Electrical is a compulsory trade in BC, so you need to be registered before you work. Here is where the public schools teach it, by region.
Construction electricians install, test, commission and service the electrical systems in homes, commercial buildings and industrial sites, working to the Canadian Electrical Code. Industrial electricians focus on high-voltage equipment and controls at places such as mines, shipyards and factories (SkilledTradesBC). The two are separate trades with separate certificates, but both start with the same foundation-level training at most schools.
| Levels | Foundation, then Apprenticeship Levels 1–4 (Industrial: Level 4 differs) |
|---|---|
| Technical training (school) | 40 weeks over 4 years |
| Work-based training (on the job) | 6,000 hours |
| Certification | Red Seal (Construction and Industrial) |
| Compulsory in BC? | Yes |
This is a compulsory trade in BC. SkilledTradesBC lists it as a Skilled Trades Certification trade: to work in it you must be a registered apprentice, a certified journeyperson, or have applied as a Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker (SkilledTradesBC). Read the Skilled Trades Certification rules before you take paid work.
A foundation program is optional, but it gives you school credit for Level 1 before you find a sponsor. Apprentices then return to school for Levels 2, 3 and 4 between work periods, and finish with the interprovincial Red Seal exam. Our become an electrician guide covers the exam, wages and the field safety representative licence in more depth.
Some schools in the list below offer Industrial Electrician classes. If you want to work in mills, mines or plants, ask the school which Level 4 stream it runs and when, because industrial seats are scheduled less often than construction seats.
All 41 programs at schools on SkilledTradesBC’s Trades Training BC list or its list of approved non-public training providers, with intake status from TradesTrainingBC and school pages. Use the region buttons to filter. Pay: $34.00/h (WorkBC median) source. See also our become an electrician guide.
These are BC public colleges and universities listed by SkilledTradesBC’s Trades Training BC for this trade family, plus private schools on SkilledTradesBC’s list of approved non-public training providers (checked against the PTIB directory). Each row links the school’s own program page. Tuition and fees are quoted as the school publishes them, with the source; where a school does not publish them, check with the school. Fees change every year, so confirm before you apply.
† Program name as listed by SkilledTradesBC; the school may use a different title. “Length” is calculated from the start and end dates SkilledTradesBC publishes and varies by intake. “Not published” means we found no official figure; we do not estimate.
| School and campuses | Program (type, SkilledTradesBC program) | Length | Next intakes / seats | Tuition and fees (as published) | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Community College Surrey Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrician Common Core – Level 1 Acceelerated Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 1 | 8 weeks full-time (300 hours) | Not published | Tuition $3,975 Application Fee $250 Administration Fee $100 Assessment Fee $250 Text Books $465 Course Materials $200 … (source) | Program page |
| ACE Community College Surrey Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrician Common Core – Level 2 Acceelerated Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 2 | 300 hours | Not published | Tuition $3,975 Application Fee $250 Administration Fee $100 Assessment Fee $250 Text Books $465 Course Materials $200 … (source) | Program page |
| ACE Community College Surrey Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrical Foundations Harmonized Program Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 36 weeks full-time (725 hours) | Not published | Tuition $9,264 Application Fee $250 Assessment Fee $250 Text Books $859 Course Materials $771 Other $785 … (source) | Program page |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BBY - Burnaby, DW Poppy Secondary - Langley, Garibaldi Secondary - Maple Ridge, Gladstone Secondary School, North Delta Secondary - Delta +more | Electrical Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 39 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | not published (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BBY - Burnaby | Industrial Electrician Apprentice levels · Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship Level 4 | 9 weeks | Price not published, ask provider | Please visit the BCIT Bookstore to view the list of required books and supplies. / Level 1 Modules - $95 Please visit the BCIT Bookstore to view the list of required books and supplies. / Level 2 Modules - $85 Level 3 Modules - $95 Level 4 Modules - $112 (source) | Program page |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BBY - Burnaby, DW Poppy Secondary - Langley, Princess Margaret Secondary - Surrey | Electrical Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 6 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Books & supplies / $835.00 (general estimated cost and subject to change) (source) | Program page |
| Electrical Joint Training Committee Port Coquitlam Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Apprenticeships Overview Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University Cloverdale | Electrical (Construction) Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–12 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 6 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2026-11-23 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | not published (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University Cloverdale | Electrical (Construction) Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 23–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-11 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | not published (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrician Common Core – Level 1 (Accelerated) Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 1 | 10 weeks full-time (300 hours) | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrician Common Core – Level 2 (Accelerated) Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 2 | 10 weeks full-time (300 hours) | Not published | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Electrician Common Core – Level 3 Accelerated Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 3 | 10 weeks full-time (300 hours) | Not published | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Construction Electrician – Level 4 Accelerated Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Level 4 | 10 weeks full-time (300 hours) | Not published | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Construction Electrician Foundations Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24 weeks full-time (720 hours) | Not published | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| University of the Fraser Valley Trades and Technology Centre (CEP) | Construction Electrician – certificate Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 5 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Closed) Full: “January, October - Full” (school page, checked 2026-11-01) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | $4,332.99 estimated total tuition and fees 2026-27 (2025-26: $4,252.27); tools $600, books $600, clothes $350 (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| University of the Fraser Valley Trades and Technology Centre (CEP) | Construction Electrician – certificate Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-18 (Closed) Full: “January, October - Full” (school page, checked 2026-11-01) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | $4,332.99 estimated total tuition and fees 2026-27 (2025-26: $4,252.27); tools $600, books $600, clothes $350 (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| Vancouver Career College Burnaby Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | Construction Electrician Foundation Certifcate Program Course in BC Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Vancouver Community College Vancouver | Construction Electrician Apprentice Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not published | Not published | Application fee $36 Tuition $16,925 Student union $296 College initiative $203 Campus resource $339 U-PASS $575 … (source) | Program page |
| Vancouver Community College Vancouver | Construction Electrician Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 19–27 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-11 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition: $9,617* Application fee / $36 Tuition / $9,617 Student union / $148 College initiative / $116 Campus resource / $193 … (source) | Program page |
| Camosun College Interurban | Electrical Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 18 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Electrical Apprenticeship / $1,157.50 Level 1 Electrical Apprenticeship / $1,157.50 Level 2 $1,157.50 Level 3 $1,157.50 Level 4 (source) | Program page |
| Camosun College Interurban | Electrical Foundation, Certificate Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Electrical Foundation, Certificate / $2,778 (domestic) (source) | Program page |
| North Island College Campbell River | Electrician Apprenticeship Harmonized Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–11 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 4 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2026-11-30 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition / $1,080 Lab / $0 Student Union / $75 Learner Resource / $60 Total / $1,215 (source) | Program page |
| North Island College Campbell River | Electrician Foundation Harmonized Certificate Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 23–24 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-25 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition / $2,320 Lab / $105 Student Union / $145 Learner Resource / $125 Total / $2,980 (source) | Program page |
| Vancouver Island University Nanaimo | Electrician Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2026-11-16 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Amount / Tuition (6 months x $519.36 per month) 336.48 / Student Activity fee (6 months x $20.78 per month) 124.68 / Student Services fee (6 months x $22.94 per month) 137.64 / VIU Students' Union fee (6 months x $50.08 per month) 300.48 / Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) Application Fee: / $46.98 (source) | Program page |
| College of the Rockies Main Campus | Electrician Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9 weeks | Start: 5 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Application Fee: / $30.00 Tuition: / $1,167.60 Student Association Fee: / $23.00 Total: / $1,220.60 (source) | Program page |
| College of the Rockies Main Campus | Electrician Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship Level 4 | 9 weeks | Price not published, ask provider | Application Fee: / $30.00 Tuition: / $1,167.60 Student Association Fee: / $23.00 Total: / $1,220.60 (source) | Program page |
| College of the Rockies Main Campus | Electrician Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 23–25 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-08 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Merritt | Electrician Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24 weeks | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-08 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Okanagan College 1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC, Vernon, BC | Construction Electrician Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–12 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 13 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2026-11-30 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Domestic students / $1,675 estimated cost per level Estimated cost per level / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $1,675 Estimated cost per level / Vernon: $1,618 Domestic students / $1,675 Collapse all / Level 1 - estimate: $1,675 Tuition / $1,315 … (source) | Program page |
| Okanagan College 1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC, Duncan Ave. Penticton, Vernon, BC | Electrician Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 23–25 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 3 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-03-01 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Domestic students / $4,462 estimated total program cost Estimated first-year cost / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,462 Estimated first-year cost / Vernon: $4,358 Estimated total program cost / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,462 Estimated total program cost / Vernon: $4,358 Domestic students / $4,462 … (source) | Program page |
| Selkirk College Silver King Campus - Nelson | Electrical - Apprenticeship Levels 1 to 4 Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 4 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition / $1,215 Mandatory Fees / $182 Student Union Fees / $92 Total / $1,489 Book Costs / $372 Supply Costs / $1,251 … (source) | Program page |
| Selkirk College Silver King Campus - Nelson | Electrical Foundation - Certificate Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 23–25 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-01 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition / $2,850 Mandatory Fees / $403 Student Union Fees / $183 Health and Dental Insurance / $285 Total / $3,721 Book Costs / $692 … (source) | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Kamloops, Williams Lake | Electrician, Construction Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 9 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | FoundationTuition / $2,782.14 Student and lab fees / $914.76 Electrical code book, learning guides, text books / $650.00 Hand tools and basic tool pouch / $400.00 Health and Dental Plan / $248.00 Total / $5,194.90 … (source) | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Kamloops | Electrician, Industrial Apprentice levels · Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship Level 4 | 9 weeks | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Mar 30, 2027 (Kamloops, Level 4): Limited/WL (TTBC schedule) | Apprenticeship costsTen weeks tuition and fees / $1,436.37 (source) | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Kamloops, Williams Lake | Electrician, Construction Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-01 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | FoundationTuition / $2,782.14 Student and lab fees / $914.76 Electrical code book, learning guides, text books / $650.00 Hand tools and basic tool pouch / $400.00 Health and Dental Plan / $248.00 Total / $5,194.90 … (source) | Program page |
| Coast Mountain College Terrace | Electrical (Harmonized) Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 3 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | $836.00 tuition per 10-week level (domestic); plus $57.68 student union and $239.00 mandatory fees (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Program page |
| Coast Mountain College Terrace | Electrical | Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 20–21 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-08 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Tuition: / $2,006.40 Student Union Fees: / $115.36 Mandatory Fees: / $573.60 Tuition and Fees Total: / $2,695.36 Books & Resources / $1,600.00 Classroom Supplies: / $100.00 … (source) | Program page |
| College of New Caledonia Prince George - Main Campus, Vanderhoof | Apprentice Electrical L1 Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 9–12 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 6 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2026-11-16 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Fees* / Starting at $1,326.05 View costs by level / Level 1 Tuition: $1,326.05-1,353.34 View costs by level / Level 2 Tuition: $1,326.05-1,353.34 Level 3 Tuition: $1,326.05-1,353.34 Level 4 Tuition: $1,326.05-1,353.34 Work BC offers financial support to apprenticeship students. / Apprentices may qualify for interest free loans of up to $4,000 per level of technical training through the Canada Apprentice Loan program. (source) | Program page |
| College of New Caledonia Prince George - Main Campus | Electrician Foundation Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-08 (Limited/WL) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Fees* / Estimated at $3,200 Invest in your future / The estimated cost for this program is $3,200*. Invest in your future / Tuition: $2,071 Student fees: $658 Medical/Dental Fee (Fall semester only): $260 (source) | Program page |
| Northern Lights College Fort St. John | Electrician Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Electrician Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 10 weeks | Start: 2 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-01-04 (Closed) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Level 1 / $ 1,121.40 Level 1 / $ 75.23 $ 194.19 $ 1,390.82 Level 2 / $ 1,121.40 Level 2 / $ 75.23 … (source) | Program page |
| Northern Lights College Fort St. John | Electrician Foundation Trades Certificate Foundation · Electrician — Foundation | 20 weeks | Start: 1 upcoming TTBC-listed starts; first 2027-02-08 (Open) (source, checked 2026-11-01) | Year 1 / $ 2,242.80 Year 1 / $ 150.46 $ 592.44 $ 2,985.70 Year 1 / $ 8,778.00 $ 289.80* … (source) | Program page |
Find a sponsor (usually an employer), register together on the SkilledTradesBC Portal, then complete 40 weeks of school and 6,000 work hours and pass the certification exam (70% pass mark, up to 4 attempts). A foundation program is optional and can count toward Level 1. Full walkthrough: how to register an apprenticeship; rules from SkilledTradesBC.
Foundation (optional)Usually a few months full-time. The length is on each school’s page in the table above.
Apprenticeship40 weeks of technical training spread over 4 years, in blocks of school between work periods
Work-based training6,000 hours with your sponsor
CertificationExam with a 70% pass mark and up to 4 attempts. Trade Qualifiers must pass within 24 months of approval.
Program length per SkilledTradesBC trade pages. Exam rules per SkilledTradesBC.
Published school fees, usually without tools or student fees.
| Item | Published amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation program · ACE Community College | Tuition $9,264 | school page |
| One apprentice level · ACE Community College | Tuition $3,975 | school page |
| Books and supplies · ACE Community College | Text Books $465 | school page |
| One apprentice level · British Columbia Institute of Technology | Level 4 Modules - $112 | school page |
| Foundation program · Camosun College | Electrical Foundation, Certificate: $2,778 (domestic) | school page |
| Foundation program · Coast Mountain College | Tuition:: $2,006.40 | school page |
| Certification exam as a Trade Qualifier (challengers only) | $120 application, which includes your first attempt. The 2nd attempt is free; the 3rd and 4th cost $100 each. | SkilledTradesBC |
Job Bank wages for Electricians (except industrial and power system) in British Columbia (2023–2024 reference period; Job Bank wage report). Journeyperson ranges, not apprentice pay. See also BC trades salaries.
EI, loans, grants and tool deductions for apprentices: apprentice funding in BC.
No. A foundation program is optional. You can register as a Level 1 apprentice once you have a sponsor. Foundation programs can make you easier to hire and usually count toward Level 1.
Yes, it is one of BC's 7 compulsory trades, and an employer can supervise at most 2 apprentices per journeyperson. The rules are summarized near the top of this page.
Possibly, as a Trade Qualifier ($120, see the cost table). With less experience you can challenge a level exam instead.
Usually, yes, if you are eligible for EI. Apply for WorkBC Apprentice Services up to 4 weeks before your training starts to get the reference code you need for the EI claim.
SkilledTradesBC lists 40 weeks of technical training over 4 years and 6,000 work-based hours. A foundation program adds time at the start, but it may count toward Level 1.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.