Manitoba Apprenticeship
Start Your Electrician Career

Completing the apprenticeship is recognized in all provinces in Canada just like a diploma from a traditional university.

Unlike traditional college, most of the training you receive as an electrician apprentice is done on the job and you get paid a regular wage and may even qualify for employee benefits as well.

You can start planning your electrician career early in life and take pre-apprentice programs in high school once you have turned 16. Many people don't know what they want to do for a career that early though and decide after several years in the workforce they want a change. Mature students can also enter a Manitoba Apprenticeship Program, and may even be able to earn credit for skills already learned.

Working as an electrician or even as an electrician apprentice can only be done legally if you are certified or registered as an apprentice in a Manitoba Program. This is because of the dangerous nature of the job. So while you learn while working on the job, your training is overseen by a government body to ensure your skills meet minimum standards and you are safe while learning.

Most of your training, nearly 80 percent, will be done on the job, and most of that will be done working one-on-one with a certified electrician. Part of your training takes place in the classroom where you learn about theory and other aspects of the job of an electrician. If helps if you have had classes in science and math, or if you have an aptitude for those subjects. In order to become licensed through the Manitoba Apprentice Program, you'll have to pass a test that includes both technical skills testing and theoretical testing.

Once you have decided you want to become an electrician apprentice, your next step is to find a sponsor into the Manitoba training Apprenticeship program. A sponsor is actually an employer. He works with you and the government program to make sure you are kept safe and you learn the skills you need. Your employer and you must sign papers and file them with the Manitoba Apprentice Program in order for you to receive a registration number so you can begin your training.

As you learn and clock hours, your employer will file reports so you get credit for your time. In addition to credit, you will also be paid a minimum wage so you can support yourself just like you would with any other job. You might even get employee benefits such as health coverage depending upon the employer you choose to work with.

The Manitoba Apprenticeship training program takes four years to complete. As you advance each yearly level, you may receive a wage increase as your skills improve and you take on more and more responsibility. You could also be eligible for financial assistance from the government to help pay for your training. These are usually awarded as you advance each level much like financial aid for college is awarded after each school year.

After your training is complete, you have one final test to take that will qualify you for certification. You must receive a score of at least 70 percent to pass. When you pass this test, you prove you have the technical skills and theoretical understanding necessary to work as an electrician and are awarded an interprovincial certificate by the Manitoba Program for apprenticeship. This means you are eligible for employment in all Canadian provinces.

Working as an electrician apprentice prepares you for a rewarding career as a certified electrician where you can take on many diverse responsibilities and work in any area of Canada you choose. You'll be able to enjoy job security in a trade that is always in demand. An electrician apprentice job isn't always easy but since your training must meet the high standards of the Manitoba Apprenticeship Program, you can rest assured you will be regarded as a valuable potential employee when it comes time to switch jobs. If you are lucky and find a good sponsor, you may decide to spend your career with the same company and complete your training with four years seniority under your belt. No matter how you look at it, the Manitoba Apprenticeship Program is an appealing career choice.