• Organized work
• Communication and mentoring techniques
• Installing and maintaining consumer/supply services and metering equipment
• Installing and maintaining protection devices
• Installing and maintaining bonding, grounding, and ground fault detection systems
• Installing and maintaining raceways, cables and enclosures
• Installing and maintaining branch circuitry
• Installing and maintaining communication systems

For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training see: Electrician Foundation Program Outline

You will also take:

• Occupational First Aid Level 1
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems

*Students must complete Occupational First Aid Level 1 within the program or have a current Occupational First Aid Level 1 certificate valid to the end of the program.

When you successfully finish the program you will receive:

• Level 1 Technical Training credit from Industry Training Authority (ITA) of the 4 Level Construction/Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship program
• 350 work-based Training hours
• Certificate of Completion Electrician Foundation (Industry Training Authority)
• College of the Rockies Certificate

Prerequisites:

• Secondary school graduation or equivalent, or completion of a College of the Rockies assessment to an acceptable level.

The following education is highly recommended for student success within the program:

• Recent secondary school graduate (within the past 5 years)
• Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10.  Either Pre-Calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-Calculus 12, Calculus 12, Geometry 12, or equivalent; or for those who completed math in BC before 2018 curriculum change, either Principles of Math 11, Principles of Math 12, Pre-Calculus 11, Pre-Calculus 12, or equivalent

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Should be physically fit (mobility and lifting)
• Should have good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination and balance
• Must be able to work at heights and in adverse weather
• Must be prepared for the following risks: dust, fumes, noise and vibration

If you are a high school student, contact the counseling office at your high school for information on how to become a Youth Train in Trades student and get a jump-start on your trades training while you complete your high school diploma. Learn more about the Youth Train in Trades program.

Tuition and Fees:

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Student Costs for Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies:

• Safety glasses
• Steel-toed leather work boots
• Close fitting work gloves
• Reference manuals
• Pens, pencils, coloured pencils (erasable preferred), ruler
• Three ring binder with lined, unlined and graph paper
• Non-programmable scientific calculator (instructors and ITA use a Sharp EL-520X xxx)

Why Choose a Career as an Electrician?

• It’s an in demand trade!
• According to the British Columbia Labour Market Outlook: 2021 Edition there will be 3,740 job openings for Electricians and 1,280 openings for Industrial Electricians by 2031.
• According to Work BC you can earn up to $40.25 per hour as an Electrician and up to $46.00 per hour as an Industrial Electrician!

After graduating from the Electrician program, you can explore a wide variety of career opportunities with:

• Electrical contractors
• Building maintenance departments
• Construction companies
• Building manufacturers
• Plants and factories
• Visit the Canada Job Bank to search for available jobs

Experienced electricians can become supervisors or managers – or you can even start your own electrician business! The electrical industry is always changing with new technologies, so if you’re looking for a career that is flexible and challenging, being an electrician is a life-long rewarding career.