Industrial electricians
Career Overview
Industrial electricians inspect, install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls. They work for electrical contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial establishments.
Industrial electricians need to have strong analytical skills and be able to work with their hands. They should be comfortable bending, stretching and lifting and be able to work standing up for long periods of time. People in this job should have good communication skills and be able to work on their own or as part of a team.
Job Titles
Duties
Industrial electricians:
- Read and understand drawings, blueprints, schematics and electrical code requirements to decide the layout of industrial electrical equipment installations
- Install, examine, replace or repair electrical wiring, receptacles, switch boxes, conduits, feeders, fibre-optic and coaxial cable assemblies, lighting fixtures and other electrical components
- Test electrical and electronic equipment and parts for continuity, current, voltage and resistance
- Maintain, repair, install and test switchgear, transformers, switchboard meters, regulators and reactors
- Maintain, repair, test and install electrical motors, generators, alternators, industrial storage batteries and hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems
- Troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial, electrical and electronic control systems and other related devices
- Conduct maintenance programs and keep records
- May set up and maintain programmable logic controller (PLC)
- May install, maintain and adjust industrial instrumentation and related devices
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
2,715% Employed Full Time
64%Industrial electricians typically work 40 hours per week, with some overtime. Shift work is common at pulp mills, saw mills, smelting, mining and large-scale resource operations that often operate 24/7.
In the construction industry, industrial electricians work indoors and outdoors. When outdoors, they may experience bad weather conditions. Industrial electricians working in other industries generally work indoors. Some industrial projects may require workers to relocate temporarily to remote job sites.
The work environment can be noisy and dirty with strong smells. Following workplace health and safety regulations is important. Work may be done in cramped spaces and at heights using ladders and scaffolding. Training and education on safety practices are usually provided by the employer on the job.
Career Pathways
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, workers receive their journeyperson papers and are certified industrial electricians.
Those with extensive experience may be promoted to an electrician supervisor position. After gaining experience in the field, some industrial electricians may choose to work as independent contractors or start their own business.
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
Completion of secondary school may be required to work in this occupation.
Industrial electricians must be certified to work in B.C. To become certified, workers must complete a four-year apprenticeship program. The B.C. government is introducing skilled trades certification beginning with a total of 10 trades, including industrial 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
Industrial 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.
Industrial 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
Industrial 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.
Top 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!
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Determining the kinds of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
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
2,715Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 345 | 12.7% |
| Kootenay | 260 | 9.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 825 | 30.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 175 | 6.4% |
| Northeast | 140 | 5.2% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 530 | 19.5% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 440 | 16.2% |
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)
1,040Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 130 | 0.4% |
| Kootenay | 110 | 0.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 390 | 1.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 50 | 0.5% |
| Northeast | 40 | -0.1% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 190 | 0.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 140 | -0.1% |
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) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 460 |
| Construction | 240 |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 200 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 50 |
| Wholesale Trade | 30 |
Insights from Industry
Low interest rates and a growing economy have helped increase industrial activity in the province and have created jobs for industrial electricians. Large construction and transportation projects, especially in the Lower Mainland, continue to be a source of job growth for industrial electricians.
Technology and automation have been positive and challenging for industrial electricians. Advances in technology means that fewer workers are needed to do the same amount of work. However, the increased use of automation in mills, mines, smelting, oil and gas operations and in construction creates demand for industrial electricians who can install and maintain these new systems. Technology has also improved diagnostic equipment. This has reduced some of the physical activities needed and has created demand for workers with specialized training and knowledge.
There is overlap for the skills needed by the industrial electrician trade and those of construction, millwright and instrumentation trades.
Resources
-
British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
-
British Columbia Electrical Association (BCEA)www.bcea.bc.ca/
-
Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC)chbabc.org
-
Careers in Constructionwww.careersinconstruction.ca
-
Electrical Joint Training Committeewww.ejtc.org
-
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)www.ibew.org
-
Red Seal Programwww.red-seal.ca/eng/welcome.shtml
-
Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)www.stepbc.ca
-
SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
-
Trades Training BCwww.tradestrainingbc.ca