Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship

Learn the necessary skills to become an apprenticed residential, commercial or industrial electrician.

Share this program

  Email   Print
Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship student works in the lab

Campus

  • Kelowna
  • Vernon
  • Penticton
  • Salmon Arm
View training schedule
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $3,883.60 (Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm) $3,936.00 (Vernon)

  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Program details

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca

This 24-week program provides students with little or no previous experience in the electrical trade with the necessary skills to seek employment in that industry as an apprentice electrician. The program exposes the student to aspects of residential, commercial and industrial systems in this trade with a focus on developing practical skills. The curriculum follows the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development guidelines for the first-year in-class components of the Electrician Apprenticeship, which includes installation procedures in compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code for residential, commercial and industrial systems.

Set on becoming an Electrician but unsure which direction you want to head in the trade? The first three levels of technical training for Electrician are considered "core," so you have time to decide whether you want to pursue a Red Seal in Construction Electrician or Industrial Electrician. Upon successful completion, this program provides you with your first level towards either stream. 

Looking to become dual ticketed? This program will set you on the path to achieve your Red Seal in both Construction Electrician and Industrial Electrician. With a Red Seal in one stream, you receive Level 1 to 3 technical training credit for the second stream. This reduces your amount of schooling to one single level. In addition, you will also receive 4,500 work-based hours towards the second stream taking you one step further to having two tickets.

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of the trade:

  • Lift and carry tools, equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to approximately 30 pounds
  • Lift, carry, hold and operate hand and power tools from below grade to above shoulders
  • Stand on concrete, dirt, rock, asphalt, wood, etc. for extended periods of time
  • Bend, stoop, kneel or crawl to perform electrical tasks
  • Work in confined spaces and trenches
  • Work in both indoor and outdoor venues, through all seasonal challenges
  • Push/pull and carry electrical construction materials and troubleshooting equipment
  • Climb extension ladders, and work on scaffolding at heights

Recommended student characteristics:

  • Good general health and respiratory condition
  • Capable of doing physical work
  • Physical strength and stamina compatible with the handling of heavy equipment and materials
  • Ability to tolerate noise and vibration
  • Good balance and coordination to walk on uneven ground for up to 8 hours per day
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Satisfactory eyesight, line, form and depth perception
  • Willing to work in team and individual environments 

Textbooks and supplies required by students taking the Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship program include (total $603.66):

  • Electrical Math Modules $14.25
  • Elec App Level 1 Harmonized Binders $239.79
  • Canadian Electrical Code 2021 $205.79
  • Electrical Level 1 Code and Applied Prints, BC Reg. Resource $103.29
  • Electrical Pre-Apprentice Modules $31.25
  • Level 1 Learning Guide L-1 Grounding and Bonding Systems $9.29

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.


Other required supplies
  • Scientific calculator – recommended Sharp EL-520XBWH
  • Three ring binders and lined paper
  • Pens, pencils, highlighter, Sharpie marker
  • CSA-approved safety boots
  • CSA-approved safety glasses (clear only)
  • CSA-approved hard hat (yellow only)

Tools

When purchasing your tools, be sure to purchase only professional-grade tools. Remember you will be making a living using these tools, and a lesser quality tool will need frequent replacement.

Mandatory tools
  • Tool pouch and belt
  • Wire stripper (#10 to #18 AWG)
  • 9” linesman's pliers
  • 8” diagonal cutting pliers
  • 9 1/2” cable cutter
  • 8” long nose pliers
  • 10” tongue and groove pliers
  • 3/16” cabinet tip screw driver
  • 1/8” cabinet tip screw driver
  • 1/4” x 4” flat screw driver
  • #1 Phillips screw driver
  • #2 Phillips screw driver
  • #6 Robertson screw driver
  • #8 Robertson screw driver
  • Electrician’s knife (hawkbill)
  • Measuring tape – 3/4” by 25’/8m combination tape
  • Voltage detector (non-contact 50-1000 VAC)
  • 9” magnetic torpedo level
  • 12” hacksaw
  • Straight clawed hammer
Suggested/optional tools
  • Centre punch
  • #0 Robertson screw driver
  • #3 Robertson screw driver
  • 8” or 10” adjustable wrench
  • Drywall saw
  • Hex key sets (5/64” to 1/4” )
  • Aviation tin snips – straight cut

All power tools and equipment required will be supplied by Okanagan College.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort, will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt, at no additional cost, after a two-week study period. 

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements, provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College, within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

ElectricalPreApprenticeship

Admission requirements

  • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.

  • English 12 with minimum 50% or alternatives.

  • Math requirement:
    • A minimum of 67% in any of:
      • Pre-calculus Grade 11
      • Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
      • Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11
      • Workplace Mathematics 11
      • Principles of Mathematics 11
      • Applications of Mathematics 11
      • Apprenticeship Mathematics 12
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 011
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
      • Adult Basic Education IALG 011
    • Or a minimum of 85% on the Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) mathematics test. Test scores are only good for two (2) years.
      • Applicants who have not satisfied the Math requirement within the last seven (7) years must write the TEA Mathematics test and must receive a minimum of 85%.

Program outline

Components

ELEC 101 - Trades Math
ELEC 102 - Trades Science Concepts
ELEC 103 - Safe Work Practices
ELEC 104 - Rigging & Hoisting Equipment
ELEC 105 - Hand Tools
ELEC 106 - Portable Power Tools
ELEC 107 - Principles of Electricity
ELEC 108 - Electrical Circuits
ELEC 109 - Conductors & Raceways
ELEC 110 - Test Equipment
ELEC 111 - Controls and Lighting
ELEC 112 - Prints & Drawings
ELEC 113 - Canadian Electrical Code
ELEC 114 - Solid State Devices
ELEC 115 - Level One Technical Exam

Notes:

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade. Please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics (https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/electrician-pre-apprenticeship).
Passing grade is a minimum of a graded average of 70% overall.
Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

Experience

Join an info session or become a student for a day.

Ask

Have your questions answered by an advisor or recruiter. 

Apply

Take the next step and enrol in a program or course at OC.