Electricians (NOC 7241)

If you are interested in working as a Electrician (not Industrial or Power System) in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive.

You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

Why your employment prospects in Canada are excellent:

• Demand for these workers depends largely on growth in the construction industry, as the majority of electricians work in the construction industry.
• Electricians may be employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of buildings and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
• The electrical trade is becoming more technically oriented in both theory and application. Electricians will require skills upgrading to deal with fiber optics and local area networks.
• Work performed by electricians is expanding to include alternate energy supplies, such as solar power, wind power and fuel cells, wiring for smart homes and automated systems for high tech industries and complex computer offices.
• Electricians who specialize in new technologies are expected to be in greatest demand.

Some areas of Canada where your occupation is in demand:

While there is a shortage of electricians across Canada, the following cities and provinces listed below have a particularly high demand for this occupation.

British Columbia

• While employment is distributed quite evenly across the province in relation to population, over the last few years low interest rates and a growing economy resulted in a rapid increase in residential construction and renovations in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, southern Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions in particular. These regions continue to be a growing source of work for electricians in the province.
• Commercial, institutional and industrial construction activity will also continue to be an important source of employment for electricians in B.C.
• Projected new jobs (2010-2015) for electricians is estimated at 1,400 and new jobs created due to retirement over the same period is estimated at 2,230.

Vancouver Island and Victoria, British Columbia:

• Job prospects for electricians are good in this local area.
• This occupation has an aging workforce, and it is expected that a significant number of new jobs will be due to the retirement of current workers.

Saskatchewan

• The vast majority of Saskatchewan electricians work for an employer; however, self-employment is not uncommon.
• In 2006, nearly 40% of all Saskatchewan electricians were 45 years of age or older. Many of these individuals are expected to retire in the next few years, creating employment opportunities for new electricians.

Regina Area, Saskatchewan:

• Employment prospects for electricians are expected to be good in 2010-2011.

Saskatoon and Rural West, Saskatchewan:

• Employment prospects are considered to be good in this local area for 2010-2011.
• The Saskatoon and Rural West has seen a surge of building activity within all four construction sectors including new home building and renovation, industrial, commercial, and civil engineering.
• The Construction Sector Council states that employment growth in construction will continue to accelerate in Saskatchewan as major construction projects move forward and government fiscal stimulus increases institutional building prospects.
• The need to replace older workers who retire along with continued economic growth will provide good employment opportunities for electricians.

South-West Saskatchewan:

• Employment prospects for electricians are good for the period 2010-2011.
• The size of this occupational group is about 240, with nearly 44% of the workforce above the age of 45. Many of these individuals are expected to retire in the next few years, creating employment opportunities for new electricians.

Manitoba

• Employment prospects for electricians are expected to be good for 2010-2014.
• Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 2,275.
• A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in rural Manitoba.
• The majority of electricians work in the Construction industry (88%).
• The many construction projects planned or underway in Manitoba, in addition to 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. All these factors have lead to a positive outlook for electricians as well.

Northern Manitoba:

• Employment prospects are considered to be good for electricians in this local area, with large infrastructure, building construction and renovation projects, as well as a demand for housing in some communities.

Selkirk Area, Manitoba:

• Employment prospects are good in the Selkirk Area.
• Employers, industry associations, and government reports have expressed a strong demand for skilled electricians in Manitoba's rural areas, including the Selkirk region.

Winnipeg, Manitoba:

• Employment prospects are considered to be good for electricians in 2010.
• Electricians will be needed to wire new homes, restaurants and other structures that will be built to accommodate growing communities within the city.
• In addition, older buildings will require improvements to their electrical systems to meet modern codes and accommodate higher electricity consumption due to the greater use of electronic equipment in houses and workplaces.

Prince Edward Island

• Employment prospects for this occupation are considered to be good for 2010-2011.
• Approximately 245 electricians are employed in P.E.I.
• Approximately 30 percent of those employed in this occupation were 50 years of age or older in 2006, as a result more opportunities for electricians will become available as many retire.

Yukon

• Employment prospects for electricians are considered to be good throughout the province.

Ontario

Toronto, Ontario:

• While employment prospects are considered to be fair in this local area by Job Futures, investment in non-residential construction is expected to accelerate creating more employment opportunities for electricians.
• Additional employment will come from the demand for retrofitting electrical systems in existing industrial and commercial buildings.

Niagara Area, Ontario:

• Employments prospects are fair.
• With the arrival of Casino business and the many other developments in Niagara, there has been an increase in demand for all types of skilled trades.

Nova Scotia

Cape Breton:

• Employment prospects for electricians are considered to be fair.
• School renovations and additions to nursing homes in the region are creating some work.
• Opportunities exist for residential and contract work in the region, especially during the warmer months.

Duties for Electricians

Electricians in this group 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.

Description of Main 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 audio and visual communication equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
• Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.

Example job titles for Electricians:

Find out about salary ranges for Electricians in different Canadian cities with our Canada Salary Calculator.

You can start looking for a job in Canada by using our Canada Job Search Tool.