Industrial Electricians

(NOC 7242)

in All Trades and Transportation

Industrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls. They work for electrical contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial businesses.

Job Outlook

Good

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  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 125 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook: good, a better than average chance of qualified individuals finding work.
Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: large, with job opportunities occurring regularly.
Demand: Employment growth will lead to several new positions. Some positions become available due to employee turnover. A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Work hours: full-time, usually. Both permanent and temporary positions are common. There is some self-employment opportunity so the opportunity to work for yourself may appeal to some jobseekers.
Demand for industrial electricians exceeds supply in some parts of the province, which suggests favourable hiring prospects for jobseekers. Those who already have a Red Seal and certification should have little difficulty finding work. Industrial electricians may be self-employed contractors, members of a union, or employed by a single industrial facility. A current barrier to employment for apprentices and those who are considering becoming an industrial electrician is a shortage of journeypersons to supervise them during their apprenticeship.

Hourly Pay

$20.00

Minimum

$32.10

Median

$39.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$25,547

Minimum

$69,719

Median

$122,683

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Industrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls. They work for electrical contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial businesses.

Job duties

Industrial electricians:

  • Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, schematics, and electrical code specifications to determine layout of industrial electrical equipment installations.
  • Install, examine, replace, or repair electrical wiring, receptacles, switch boxes, conduits, feeders, fibre-optic and coaxial cable assemblies, lighting fixtures and other electrical components.
  • Test electrical and electronic equipment and components for continuity, current, voltage and resistance.
  • Maintain, repair, install and test switchgear, transformers, switchboard meters, regulators, and reactors.
  • Maintain, repair, test and install electrical motors, generators, alternators, industrial storage batteries and hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems.
  • Troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial, electrical, and electronic control systems and other related devices.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.
  • May install, maintain, and calibrate industrial instrumentation and related devices.

Sample job titles

  • industrial electrician
  • maintenance electrician - industrial
  • marine electrician
  • mine electrician
  • plant electrician
  • plant maintenance electrician
  • rig electrician
  • ship's electrician

Skills

  • Manual dexterity
  • Planning, organizational, and communication skills
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Mathematical ability
  • Mechanical ability
  • Good vision and hearing
  • Good eyesight and the ability to distinguish colours
  • Physical strength and stamina
  • Communication skills including reading skills
  • Ability to do precision work
  • Computer skills

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with three apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
  • Certification for industrial electricians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for industrial electricians.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Additional construction electrician certification may be required for industrial electricians when the employers are not owners of the industrial electrical equipment.

Other considerations

  • Industrial electricians work either indoors or outdoors in extreme climate conditions. Work may be at heights or in confined spaces.
  • Risks include electrical shocks, arc flashes, falls, and injuries from lifting and kneeling.
  • Industrial electricians typically work a 40-hour workweek. Overtime may be required.
  • Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
  • With experience, industrial electricians may act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may also advance to managerial, inspection, facilitation, or teaching positions.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

990

employed in 2016

96.5%

employed full-time

1.0%

self employed

4.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
96%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.8

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

44.7%

Halifax

$72,809 median annual income
19.3%

Cape Breton

$76,812 median annual income
14.7%

North Shore

$71,782 median annual income
10.7%

Annapolis Valley

$65,711 median annual income
10.7%

Southern

$56,829 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

34.3%

Manufacturing

26.4%

Construction

12.9%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

11.4%

Public administration

5.0%

Transportation and warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

34.0%

25-34

20.0%

45-54

19.0%

55-64

18.0%

35-44

7.0%

15-24

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

48.2%

Trade Certification

$74,504 median annual income
39.2%

College Diploma

$68,500 median annual income
7.0%

High school

$56,777 median annual income
4.0%

Bachelor

$59,558 median annual income
1.5%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Electrician - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs preapre students to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring; and DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels. They include courses in the principles of electronics and electrical systems, wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia

Lakeside, NS

Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing and testing automated, servomechanical, and other electromechanical systems. They include courses in prototype testing, manufacturing and operational testing, systems analysis and maintenance procedures, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Industrial Electronics Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, operate, maintain, and repair electrical/electronic equipment used in industry and manufacturing. They include courses in installing, maintaining and testing various types of equipment.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Industrial Electrician

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS
Mine Electrician (INACTIVE)

Trade Inactive: This trade is currently inactive in Nova Scotia.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Canada
Various, NS
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS
BuildForce Canada
Ottawa, ON
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Halifax, NS
Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades
Lakeside, NS
Merit Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Cape Breton Island Building and Construction Trade Council
Sydney, NS