Electrical Engineering vs. Electrician Apprenticeships
Responsibilities of Electrician vs Electrical Technicians/Technologists[1]
Electricians and electrical technicians deal with electrical systems, but the types of systems and nature of their work vary widely. Electricians may go to a construction site and install wiring and electrical systems in a new structure, or they go to an existing building and update the electrical systems and perform repairs to existing systems. They make sure that when electrical items are plugged in that the appropriate amount of power is safely transferred through the outlet. Electrical technicians ensure that the electrical items people purchase are assembled properly and will work as expected. They may put together the electrical components of items such as computers or appliances. While electricians may travel from worksite to worksite, electrical technicians typically work in offices or factories where they perform their duties.
Electrician
Electricians primarily learn through hands-on work while completing an apprenticeship or a program at a technical school. Their work can be physically challenging, since they may be required to crawl under buildings or function in tight spaces for prolonged periods of time, and physical labor is a key component of their job. Electricians may be responsible for installing wiring systems into new buildings, or they may have to inspect the electrical systems in a building to identify the source of a problem and then repair the system. This is a career field that carries a higher risk of work-related injury than most other professions. In addition to regular daytime hours, electricians may also work evenings and weekends. Due to weather or deadlines they may also need to be prepared to work overtime.
Job responsibilities of an electrician include:
- Meet clients to discuss their needs
- Check building plans to determine where electrical systems should be installed
- Make sure that building regulations are followed when installing or repairing electrical systems
- Direct and train other workers
Special note for temporary residents/international students: Requirements for apprenticeships are established by the Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development (MLTSD). A temporary resident may start an apprenticeship, however, their status in Canada must allow them to work and study at the same time. It is recommended that you seek immigration advising from an International Student Advisor (or another immigration professional) for more support in this area.
Electrical Technicians/Technologists
Electrical technicians often work in offices or factories. They focus on repairing or constructing electrical systems. They follow the device’s design plan and construct the device’s electrical systems, or they may repair an existing device. It’s common for electrical technicians to work under the supervision of an electrical engineer or as part of a production team. Although they don’t design electrical systems themselves, they do need to be able to identify potential problems with a design. They also inspect products to determine they’ve been constructed properly and function as intended.
Job responsibilities of an electrical technician include:
- Read product design plans
- Write specifications and draw diagrams
- Recommend improvements to design plans
- Calibrate instruments and testing equipment
Program Descriptions
Electrical Techniques
This program (Ontario College Certificate) is for those who are focused on starting in the trades: Electrician –Construction and Maintenance or Industrial, Network-Communication specialist, etc.
After graduation, you may enter a trade apprenticeship or continue to technician/ technology programs. Also, the program will deliver content that meets the requirements for Level 1 in-school Electrician apprenticeship (309A/442A) training.
NOTE: You can apply directly to this program
Outlook:
- Graduates of this program are well prepared to enter directly into an apprenticeship, other employment in the electrical field or to continue into related diploma programs.
Electrical Engineering Technician
This program (Ontario College Diploma) is for those who would like to enter Electrical Engineering Technician Field. The program is fully accredited by TAC. After meeting all requirements, a graduate can become use the exclusive, protected title of Certified Technician (C.Tech)
Also, the program will deliver content that meets the requirements for Level 1 and 2 in-school Electrician apprenticeship (309A/442A) training.
NOTE: You can apply directly to this program
Outlook:
- Automation Technician
- Building Automation Technician
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electrical Assembly Technician
- Electrical and Control Technician
- Electrical Maintenance Technician
- Electrical Technician
- Electro-Mechanical Technician
- Fire Alarm Technician
- Home Automation Technician
- High Voltage Substation Technician
- Maintenance Engineering Technician
- Metering Technician
- Network Communication Apprentice
- Overhead Linesman
- Telecommunications Technician
Electrical Engineering Technology
This program (Ontario College Advanced Diploma) is for those who would like to enter Electrical Engineering Technology Field. The program is fully accredited by TAC. After meeting all requirements, a graduate can become use the exclusive, protected title of Certified Engineering Technologist (CET)
Also, the program will deliver content that meets the requirements for Level 1 and 2 in-school Electrician apprenticeship (309A/442A) training.
NOTE: You can apply directly to this program
Outlook:
- Automation Controls Technologist
- Building Automation Technologist
- Control Room Operator
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electrical and Control Technologist
- Electrical Maintenance Technologist
- Electrical Technologist
- Electro-Mechanical Technologist
- Fire Alarm Technologist
- Maintenance Engineering Technologist
- Metering Technologist
- Network Communication Apprentice
- Overhead Linesman
- Telecommunications Technologist
Electrician Apprenticeship
This program (Ontario College Certificate) is for those who are already working in the trades: Electrician –Construction and Maintenance (309A) or Industrial (442A). To apply for this program you need to be working as a registered electrician apprentice for a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) company and sponsored by them in the trade. After completing the required hours the ministry will send you to the college to complete your entire 3 Levels of apprenticeship.
NOTE: You cannot apply directly to this program
Outlook:
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electrician Journeyman (after completing 9000 hours and passing CofQ exam)
- Other employment in the electrical field or to continue into related diploma programs
To learn more about how to start an apprenticeship, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship
I was accepted into the Electrical Techniques program or Electrical Engineering program, but my goal is to become a Licensed Electrician. Should I stop my current program?
Ultimately, every individual must make this decision for themselves, as everyone’s life circumstances are different. However, completing the Electrical Techniques program (3831) or either of the Electrical Engineering Programs (3822 and 3823) will provide you with some advantages if completing an Electrical Apprenticeship.
- To become an apprentice, you will need to first find a job working with a Licensed Electrical Contractor company that is willing to take on the role of being a sponsor.
- The employer can then register you as an apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development (MLTSD).
- Upon meeting minimum work hour requirements, you will be sent an “Offer of Classroom Training” to attend a post- secondary institute for in-class training for Level 1 of 3 in the trade.
- Level 1 is a total of 240 hours, and Levels 2 & 3 are 300 hours each.
- Centennial offers Day release (One 6 hour-day per week) and Block Release (8 weeks).
- Students who have completed one of our other electrical programs may be exempted from some levels of the Classroom training (see chart below).
- If successful in the first level, a subsequent offer will be sent for Level 2, and again for level 3 the following year.
- The electrician trade requires 9000 total hours. (Combining high school experience, hours at work, and in-class training. The entire process will take roughly 5 years.
- After completing all 9000 hours you are eligible to write a “Certificate of Qualification” exam to receive your trade license.
As of March 30, 2022, Centennial College was granted an exemption for some levels of the educational requirements of the Electrical Apprenticeship requirements for Electrician: Construction & Maintenance (309A), Electrician: Domestic and Rural Electrician (309C) and Electrician: Industrial (442A). See the chart below for Apprenticeship Level exemptions.
June 2024: Upcoming changes to Ministry requirements for in-class training and exemptions have not been updated at this time. Please check back regularly for updates.
| Trade Name | Trade Code | Current Program APS Title | Equivalent Apprenticeship Level | Credential Type |
| Electrician: Construction & Maintenance | 309A | Electrical Techniques | 1 | Ontario College Certificate |
| Electrician: Domestic & Rural | 309C | Electrical Techniques | 1 | Ontario College Certificate |
| Electrician: Industrial | 442A | Electrical Techniques | 1 | Ontario College Certificate |
| Electrician: Construction & Maintenance | 309A | Electrical Engineering Technology | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
| Electrician: Domestic & Rural | 309C | Electrical Engineering Technology | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
| Electrician: Industrial | 442A | Electrical Engineering Technology | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
| Electrician: Construction & Maintenance | 309A | Electrical Engineering Technician | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Diploma |
| Electrician: Domestic & Rural | 309C | Electrical Engineering Technician | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Diploma |
| Electrician: Industrial | 442A | Electrical Engineering Technician | 1 & 2 | Ontario College Diploma |
- Source: https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/difference-between-electrician-electrical-technician.html ↵
