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Power System Electrician |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009
Power system electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and equipment.
In general, they work in two distinct areas: substations and metering.
In substations, power system electricians work with high voltage equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, switches and the control circuits for protection, indication and monitoring systems. Their daily work involves adjusting relays, working on safety devices and general maintenance of large switch gear.
In metering, power system electricians work with a variety of recording devices such as supervisory controls, indicating and recording devices, switchboards and equipment circuitry found in generating stations and powerhouses. For example, they may install “demand” meters when a client company wishes to review the way it is billed for power usage. On the basis of the data from the demand meters, recommendations can be made to improve the company's cost effectiveness.
Power system electricians work both indoors and outdoors. The hazards of working with live electricity are reduced by the use of special equipment and training in safe work practices and procedures. Shift work may be required. Although a 40-hour work week is normal, power system electricians may be “on call” at designated times and may be called upon at any hour in an emergency.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy variety and thinking up new ways of doing things.
To be successful in the trade, power system electricians need:
Power system electricians are employed by utility companies, large industrial facilities, and their subcontractors.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $30 to $45 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced power system electricians may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman and electric services superintendent.
To work as a Power System Electrician in Alberta, a person must:
Power system electricians learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A power system technician who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Power system technicians who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a power system electrician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first and second year, and a minimum of 1425 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training in the third and fourth year.
To learn the skills required of a power system electrician in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire post-secondary graduates of technical programs, or high school graduates who have good marks in mathematics, physics and drafting.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice power system electricians earn at least 50 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 percent in the second, 67.5 percent in the third, and 75 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Power System Electrician apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Power System Electrician trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified electrician must have at least 4,275 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a power system electrician
- a certified powerline technician must have at least 4,275 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a power system electrician
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
