Pre-Employment Electrician

Traits, skills and aptitudes

Electricians tend to be objective, innovative and methodical.

You need:

• communication and reading skills
• an aptitude for math
• mechanical ability
• physical strength and stamina
• the ability to distinguish colours to work with colour-coded wiring
• the ability to plan and organize
• the ability to work in high places
• the ability to get along well with co-workers
• the ability to coach and mentor
• the ability to do precision work
• problem-solving and computer skills.

If you install or maintain equipment in homes or businesses, you should enjoy keeping a neat appearance and dealing with customers. 

Academic path

This program aligns with the first period of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s (AIT) Electrician curriculum.

Graduates are eligible to register as apprentices and challenge the first-period exam.

Once you pass the exam and complete the necessary training hours with an employer, you may register for SAIT’s Electrician apprenticeship program beginning in period two.

Credential

Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll receive a SAIT Pre-Employment Electrician certificate.

Program length

12 weeks

Not open to international applicants

This program is not available to international applicants at this time. 

CAJG-eligible

This program is eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant. 

Related careers

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

• Electricians (22310)
• Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations (72011)
• Industrial electricians (72201)
• Power system electricians (72202)
• Utilities managers (90011)
• Power engineers and power systems operators (92100)
• Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
• Electrical and electronics engineers 
• Electricians (except industrial and power system) (72200)
• Industrial electricians (72201)
• Electrical power line and cable workers (72203)
• Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers (72204)
• Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians (72205)
• Utility maintenance workers (74204)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:

• Math 20-1, Math 20-2, or Math 20-3, and
• English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2, and
• Science 10.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options. 

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline

The Pre-Employment Electrician certificate requires 15 credits (four courses) to complete.

Required courses

• CODE 232 - Electrical Code I 3 Credits
• ELEC 230 - Electrician Theory I 6 Credits
• ELEC 231 - Electrician Laboratory I 3 Credits
• ELEC 245 - Electrician Practical Applications I 3 Credits

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Books and supplies

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn’t receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you’re in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

Additional technology requirements

You’ll need a SHARP EL-520X calculator, which is recommended by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

You’ll need CSA-approved steel-toed boots or shoes and one pair of safety glasses.

Required equipment and tools

You’ll need a:

• Staedtler electric/electronic symbols 977/116 template
• Staedtler metric scaling ruler with 1:50 scale
• Pre-employment Electrician hand tools box (Milwaukee) 

All of these items will be available for purchase from the SAIT Bookstore. 

Energy program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our MacPhail School of Energy.

Phone: 403.284.8451
Email: macphail.students@sait.ca