21 – 37 Weeks
Construction Electrician Foundations Program
Build a strong foundation in electrical theory, safety practices, controls, and hands-on installation skills while preparing for success in the skilled trades industry.
Duration:
24 Weeks (Full-Time)
Program Fee:
$10,010
Schedule:
Morning, Evening, Weekends
Wages:
$34
Request Information
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Become a Construction Electrician
The Construction Electrician Foundations Program is a comprehensive training course designed to provide students with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to begin working in the construction industry. This program focuses on the essential electrical principles, safety practices, and technical competencies that are crucial when working with electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects.
Next Intakes
Contact our admissions team today or request information on upcoming program start dates.
Preliminary Designated by Skills Trade BC
Career Opportunities in CONSTRUCTION TRADE
Become an Essential Member of the Construction Workforce
$34*
Graduate Employment HOURLY Rate
*Based on Canada Job Bank
Graduates of the Construction Electrician Foundations Program can pursue a variety of entry-level opportunities within the residential, commercial, and industrial construction sectors.
- Pre-Apprentice Electrician
- Electrical Helper
Why Study at Western Community College
Western Community College offers students an inclusive and vibrant learning environment, with dedicated support services to ensure your academic success and personal well-being.
- Installment-based, low tuition fee.
- Choose weekday, weekend, or evening classes to fit your schedule.
- Part-time or full-time class schedule.
- Free CLB preparation classes (*Conditions Apply).
Begin Your CAREER Path in Electrical Trade
Admission Requirements
17 years or above and English and Math Requirements as follows:
To demonstrate language proficiency, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Option 1 – Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8–12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages. Completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of C is required.
This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
Option 2
2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).
*Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
Option 3: Standardized Language Test
Achievement of minimum scores on a recognized standardized language test. Test results should be valid at the time of enrollment.
| Name of English language assessment/test | Minimum score(s)/level(s)* |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Minimum overall score of 5.5 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT | Minimum overall score of 46 |
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | Minimum overall score of 40 |
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) | Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5. |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Minimum overall score of 95 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Minimum overall score of 43 |
| Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) | Minimum overall score of 160 or ‘C’. Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)). |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | Minimum overall B2 level |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Minimum overall B2 level |
| The Michigan English Test (MET) | Minimum overall B2 level |
| iTEP Academic | Minimum overall score of 3.5 |
| EIKEN | Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1 |
Validity period of above Language Assessment Tests is two years.
Option 4
Mature student applicants: Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above.
Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
| Accuplacer Component | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 235 |
| Reading | 235 |
| WritePlacer | 4 |
Note: Assessment of Prior Education Where English is the Language of Instruction
As an option for proof of English language proficiency, institutions may accept evidence that an applicant has successfully completed a specified minimum of full-time secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. Documentation demonstrating this evidence must be provided in English.
Education completed (in English) in the following countries will be considered as counting toward an assessment of prior education in English:
The following countries are recognized for education completed in English:
| American Samoa | Dominica | Lesotho | St. Kitts & Nevis |
| Anguilla | Falkland Islands | Liberia | St. Lucia |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Fiji | Malta | St. Vincent & the Grenadines |
| Australia | Gambia | Mauritius | Tanzania |
| Bahamas | Ghana | Montserrat | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Barbados | Gibraltar | New Zealand | Turks & Caicos Islands |
| Belize | Grenada | Nigeria | Uganda |
| Bermuda | Guam | Seychelles | United Kingdom |
| Botswana | Guyana | Sierra Leone | US Virgin Islands |
| British Virgin Islands | Ireland | Singapore | USA |
| Canada | Jamaica | South Africa | Zambia |
| Cayman Islands | Kenya | St. Helena | Zimbabwe |
Math: Math 11 with Grade of C or more OR Math Entrance Test Conducted by WCC with a grade of 60% or more.
Apply Now
Take the next step toward your future!
Gain the skills you need for success and take the first step toward a rewarding career. Enroll today to learn essential industry knowledge, enhance your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities.
Apply NowCourse OUtline
Core Courses in CEF Program
Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge required for a successful career as a Pre-Apprentice Electrician.This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
720
Total program
hours
150
Workshop Experience HOurs
$34
Graduate Employment HOURLY Rate
97%
Graduate Employment Rate
| Title of Course/Work Experience Component | Hours |
|---|---|
| Course Introduction and Trade Math: CEL1-1 | 30 hours |
| Students will be introduced to their instructor, the program outline, facilities along with college student guidelines and expectations. Students will study effective learning strategies to promote healthy study habits. Students will learn strategies for learning and deductive reasoning. They will problem-solve using mathematics and the correct use of calculator for metric prefixes and Algebra. | |
| Communication Skills and Safety: CEL1-2 | 30 hours |
| Students will learn of specific types of personal protective equipment, safety equipment and personal safety precautions, as well as emergency equipment and means of egress for the electrical trade. A comprehensive understanding of lock out and tag out procedures are vital in the electrical field and will be explained and utilized thoroughly. Protection from arc flash and methods to prevent electric shock will also be covered extensively. | |
| Circuit Concepts: CEL1-3 | 60 hours |
| Students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of electricity. Beginning at the structure of matter, the lessons move into concepts of electrical charge and current flow, methods of producing electricity, and the relationship between power and energy. Electrical quantities, units and symbols are also introduced, including metric prefixes, all of which lead to the basic operation of electrical circuits and how to perform calculations by applying electrical circuit concept laws. An introduction into meter readings and identification of basic drawings is also covered. | |
| DC Circuits: CEL1-4 | 60 hours |
| Students study the characteristics of common conducting materials and conductor forms, as well as common insulating materials used for conductors and the application of various types of conductors. The measurement and sizing of conductors, calculation of resistance, ampacity, line loss and line drop are all discussed and practiced extensively. A strong understanding of the concepts covered in this portion of the course are of fundamental importance in solving electrical circuit problems going forward. | |
| Electromagnetism: CEL1-5 | 30 hours |
| Analyze the principles of electromagnetic circuits. Emphasis is placed on understanding the operating principles of electromagnetic devices such as motors, generators, solenoids, relays, contactors and motor starters in addition to solving problems. General concepts of alternating electrical current generation are also examined. | |
| Circuit Concepts 3, Alternating Current Generation: CEL1-6 | 30 hours |
| Analyze concepts of alternating current generation by applying previous learning theories from A1 and A3. Understand operating principles of electromagnetism, electromagnetic induction, and left-hand rules. Practical application of concepts for troubleshooting in the field. | |
| Electronics: CEL1-7 | 60 hours |
| Students will analyze electronic circuits as well as solve electronic problems by learning the characteristics of semiconductor materials, features of diodes and transistors and connecting and testing of electronic devices. | |
| Metering Equipment and Communication Systems C4: CEL1-8 | 30 hours |
| Students will cover how to safely use measuring and testing equipment while also learning of the procedures to install a structured cable system. Participants will be given a demonstration on how to terminate CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors and verify proper termination. | |
| Lighting and Branch Circuitry: CEL1-9 | 30 hours |
| Students will learn about installing and maintaining branch circuitry including luminaires, wiring devices, lighting controls in addition to lighting standards that follow Canadian Electrical Code and National Building Code standards. | |
| Canadian Electrical Code 1, Organized Work and Distribution Systems: CEL1-10 | 30 hours |
| Students begin this portion of the course with a thorough explanation of how to interpret the CEC and its rules. Having a solid understanding of how to read this document is pertinent in the trade and one of the most practical topics in the program. Participants discuss how to install single phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment including the features of a single-phase three-wire distribution system, service entrance equipment and determining requirements for when CTs and PTs are not required. | |
| Canadian Electrical Code 2, Service Equipment, Grounding and Bonding: CEL1-11 | 30 hours |
| Students continue with the fundamentals covered in the first portion of the CEC study. This section refers to the installation of ground fault, arc fault and surge protection devices, including identification of protective devices and their requirements. Discussion on low voltage distribution equipment including types of distribution centres and its components and requirements are also covered. The participants also learn about the installation of ground and bonding, appropriate materials and the requirements for grounding systems as they relate to residential installations. | |
| Canadian Electrical Code 3, Cables, Raceways, Enclosures and Protective Devices: CEL1-12 | 30 hours |
| Students discuss the installation of conductors and cables, raceways, boxes and fittings. They will learn how to identify and choose appropriate conductors for different types of installations and environments, as well as calculate conductor ampacity requirements by using the CEC and its tables. | |
| Organized Work and Motor Controls: CEL1-13 | 60 hours |
| Students engage in the practice of using residential prints, drawings and manuals, and specifications to locate information and use construction drawings to develop a material take-off. The participants will learn how to identify symbols and describe conventions for schematic, wiring and single-line diagrams, use diagrams to convey information and covert between schematic and wiring diagrams. This leads into a comprehensive lesson of interpreting and creating motor control schematics and ladder diagrams, in addition to the maintaining of motor starters and controls as the students practice varying complexities of process control programs. | |
| Workshop Based Learning Projects: CEL1-14 | 150 hours |
| Students will learn more about the specific materials used in residential and commercial installations and gain hands on experience installing said materials. Students will apply their knowledge of safety and the use of PPE as they engage in workshop activities designed to reinforce the learning outcomes of safety, communication, organized work, branch circuitry and the application of the Canadian Electrical Code. | |
| Program Review and Standardized Level Exam Preparation: CEL1-15 | 30 hours |
| Students will spend this time reviewing all content covered in the course in preparation for their SLE. Both Apprenticeship binders and the Canadian Electrical Code will be required for this review. Time will also be spent on Skilled Trades BC’s website to walkthrough the SLE breakdown of the exam and prepare students for what to expect from each portion of the course. It is important to note that the participants should be informed in the weeks leading up to the end of the course of their personal responsibility to prepare themselves as early as possible for these exams effectively. | |
| First Aid Training, Fall Arrest, MEWP Training | 30 hours |
| Students will complete industry-recognized safety certifications including First Aid Training, Fall Arrest, and Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Training to support safe work practices in the electrical trade. | |
| Total Hours | 720 hours |
- First Aid Training
- Fall Arrest
- MEWP Training
Program Duration
Full Time: 24 Weeks
Hours: 720
*Other scheduling options are available.
Fee Structure
Tuition & Financing
We offer competitive tuition rates and flexible financing options to make your education at Western Community College both accessible and affordable.
Finance Options Available
Western Community College offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to ease students’ stress and allow them to focus on their studies. If you need extra support, we have flexible funding to accommodate all our students, no matter their financial situation.
BC Student Loan
In-house Financing
Student Line of Credit
Scholarships
Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.
Finance Options