Photo: Electrician students at Herzing College in Toronto
Exactly what kinds of work or areas of specialty can you pursue as an electrician? Is there more to this trade than routine wiring installation and repairs?
Absolutely. There’s a wide range of career paths open to you. It all depends on your individual strengths, preferences, and career goals.
What kind of environment do you want to work in? Are you fixed on avoiding outdoor work? Are you especially interested in electronics, computers, renewable energy, or telecommunications?
In this post, we're comparing electrician career paths to help you see what's out there. Here's a look at some of your top options.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Traditional Career Paths for Electricians
- Emerging Electrician Career Paths
- Choosing the Right Specialization
- How to Stay Competitive as an Electrician
TRADITIONAL CAREER PATHS FOR ELECTRICIANS
Below are some of the most common career paths for those with an interest in electrical system installation and maintenance.
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Many electricians work in construction and maintenance. This is a standard career path that involves wiring brand-new structures and doing repairs and upgrades on existing buildings (often residential properties).
But even within this field, there are niches—ways to specialize that you wouldn't expect. For example, Jon Kerr does electrical wiring for mausoleums. He didn't even know this kind of work existed until he got hired by a company in Hamilton, Ontario that specializes in this area (Murray Peters Electric).
"It’s actually pretty amazing. Murray Peters is the biggest provider of this service in the province. There’s a huge market for mausoleums, especially in the Toronto area,” Jon told us.
“We do all the wiring for these incredible structures. We install motion sensor lighting, audio systems that can play music, extensive fire detection systems, heat detectors, smoke detectors, and flow detectors. The work is interesting, challenging, and best of all—indoors!"
Training and qualifications: Becoming a construction and maintenance electrician in Ontario requires completing a five-year apprenticeship. You can boost your odds of getting hired as an apprentice by completing pre-apprenticeship training at a trade school first.
Industrial Electrician
If you choose to become an industrial electrician, you'll be working for a factory, plant, mine, shipyard, or other industrial establishment. You will specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing the electronic components of industrial equipment. This role typically includes responsibilities like:
- Installing and repairing test switchgear, transformers, switchboard meters, regulators, and reactors
- Working on electrical motors, generators, alternators, industrial storage batteries, and hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems
- Installing and maintaining electrical wiring, receptacles, switch boxes, conduits, feeders, fibreoptic and coaxial cable assemblies, lighting fixtures, and other electrical components
Learn more here: Domestic, Industrial & Commercial Electrician: What's the Difference?
Training and qualifications: In Ontario, industrial electrician is a non-compulsory trade, meaning an apprenticeship is not required. However, most employers expect you to do one. The process takes about five years in total.
Lineworker
A lineworker works for power companies on high-power transmission and distribution lines and systems. These lines connect power plants to individual homes and buildings. They might be overhead or underground in vaults or trenches.
Typical lineman responsibilities include:
- Setting towers and poles
- Maintaining and repairing power lines
- Stringing new wire
- Installing and maintaining insulators, transformers, and other equipment
- Installing underground distribution systems
- Assembling substations
- Installing and maintaining traffic signals
- Inspecting lines, poles, and equipment for signs of damage
Training and qualifications: Powerline technician apprenticeships are available but not mandatory. They run for roughly four years.
Lineworkers maintain high-voltage systems
Network Cabling/CATV Specialist
Network cabling specialists work for telecommunications companies, internet providers, and network installation companies. Their job is to install, test, and maintain communication systems for data, voice, and video transmission.
Choose this electrician career and you'll be installing, repairing, and upgrading communications networks for industrial, commercial, institutional, and office complexes. These are the kinds of tasks you'll be doing on a regular basis:
- Installing wall adapter and telecommunications outlet boxes to client specifications
- Routing cable through data centres and buildings
- Installing cable supports and core holes, and creating pathways
- Dressing closets, cross connect, and terminations
- Installing CATV equipment
- Documenting networks by labelling cables and creating diagrams
- Performing system upgrades
Training and qualifications: You can go straight to work after completing a network cabling program at a trade school. You may want to consider taking a combined network cabling and electrician program that teaches skills in both areas, so you can multiply your job options after graduation.
Related: 4 Good Reasons to Combine Network Cabling & Electrician Training
EMERGING ELECTRICIAN CAREER PATHS
Looking for something a bit different? Check out opportunities in renewable energy, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and home automation.
Solar Panel Installer
A solar panel installer (also known as a PV installer) is responsible for setting up, maintaining, and repairing solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight into energy. These installers work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects to ensure that solar panels are installed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with local regulations.
Typical tasks include:
- Evaluating a property's suitability for solar panels, considering factors like roof orientation, shading, and local regulations
- Installing racking or mounting systems
- Connecting solar panels to the electrical system
- Testing the installed system to ensure it functions correctly, checking for issues such as voltage levels, efficiency, and safety compliance
- Performing regular inspections, cleaning panels, and troubleshooting any issues
Training and qualifications: Becoming a licensed electrician is helpful. And while North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification is not required, it is highly regarded in the solar industry and can boost your employability.
Solar panel installers often work on rooftops
Wind Turbine Technician
A wind turbine technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing wind turbines that generate electricity from wind energy. These technicians typically work on large, utility-scale wind turbines and ensure that the turbines operate efficiently and safely.
In this role, your responsibilities may include:
- Inspecting wind turbine components to ensure they are functioning properly
- Climbing wind turbine towers, which can be over 300 feet tall, to access and work on components located at the top, such as the nacelle, rotor, and hub
- Testing the turbine's electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems to verify functionality and efficiency
- Troubleshooting, repairing, and replacing electrical and mechanical components, including wiring, generators, gearboxes, and braking systems
Training and qualifications: Many colleges in Ontario offer specialized training programs for wind turbine technicians. Some employers prefer candidates who are certified through the Global Wind Organization.
EV Charging Station Installer
An EV charging station installer is responsible for setting up and maintaining electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in residential, commercial, and public locations. These professionals ensure that EV charging stations are installed safely, comply with electrical codes, and meet the specific needs of customers.
Specific job tasks often include:
- Evaluating an area’s suitability for an EV charging station, considering factors like power supply, accessibility, and local regulations
- Upgrading or modifying the existing electrical system if necessary
- Mounting and installing EV charging units (Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 fast chargers) according to manufacturer specifications and local electrical codes
- Wiring the charging station to the electrical supply
- Connecting the charging station to a network for remote monitoring and payment processing
Training and qualifications: After obtaining an electrician’s license, further specialization is needed. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) is widely recognized in North America and provides electricians with detailed knowledge on installing EV charging systems.
Electricians can specialize in installing EV charging stations
Smart Home Electrician
A smart home electrician specializes in installing, integrating, and maintaining electrical systems that enhance home automation and connectivity. These electricians ensure the seamless installation of smart devices with electrical systems, verifying that cellphone apps and smart switches work together so homeowners can have improved control, efficiency, and security.
Your day-to-day tasks as a smart home electrician may include:
- Assessing the homeowner’s needs and recommending appropriate smart home solutions
- Installing a variety of smart home devices, including smart lighting systems, automated window shades, smart thermostats, smart locks, and voice-activated assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Home)
- Connecting smart devices to the home’s Wi-Fi network, ensuring that all devices communicate properly with each other and can be controlled via mobile apps or voice commands
- Setting up and customizing smart home systems to meet the homeowner's preferences
Training and qualifications: You must be a licensed electrician to install smart home systems that require electrical wiring or integration into the home’s power grid. Specialized certifications are also available, such as those offered through CEDIA.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPECIALIZATION
So how can you choose the path that’s right for you? Here are some things to think about:
Industry demand: Electricians who work in renewable energy or building automation may see long-term growth due to increasing environmental regulations. And while the Government of Canada Job Bank says most traditional roles for electricians are in moderate demand across Ontario, industrial electricians get a full five-star rating for growth and employment.
Skills and interests: Some specializations, like residential wiring for smart home devices, require detailed work in smaller spaces, while others, like commercial wiring, involve large-scale systems and more complex installations.
Physical demands and safety risks: Specializations involving high-voltage electrical systems have greater physical and safety risks. And if you’re not comfortable with heights, you’ll probably want to avoid working on wind turbines or doing solar installations on rooftops.
HOW TO STAY COMPETITIVE AS AN ELECTRICIAN
As technology continues to evolve, electricians must stay updated to remain competitive. You can continue your professional development by taking advantage of various educational opportunities, certifications, and industry resources.
Many manufacturers of electrical products, such as lighting systems or smart home devices, offer free or low-cost training workshops to help electricians learn about the latest innovations and installation techniques.
Consider certifications in specialized areas like solar energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging, or industrial automation. Examples include NABCEP certification for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and certifications for EV charger installations.
Following developments in areas like renewable energy, smart grids, IoT, and automation will help you identify skills and technologies to focus on for future growth.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
Want more information on becoming a licensed electrician?
Your next step is to speak with admissions. An admissions advisor will guide you through the electrician program, costs, financial aid, apprenticeship process, and certification requirements.
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