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Quick answer: In Canada an electrical apprenticeship starts with a job. An employer hires you, you register as an apprentice with your provincial or territorial authority, and your on-the-job hours then count toward the 7,200 hours required in most provinces. Each apprentice works under a certified journeyperson, so employers can only take as many apprentices as their ratio allows.
Journeyperson to apprentice ratios
| Province | Ratio in the Ellis Chart |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 1:1 |
| British Columbia | 1:2 |
| Alberta | 1:2 |
| Saskatchewan | 1:2 |
| Manitoba | 1:1 |
| Nova Scotia | 1:3 |
Source: Ellis Chart. A ratio of 1:2 means one journeyperson may supervise up to two apprentices.
How to land an electrician apprentice job
- Search Job Bank for electrician (NOC 72200) postings in your province.
- Ask electrical contractors directly whether they register apprentices.
- Consider an approved pre-apprenticeship program; the Ellis Chart lists pre-apprenticeship training as available across the provinces and territories.
- Show basic math and safety knowledge; try the free fundamentals mock exam.
- Once hired, register with the apprenticeship authority right away so your hours are recorded.
Practice for the Red Seal electrician exam
This page covers the route into the trade. For the exam itself, our main page is the Canada electrician exam guide: the Red Seal Construction Electrician exam format, the Quebec CCQ route, the wiring code and the official links in one place.
Try the free Canada electrician practice test in your browser. The questions are original and follow the Red Seal Construction Electrician exam breakdown and the Canadian Electrical Code; Quebec’s CCQ exam is not covered yet. The one-time Canada exam pack unlocks every Canada question and a printable PDF version, with no subscription.
FAQ
Do I need a job before starting an electrical apprenticeship in Canada?
In most cases yes. On-the-job hours are most of the program, so you need an employer to register you.
What do electrician apprentices earn?
Job Bank lists C$20.00 an hour as the low wage for electricians in Canada. Apprentice rates are set under provincial rules, so ask your authority.
Can I apply without experience?
Yes. Apprenticeship is the entry route, and a pre-apprenticeship course can make you easier to hire.
Sources
- Ellis Chart: Construction Electrician
- Job Bank: Electrician wages in Canada, NOC 72200
- Red Seal: Construction Electrician
Page updated: 2026-09-30. Figures were read from the linked official pages on 2026-09-30.
About the author: Engineer Tsai moved from an office job into electrical and MEP field work in Taiwan and holds Taiwanese indoor wiring and water piping technician certificates. Engineer Tsai has not completed a Canadian apprenticeship or held a Canadian certificate, so every Canadian rule on this page links to its official source.
