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Apprenticeship

Power System Electrician

Power system electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and equipment.

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7243: Power System Electricians

2006 NOC-S

  • H213: Power System Electricians

2011 NOC

  • 7243: Power system electricians

2016 NOC

  • 7243: Power system electricians

2021 NOC

  • 72202: Power system electricians

2023 OaSIS

  • 72202.00: Power system electricians
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

In general, power system electricians work in distinct areas: power generation, substation equipment, protection and control, and metering.

In power generation, power system electricians work with systems and equipment such as:

  • Generators
  • Wind turbines
  • Solar arrays
  • Biomass and associated equipment

In substation equipment, power system electricians work with high voltage equipment such as:

  • Circuit-breakers
  • Transformers
  • Switches
  • Switchgear

Their daily work involves adjusting relays, working on safety devices and general maintenance of large switch gear.

In protection and control power, system electricians work with a variety of equipment such as protective relaying and controls and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

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

This work includes the calibration and installation of metering equipment (meters). For example, they may install demand meters when a client company wishes to review the way it is billed for power usage. Based on data from demand meters, recommendations can be made to improve the company’s cost effectiveness.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

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. They may find themselves working at heights or in confined spaces, with frequent walking and climbing of ladders and stairs. They may also encounter lots of bending, kneeling, reaching and crawling, with the added exertion of pushing, lifting and pulling up to 25 kg.

Shift work may be required, and power system electricians should expect to work away from home for extended periods. Although a 40-hour week is normal, power system electricians may be on call at designated times and may be called upon at any hour in an emergency.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Power System Electricians

2006 NOC: 7243

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in precision working to inspect and test installed electrical equipment and apparatus to locate electrical faults

innovative

Interest in analyzing power systems to repair and replace faulty electrical equipment and apparatus

methodical

Interest in speaking with co-workers when installing and maintaining electrical distribution equipment such as transformers, generators, voltage regulators, switches, circuit breakers, capacitators, inductors, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Power system electricians need:

  • Strength and stamina
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Good colour vision
  • Attention to detail and precision
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Computer and math skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Creativity and problem solving skills
  • The ability to understand the theoretical background of their work
  • The ability to work safely and follow safe work practices and procedures
  • The ability to work alone and in a team
  • Adaptability to changing work locations and conditions

They should enjoy variety and thinking of new ways to do things.

Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Apprenticeship

To work in Alberta, a power system electrician must be ONE of the following:

  • A registered apprentice
  • An Alberta-certified journeyperson
  • Someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate
  • Someone who works for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeyperson
  • Self-employed

To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:

  • Have an Alberta high school transcript with at least English Language Arts 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10, or equivalent
  • Have a pass mark in all 5 Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
  • Pass an entrance exam

Most employers prefer to hire post-secondary technical program graduates or high school graduates who have good marks in math, physics and drafting.

The term of apprenticeship is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:

  • 1,590 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of classroom instruction in the first and second year
  • 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in the third and fourth

High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.

Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Power System Electrician

Power system electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and equipment. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Power System Electrician.

Additional Information

Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Power system electricians are employed by utility companies, large industrial facilities and their subcontractors.

Experienced power system electricians may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman and electric services superintendent.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 7243: Power system electricians occupational group, 92.4% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 7243: Power system electricians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Journeyperson power system electricians wage rates vary but generally range from $40 to $55 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 50% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60% in the second, 67.5% in the third and 75% in the fourth.

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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