Nova Scotia Apprenticeship
Electrician Apprentice Training And Certification

Each province in Canada is responsible for overseeing electrician apprentice training and certification.

This department is responsible for vetting businesses to make sure they qualify as training centers, and it administers tests, holds logged hours, and awards certifications.

To enter a Nova Scotia apprenticeship, you must first find an eligible employer. Not any employer qualifies.

There must be a certified electrician available to provide one-on-one instruction to you and oversee your safety. In addition, the facility or working conditions themselves must be up to certain standards. Finding an eligible employer can be done by searching want ads for electrician apprentice job postings or by contacting a training center for job leads. Qualified employers work closely with training centers so when openings arise, the centers may be aware of them.

Before you can start a Nova Scotia apprenticeship, you must already be employed. Your employer and you will then sign an apprenticeship agreement that outlines your duties and responsibilities and those of your employer. This official document is then registered with the government and you become a registered electrician apprentice.

As an electrician apprentice, the majority of your skills will be learned on the job while working under the supervision of a certified electrician. However, about 20 percent of your training, or around five weeks out of every year, will be done in a classroom such as the Nova Scotia Community College. You will be released from work during these classroom training periods where you will learn the theory behind electrician work.

There is a tuition requirement for classroom studies, plus you may have to buy textbooks, supplies and tools. You might qualify for one of the various financial aid programs to help pay these fees. There are grants from $700 to $1000 available for each year of training and a final completion award up to $2000 you can apply for. In addition, you may be able to get tax credits and special deductions for the tools you need for your job as an electrician apprentice.

Under agreements through the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Program, your employer will also pay you a steady paycheck when you work as an apprentice. It will be less than what you will earn once you complete the training since your skills will be limited during your training. However, you will have steady income while you learn a new trade and since your training lasts for four years, you will have a means of supporting yourself during that time.

When you work as an electrician apprentice, except for the weeks you are away for classroom learning, you will be expected to perform as you would on any other job. You will work full-time and must abide by the regulations of your employer. In addition to performing your job well, it must also be your top priority to work hard to learn new skills so you can advance through your training at the expected pace as set forth through the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Program.

Your employer also has responsibilities. They must provide a certified professional to teach you new skills and supervise your work so you are held to high standards and kept safe. In addition, your employer must properly log and report your working hours to the Apprenticeship Training and Skills Development division (ATSD).

The ATSD of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Program is responsible for maintaining all records of your electrician apprenticeship and the scheduling of your examinations. They will also keep in close contact with you and your employer to make sure you are progressing as you should and they will act as an intermediary if problems come up.

When your Nova Scotia apprenticeship training is complete, and you pass the final examination, you will earn a certification that allows you to work in all provinces in Canada. Future employers will recognize the training you received and view you as a valuable addition to their company. You can earn a good salary working as an electrician in a variety of settings or use your training as a stepping stone to a more advanced and better paying niche in the industry.

There are many advantages to pursuing an apprenticeship. You can earn while you learn, the cost of your education will be much less than a traditional college, and you will be learning a trade that is always in demand.

To get more information, call Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Office.