Become an Electrician in Ontario

Finding an electrical apprenticeship job

Most employers prefer candidates with prior electrical experience or knowledge when hiring an apprentice. A great way to gain this is through a pre-apprenticeship program, which provides essential industry knowledge and skills sought by employers. The Electrical Technician Training course through ETCO is a high quality online pre-apprenticeship course designed specifically for the Canadian and US electrical industry.

What is an electrical apprenticeship in Ontario?

In Ontario, an electrical apprenticeship for both a Construction & Maintenance (C&M) 309A and an Industrial Electrician 442A, require 9000 hours of on the job training / work experience and 840 hours of in-school training. Both these apprenticeships take approximately 5 years to complete from start to finish.

C&M Electrician 309A vs Industrial Electrician 442A

Ontario has two main electrician licenses: the Construction and Maintenance (C&M) 309A license and the Industrial Electrician 442A license. Each offers its own advantages.

A Construction and Maintenance (C&M) electrician can work in various industries, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. They handle new system installations as well as troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs of existing systems. In Ontario, a valid 309A license is required to work as a C&M electrician.

An Industrial Electrician works exclusively in the industrial sector. They may perform tasks within a single facility for their employer or travel to various locations if employed by an OEM to service equipment. Their work often involves larger machinery, higher voltages, and control circuits, including PLC systems. In Ontario, a 442A Industrial Electrician license is not mandatory, but employees must be competent and have adequate training for their work.

The Electrical Technician Training and Advanced Electrical Training courses provide the knowledge required by most companies for their Industrial Electricians to have. These courses paired with adequate on the job training will provide a solid foundation for someone looking to become an electrician in the Industrial field.

Electrical Apprenticeship Alternative

An alternative to completing an electrical apprenticeship in Ontario is to complete a Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA). A TEA assess a persons past work experience and training to determine if it meets the level of experience and knowledge received through a standard apprenticeship. Someone with extensive electrical experience either from within Canada or coming from another country may want to look into a TEA. To ensure you have the best chance at passing your TEA you should have some formal electrical training. The Online Electrical Courses offered by ETCO such as the Electrical Technician Training Course will provide you with knowledge and a certificate of completion for proof of training for your TEA application.

Certificate of Qualification Exam

After completing your electrical apprenticeship or passing the Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA), you become eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam. This exam, typically lasting 3 to 4 hours, assesses all aspects of electrical knowledge. A significant portion focuses on the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), so thorough familiarity with its sections is essential.

After passing the C of Q you will become a licensed electrician in Ontario!

Not from Ontario?

Check out our Becoming an Electrician in Canada article!