Apprenticeship Electrician

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Learn to install, maintain, repair and operate electrical wiring and devices safely. Complete all four periods of training to earn your electrician certificate and qualify to take the provincial exam to get your journeyman certificate and red seal exam.

Apply here.

Did you know you need to be a registered apprentice before you can apply to this program?
Find out how at tradesecrets.alberta.ca

Career Potential

Electricians work for residential, construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies, and other large organizations. Construction based electrical work is subject to project based timelines. The nature of this work dictates that an electrician be flexible in both scheduling and location of work. Membership in trade union is voluntary; however, some contractors employ only union people, while others employ only non-union.

Electricians may advance to positions such as foreman, superintendent, estimator or electrical inspector. Some electricians start their own contracting business, but must have a Master Electrician license in order to pull permits. Electricians may work toward additional tickets such as Power System Electrician, Instrumentation and Millwright.

Admission Requirements

Period 1

Students must be a registered apprentice with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), meet the AIT set entrance requirements, and be eligible for identified period training.

Period 2

Successful completion of Period 1

Period 3

Successful completion of Period 2

Period 4

Successful completion of Period 3

Transferability

The technical training is the standard through the Province; therefore apprentices may take their training at Portage College or any college or technical institute in Alberta offering Apprenticeship Electrician training.

Program Start

Period 1 (8 weeks): January 5, 2026
Period 2 (8 weeks): March 2, 2026
Period 3 (10 weeks): January 5, 2026
Period 4 (10 weeks): March 16, 2026
Application Deadlines
For each period, applications remain open until all seats are filled or until the program start date.

Locations
Cold Lake Campus

Delivery
Hybrid Learning

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 1

Tuition $1,044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Materials & Shop Fee $77.00
Total $1,213.49

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 2

Tuition $1,044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Materials & Shop Fee $77.00
Total $1,213.49

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 3

Tuition $1,044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Materials & Shop Fee $77.00
Total $1,213.49

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 4

Tuition $1,524.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Materials & Shop Fee $77.00
Total $1,693.49

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Fee Explanations

Technology Fee This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Athletics & Recreation fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Students’ Association Fees These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

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Apprenticeship Electrician Period 1 Course Listing

This course will provide students with basic fundamentals of work, power, energy, and matter. Students will understand how these forces influence the characteristics of conductors, equipment and circuits. Students will develop an understanding of current, voltage, and resistance. They will apply this knowledge to series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits and their application to Edison Three Wire Distribution Systems.
Hours: 72

Students will acquire the knowledge and understanding of electromagnetic forces. In this course, students will learn the principles and functions of magnetism, induction, generators, cells and batteries.
Hours: 24

This course will allow students to demonstrate knowledge and skills in proper safety procedures using common tools and equipment in the electrical trade. Students will be able to demonstrate a variety of low voltage connections and circuits. These will include low voltage switching, relays, buzzers and chimes.
Hours: 56

Students will be introduced to the contents, structure and application of the Canadian Electrical Code. Specific areas covered are general rules, grounding, feeders, branch circuits, wiring methods, installation of equipment and lighting. The second part of this course will provide students with an understanding of blueprints, dimensioning, scaling and orthographic projections.
Hours: 40

This course is focuses on hands on applications that students are taught in the theory based courses ELEC 105, 110, 115 and 120.
Hours: 48

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 2 Course Listing

The student will describe basic electrical concepts and demonstrate their relationships with calculations in a variety of circuits. This course covers the current limiting effects of resistance, induction and capacitance in an AC circuit, which will be calculated by the student. Introduction to the concepts of inductance and induction to DC and AC circuits are discussed in this course.
Hours: 92

This course is the second period CEC level of Rules and Regulations, covering grounding (sec. 10), services, ampacity of conductors (Sec. 8), and service protection controls for single dwellings and apartments (Sec. 6). An overview of Section 18 Hazardous locations, Section 20 Class 1 locations, Section 22 Corrosive and Wet locations, and Section 24 Patient Care areas are also presented in this course. More detailed and specific plans and drawings are examined and calculated.
Hours: 35

This course discusses the principals of operation and installation of heating and cooling electrical controls and equipment. Temperature sensing devices, gas fired forced air systems, hot water heating systems, cooling systems and HVAC roof top units are discussed in this section.
Hours: 65

This course is focuses on hands on applications that students are taught in the theory based courses ELEC 205, 215, and 220.
Hours: 48

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 3 Course Listing

Codes and Standards Electricians use and apply codes and standards every day in their work environment. Electrical codes and standards are crucial guidelines that govern the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. These codes and standards are established to safeguard the well-being of both the public and electrical professionals, maintaining a high standard of electrical work across the province. This section will focus on motors, transformers, substations, and capacitor banks. Tools, Equipment, and Instruments An Electrician employs a variety of tools, equipment, and instruments throughout their working day. These items extend an individual’s ability to perform activities and functions. Tools, equipment, and instruments come in many forms and configurations and require training and knowledge to utilize them in a safe, effective, and intended manner. This section will focus on knowledge and procedures associated with tools, equipment, and instruments. Components of this section will be integrated and incorporated throughout all periods of the apprenticeship education program.
Hours: 48

Electrical theory, circuit fundamentals, and electronics form the foundational knowledge base for electricians, providing the understanding and skills necessary to design, install, and maintain electrical systems. These concepts are essential for electricians to navigate the complexities of electrical work, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the safety and functionality of electrical installations. This section will focus on three-phase alternating current (AC) systems and connections.
Hours: 75

Electrical systems serve as the intricate network of components and wiring that enables the generation, distribution, and utilization of electricity within various structures. For electricians, a comprehensive understanding of electrical systems is paramount, as it forms the basis for their work in designing, installing, and maintaining safe and efficient electrical installations. This section will focus on machines, motors, and transformers.
Hours: 117

This course is focuses on hands on applications that students are taught in the theory based courses ELEC 335, 345 & 350.
Hours: 60

Apprenticeship Electrician Period 4 Course Listing

This course is focuses on hands on applications that students are taught in the theory based courses ELEC 335, 345 & 350.
Hours: 17

Electrical theory, circuit fundamentals, and electronics form the foundational knowledge base for electricians, providing the understanding and skills necessary to design, install, and maintain electrical systems. These concepts are essential for electricians to navigate the complexities of electrical work, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the safety and functionality of electrical installations. This section will focus on the application of electronics
Hours: 56

Electrical theory, circuit fundamentals, and electronics form the foundational knowledge base for electricians, providing the understanding and skills necessary to design, install, and maintain electrical systems. These concepts are essential for electricians to navigate the complexities of electrical work, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the safety and functionality of electrical installations. This section will focus on the application of electronics
Hours: 74

Electricians use and apply codes and standards every day in their work environment. Electrical codes and standards are crucial guidelines that govern the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. These codes and standards are established to safeguard the well-being of both the public and electrical professionals, maintaining a high standard of electrical work across the province. This section will focus on the practical application of codes and standards in electrical installations.
Hours: 93

Electricians use and apply codes and standards every day in their work environment. Electrical codes and standards are crucial guidelines that govern the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. These codes and standards are established to safeguard the well-being of both the public and electrical professionals, maintaining a high standard of electrical work across the province. This section will focus on the practical application of codes and standards in electrical installations.
Hours: 60