Education · 1 of 4

The path

A utility apprenticeship. Alberta runs a designated trade; elsewhere the big utilities train their own.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 with math, physics and English. Alberta's entry requires English 20-2, Math 20-3 and Science 10 or an entrance exam.

2. 2

   Get hired by a utility or generator

   Months to a few years

   This is the hard step. Utilities post apprentice openings a few times a year and get many applicants. An electrical technician diploma or construction electrician hours help you stand out.

3. 3

   Register the apprenticeship

   Days

   In Alberta, with Apprenticeship and Industry Training as a Power System Electrician. In other provinces you may register as an electrician and specialize inside the utility.

4. 4

   Work and study

   4 years

   In Alberta, four periods of about 1,560 to 1,590 hours on the job each, plus 7 weeks of school in periods 1 and 2 and 8 weeks in periods 3 and 4, at NAIT (the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) or Lethbridge Polytechnic.

5. 5

   Journeyperson certificate

   After your hours

   Pass the final period exam. Alberta issues a Journeyperson Certificate and an advanced diploma.