According
to the Canadian Occupational Projections System, over the period 2017-2026, new job openings for industrial
electricians are expected to total 14,500.
The job opportunities arise from the expansion demand and high
retirement rates of the aging workforce. To take advantage of this trend and be
able to access well-paid jobs across the country industrial electricians can obtain
Red Seal certification which will validate their knowledge and experience in
all provinces and territories of Canada.
What is the
scope of work of industrial electricians?
Industrial electricians install, maintain, test,
troubleshoot, service and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated
electrical controls. Their work includes equipment or components directly or
indirectly exposed to electrical power such as motors, generators, pumps and
lighting systems.
Industrial electricians must read and interpret prints,
drawings and codes for layout and installation of electrical equipment. They
install, service and maintain electrical components such as lighting fixtures,
switches, conduit and electrical controls. Industrial electricians test
electrical systems and continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure
system safety and compatibility. They conduct preventative and predictive
maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.
What is the
Red Seal program?
•
The Red Seal
Program, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, is a
program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across
Canada;
•
The Red Seal
Program was created in 1952;
•
The Canadian
Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) is responsible for the Red Seal
Program;
•
Each province and
territory is responsible of apprenticeship training and trade certification in
their jurisdiction;
•
All provinces and territories and the federal government participate as
members of CCDA.
The
benefits of the Red Seal program
The Red Seal program allows the trades persons in
the designated number of occupations challenge the exam and receive a Red Seal
Endorsement (RSE) on their provincial/territorial trade certificate. This
endorsement demonstrates that the tradesperson has all the skills, competence
and knowledge to practice their trade anywhere across Canada without need for
any further examination.
Red Seal for industrial electricians can help
built employers’ trust in their expertise and increase the earning potential.
Red Seal certification is recognized as the common national standard for this
trade meaning that the person holding it meets all the requirements of the
employer and the industry.
Pathways
towards Red Seal certification
The industrial electrician trade is Red Seal
designated in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Yukon.
There are two main pathways of how to get the RedSeal for industrial electricians:
1.
Through apprenticeship program: The
certification can be obtained through an apprenticeship program, which is open
to everyone and usually takes up to four years to complete, depending on the
trade. The apprentice will have to find an employer who would be willing to
sponsor them.
2.
By challenging the exam: Experienced
tradespersons in Canada or recent immigrants with extensive trade experience in
their home countries, can challenge the Industrial Electrician Red Seal exam. If they successfully pass
the exam, they will be granted the Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal
endorsement in the industrial electrician trade.
The Red
Seal Exam
The Red Seal exams are administered by
provincial/territorial apprenticeship bodies and are trade-specific. Meaning
that for an industrial electrician, the exam covers skills and knowledge
required in the industrial electrician trade. The examinations check whether
apprentices and tradespersons meet the Canadian standard for this occupation.
The exams typically contain between 100 and 150
questions. The pass mark for the Red Seal exam is 70%. Below is the breakdown of the interprovincial Red Seal Examination -
the percentage of the total number of questions on the exam assigned to each of
the major tasks of an industrial electrician:
Performs Common Occupational Skills - 11%
Installs and Maintains Generating, Distribution
and Service Systems - 25%
Installs and Maintains Wiring Systems - 19%
Installs and Maintains Rotating and Non-Rotating
Equipment and Control Systems - 18%
Installs and Maintains Signalling and
Communication Systems - 9%
Installs and Maintains Process Control Systems - 18%
Red Seal official website offers the detailed examination
preparation guide for every trade. It describes the trade’s skill requirements
and the major tasks and activities the tradespersons perform. It can be used to
self-assess and prepare for writing the Red Seal examination.
When getting ready to challenge the Red Seal exam
a tradesperson can also seek professional help from the experienced instructors.
Ashton College offers Red Seal Exam Prep Course that is designed to guide the
challenger through the process of filling out the exam application, preparing
them for the exam and connecting with employers once they successfully pass the
exam.
