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.
Below are some of the most common career paths for those with an interest in electrical system installation and maintenance.
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.
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:
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.
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:
Training and qualifications: Powerline technician apprenticeships are available but not mandatory. They run for roughly four years.
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:
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
Looking for something a bit different? Check out opportunities in renewable energy, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and home automation.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Want more information on becoming a licensed electrician?
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