Career Overview
Electricians prepare, make, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring and electrical systems for buildings and other structures. They work on many tasks, including layout and planning of wiring to installation to finding and repairing circuits and electrical devices.
Electricians typically work for electrical contractors or building maintenance departments. Or they may be self-employed. People in this career have an interest in mechanical process and wiring and they must be detailed and exact in their work.
Job Titles
Duties
Electricians:
- Read and understand drawings, circuit diagrams and electrical code specifications for wiring layouts
- Install conduits on a range of surfaces to route electrical conductors
- Pull wire through walls and floors
- Install brackets and hangers to support electrical equipment
- Install or repair various pieces of electrical components, including lighting fixtures and equipment, switches and circuit breakers
- Splice, join and connect wires to fixtures and components
- Test the connection of circuits to ensure that an electrical system is safe and compatible
- Troubleshoot and repair problems in electrical systems
- Connect electrical power to audio and visual communication equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
- Run preventive maintenance programs and keep records
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
15,320% Employed Full Time
51%Electricians typically work 40 hours per week. Overtime may be required, depending on the project, deadline, employer and other factors. Electricians usually work indoors, often on a construction site or in a home.
People with this job may need to work from heights or in small spaces. Heavy lifting may be needed, and the work can be physically demanding. Safety is a priority and precautions are followed to reduce the risks of injury from accidental electric shocks and falls from heights.
Depending on the project, some electricians work with other trades on construction/development sites. Others, especially those working on smaller residential projects or repairs, may deal directly with customers.
Career Pathways
As with many trades, apprentices are chosen from existing employees, such as construction labourers. Experienced electricians can move up to supervisory positions as foreperson, superintendent, estimator or electrical inspector. Some experienced electricians may choose to start their own businesses.
Electricians may also decide to work as industrial electricians. This requires further education and is generally considered to be a job change rather than a career advancement.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Many employers prefer candidates who are certified. Those with a secondary school diploma or who have graduated from a post-secondary foundational program should have English 12 or equivalent. Having Physics 11 and Pre-Calculus Math is also an asset.
Certification is not required to work as an electrician in B.C. Those who wish to be certified must complete a four-year apprenticeship program. The B.C. government is introducing skilled trades certification beginning with a total of 10 trades, including construction electricians. Certification will be implemented in phases between 2022 and 2024. Learn more about skilled trades certification.
Depending on the project, workers may need to have an electrical installation permit with Technical Safety BC.
Apprenticeship programs
Work experience and in-class instruction are part of apprenticeship programs. Some part-time and online programs may be available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Workers with significant experience in the trade may be able to challenge the certification exam to earn the Certificate of Qualification without completing a formal apprenticeship. For more information on earning a Certificate of Qualification, visit SkilledTradesBC.
To work in other provinces
Electricians may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned by passing an exam and proving significant work experience.
Workers coming to B.C.
Electricians who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.
Workers who trained outside of Canada
Electricians who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Electrical Related

Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
15,320Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 435 | 2.8% |
Kootenay | 445 | 2.9% |
Mainland/Southwest | 9,060 | 59.1% |
North Coast and Nechako | 245 | 1.6% |
Northeast | 220 | 1.4% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 2,090 | 13.6% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 2,825 | 18.4% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
4,280Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 90 | 1.1% |
Kootenay | 80 | 0.0% |
Mainland/Southwest | 2,870 | 1.8% |
North Coast and Nechako | 10 | -0.4% |
Northeast | 40 | 0.8% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 720 | 1.3% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 460 | 0.3% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
---|---|
Construction | 3,630 |
Health Care and Social Assistance | 100 |
Educational Services | 90 |
Transportation and Warehousing | 90 |
Public Administration | 70 |
Insights from Industry
Growth in the construction industry affects opportunities for work as an electrician. Residential construction is expected to slow down in the short term, while industrial and commercial construction is expected to remain stable. There will continue to be demand for electricians.
In general, those working as maintenance electricians tend to find steadier employment than construction electricians. Often, employment in the construction industry is project-based, so workers may have breaks between projects.
Electricians are starting to work with alternative energy supplies, such as solar power, wind power and fuel cells. They may also work with wiring for smart homes and automated systems for high-tech industries. Electricians who specialize in new technologies are expected to be in demand.
Resources
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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British Columbia Electrical Association (BCEA)www.bcea.bc.ca/
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BuildForce Canadawww.buildforce.ca/en
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Careers in Constructionwww.careersinconstruction.ca
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Electrical Joint Training Committeewww.ejtc.org
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Red Seal Programwww.red-seal.ca/eng/welcome.shtml
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Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)www.stepbc.ca
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
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Technical Safety BCwww.technicalsafetybc.ca
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Trades Training BCwww.tradestrainingbc.ca
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Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA)vrca.ca