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LENGTH OF STUDY:
21 Weeks

ACCREDITATION:
Certificate

CAMPUS:
Silver King Campus, Nelson

This 24-week program will provide students, even
those with little or no experience, the necessary skills
to seek employment in the trades as an apprentice
electrician.

The program teaches aspects of residential,
commercial and industrial wiring with a focus on
residential. The curriculum follows the Industry
Training Authority (ITA), BC Ministry of Advanced
Education and Labour Market Development guidelines
for the first year of the “in class” component of the
electrical apprenticeship, which includes installation
of electrical equipment in compliance with the
Canadian Electrical Code.

Students engage in a variety of classroom,
laboratory, and shop activities. Students learn
theoretical principals of electricity in the classroom,
test their knowledge in the laboratory, and apply their
knowledge in the shop where they design, install

and construct electrical power, lighting and control
systems in compliance with provincial and national
codes.

Students earn credit for the Level One technical
training component of the electrical apprenticeship
as well as advance credit for 350 work-based
hours of the practical on-the-job component of an
apprenticeship.

Graduates of the Electrical Foundation program

at Selkirk College typically find employment as
electrical apprentices engaged in the installation and
maintenance of electrical power, lighting, heating,
control, alarm, data and communication systems in
residential, commercial and industrial settings as
well as numerous other related fields.

LEARN VITAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS

— Canadian Electrical Code Regulations and
Standards

— Circuit concepts and basics

— Control circuit installation

— Low voltage distributions systems installation
— Read and interpret drawings and manuals

— Safe work practices

— Test equipment usage

selkirk.ca/programs

Electrical Foundation

The program addresses the need to cultivate relevant
skills such as teamwork, effective communications,
problem solving, quality of workmanship and the
ability to adapt to ever evolving workplace conditions.

A complete set of tools will be provided ‘on loan’ to
each student with a deposit of $100.00

YOUTH TRAIN IN TRADES

The Youth Train in Trades program was formerly
known as Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry
Training (ACE IT). It is designed to help secondary
school students get a head start on careers in the
trades while earning credit towards their high school
graduation. Learn more online at Industry Training
Authority (http://youth.itabc.ca/programs/train/)

For more information speak with your high school
guidance counsellor or get in touch with Selkirk
College’s Industry and Trades administrative
assistant.

CAREER POTENTIAL
— Electrical systems installation and maintenance

— Residential, commercial and industrial
construction sites

— Foreman, superintendent, estimator or electrical
inspector

— Self-employed contracting business
— Supervisory and management positions

Construction is the major industry employing
workers in this occupational group. The construction
industry is expected to grow at the rate of 1.6%

per year between 2001 and 2011, which is slightly
higher than the provincial average for all industries.
Industry sources expect higher than average levels
of residential construction and thus expect higher
employment growth over the short term.

Prospective students are advised that, due to the
small size of the West Kootenay economy, only

a very low percentage of Selkirk Electrical Entry
graduates find apprenticeships locally. The majority
find employment outside the Kootenays in the Lower

Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, Northeast

BC, and Alberta. Employment success is greatly
enhanced if graduates are willing to relocate.

selkirk.ca/program/electrical-foundation

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following admission requirements are specific to
the Electrical Foundation program:

ACADEMIC
— Graduation from a BC Senior Secondary School

— Math 11 with a grade of “C” or higher

Consideration will be given to mature individuals:
anyone who is not a secondary school graduate (or
equivalent) but who will be nineteen (19) years of
age or older on the first day of classes for the term is
eligible to attend the College as a mature student.

Applications for admission will be received until the
program is full.

An interview (in person or by telephone) with the
School Chair or designate may be required before
entry to the program. Interview results are not used
as criteria for admission.

Contact

TRADES ADMISSIONS

Phone: 1.888.953.1133 ext 13204
Direct: 250.354.3204

Email: trades@selkirk.ca

Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20 RB