Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) (NOC 7241)
Description
Electricians lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related equipment in buildings and other structures. They are employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of buildings and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
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Example Titles
- apprentice electrician
- construction electrician
- construction electrician apprentice
- domestic and rural electrician
- electrician
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Classified Elsewhere
- Electrical Mechanics (7333)
- Industrial Electricians (7242)
- Power System Electricians (7243)
- Supervisors of electricians (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations)
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Duties
Electricians in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Read and interpret drawings, circuit diagrams and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts for new or existing installations
- Pull wire through conduits and through holes in walls and floors
- Install brackets and hangers to support electrical equipment
- Install, replace and repair lighting fixtures and electrical control and distribution equipment, such as switches, relays and circuit breaker panels
- Splice, join and connect wire to fixtures and components to form circuits
- Test continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure compatibility and safety of system, following installation, replacement or repair
- Troubleshoot and isolate faults in electrical and electronic systems and remove and replace faulty components
- Connect electrical power to sound and visual communication equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
- Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.
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Skills
Electricians need the following skills and abilities:
Essential Skills:
- good organizational skills
- good oral communication skills
- good eyesight, colour vision, hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity
- good problem solving skills
- good physical strength and stamina
- ability to work at heights or in confined spaces
- ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Technical Skills:
- general mechanical ability
- ability to read blueprints and technical specifications
- ability to operate power tools and equipment
- ability to operate computerized equipment
- knowledge of safe operating procedures.
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Employment Requirements
- In order to work as a construction electrician in Manitoba, you must be a registered apprentice or have a Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson construction electrician and hold a Journeyperson Electrician Licence (licensed under "The Electricians' Licence Act").
- Completion of Grade 12 is usually required.
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Terms & Conditions
Electricians usually work indoors in buildings that are being constructed or altered. Electricians spend much of their time standing and they need to take precautions to avoid injury from electric shock.
Electricians normally have to travel to the job site which could be a considerable distance from home. Electricians can work on their own or as part of a construction team.
Work is usually project based. The majority of electricians in Manitoba work full time (93%), however there may be periods of unemployment between projects. Most electricians work a 40-hour week, although overtime is fairly common.
In Manitoba the majority of electricians (81%) are employed by construction companies or organizations providing building maintenance services. The remainder (20%) are self employed.
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Earnings
$29,100 per annum - starting
$49,000 per annum - average
$68,600 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- To become a certified Electrician, apprenticeship training must be completed that combines on-the-job (practical) experience and in-school (technical) training. Contact the Apprenticeship Branch for more information and program requirements. http://www.apprenticemanitoba.ca
The following post-secondary institutions offer related training in this field:
- Assiniboine Community College offers a nine-month Construction Electrician certificate program. Students who complete this program with a 70% average may receive credit for up to 900 hours towards the four-year apprenticeship program. http://public.assiniboine.net/Default.aspx?tabID=84&prgID=56
- The University College of the North offers a Basic Electrical certificate program. Any individual who successfully completes this program with a passing grade of 70% or more and registers as an apprentice within two years of completing this program will receive credit for Level 1 in-class academic training of the Apprenticeship program. The University College of the North also offers a two-year diploma program in Electrical/Electronic Technology and a ten-month Preparation for Technology program. http://is-8668.ucn.ca/webpages/xml/xml_output/2009_6_28/Program_List_1248805873464.xml
- Red River College offers a one-year Electrical certificate program. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills required for employment in the electrical industry. Graduates of this program may challenge the Apprenticeship and Training Level 1 and 2 entrance tests. Red River College also has a two-year diploma program in Electronic Engineering Technology. Students who are interested in further studies towards a degree in engineering may be able to transfer credit to the University of Manitoba or to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramInfo.aspx?RegionCode=WPG&ProgCode=ELECF-CT
- Winnipeg Technical College Offers a program in Electrical Applications. This program features a four-week work placement where students gain valuable on-the-job training and experience. Students who complete this program with an average of 70% or more will receive credit for Level 1 in-school Apprenticeship Training. http://www.wtc.mb.ca/index.cfm?pageID=55
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer an Electrical/Electronic program.
- Technical Vocational (Tec Voc) High School offers an Electrical program.
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Career Paths
Construction electricians may find employment with construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers and resource companies.
With experience, construction electricians may advance to positions such as foreman, superintendent, estimator or electrical inspector. Some start their own contracting businesses.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for electricians are expected to be good in the 2010 - 2014 period. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 2,275.
The large number of major construction projects planned or underway in Manitoba, along with private and public investment including infrastructure funding, low interest rates and renovation tax incentives are factors behind the positive outlook for continued growth in commercial and residential construction and renovation. Changes in building design, specifically the increasing use of optical fibre and electronic controls for temperature, humidity, lighting, and security systems are changing and expanding the role of the electrician in residential and commercial construction.
Electricians are also required in the retrofitting and upgrading of older industrial facilities and institutions such as hospitals to accommodate the new technologies and to meet changing requirements in building codes. The development of new and retrofitted condos in urban areas is expected to continue through the forecast period.
A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in rural Manitoba. The majority of electricians work in the Construction industry (88%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
- Construction Association of Rural Manitoba, 950 - 10th Street, Unit B, Brandon, MB, R7A 6B5.
- Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba, http://www.clram.ca
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, http://www.ibew2085.com/
- Manitoba Building & Construction Trades Council, http://www.buildingtrades.ca/
- Manitoba Electrical League, http://www.meleague.net
- Manitoba Federation of Labour, http://www.mfl.mb.ca
- Manitoba Home Builders Association, http://www.homebuilders.mb.ca/
- Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba, http://www.meritmb.com
- Winnipeg Construction Association, http://www.winnipegconstruction.ca/
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Other Related Information...
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