- Program Length24 Weeks
- CredentialCertificate
-
Location OfferedNanaimo
Are you looking for a hands-on, well-paying career that is also mentally stimulating? VIU’s 24-week Electrician program teaches students to assemble, install, test, repair and maintain electrical equipment for commercial, residential and industrial facilities. Attend electrician school on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, and learn all aspects of the electrical trade from instructors who care about your success.
Get job ready for positions available both locally and throughout British Columbia and Canada.
The Electrician Certificate Program
For more information and schedules visit VIU's Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeship page. For Apprenticeship Registration: call 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6112
The Vancouver Island University Electrical Department provides both Foundation and Apprenticeship training. Foundation training prepares graduates for employment in the electrical trade where the electrical worker plans, assembles, installs, tests, repairs and maintains electrical equipment and systems in residential, commercial, industrial and marine facilities.
Foundation Electrician Program
The Foundation Electrician program provides trades training that grants graduates a Vancouver Island University certificate as well as SkilledTradesBC Electrician Level I Certification. Graduates of this program may receive credit towards the technical portion of the first year of the Electrical Apprenticeship program. In order to complete the apprenticeship and become a journeyperson, graduates would find an employer in the industry to provide the on-the-job training and 10 weeks in-school training per year in each of the next three years.
|
Electrician Program |
|---|
|
ELEF 111T - (Apply Circuit Concepts 1) |
|
ELEF 121T - (Apply Circuit Concepts 2) |
|
ELEF 131T - (Trade Safety, Organization and Communication) |
|
ELEF 141T - (Install and Maintain Electrical Components & Systems) |
|
ELEF 151T - (Work Experience) |
| Essential Skills |
|
ESFE 100T - (Personal Management Skills) |
|
ESFE 105T - (Trades Math) |
|
ESFE 110T - (Business Operations) |
|
ESFE 115T - (The Emerging Workplace) |
|
ESFE 120T - (Employment Strategies) |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
- Grade 12, or equivalent, or mature student status.
- Minimum 17 years of age.
- Minimum grade "C" in English 11 or Technical and Professional Communications 12.
- Minimum grade of "C" in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, or Pre-calculus 11.
- Valid BC driver’s license.
- Successful completion of assessment testing.
- See also Trades general admission requirements.
Recommendations for Admission
- English 12, Mathematics 12, and Physics 12
Notes on Admission
- Those with a good reasoning, basic science, mathematical, and study skills will experience the most success.
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Work Placement Opportunities
SkilledTradesBC Electrical Apprenticeship Information
The apprentice level training provides provincially certified apprenticeship training for registered Electrician apprentices in Level 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Electrical apprenticeship program consists of 4 years of on-the-job experience combined with in–school technical training in order to become eligible to write the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson certification.
For more information on apprenticeship training, please visit SkilledTradesBC, or phone 1.866.660.6011, or call the Apprenticeship Clerk at Vancouver Island University toll-free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6112. For more information and schedules visit VIU's Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeship page.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (6 months x $499.20 per month) |
2,995.20 |
|
Lab fee |
323.41 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition and lab fee) |
132.74 |
|
Student Services fee (4.417% of tuition) |
132.30 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (6 months x $27.60 per month) |
165.60 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
1,300.00 |
|
Total |
5,314.25 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
UpdatedDomestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Location | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing |
Nanaimo
|
September 2, 2025 (Full); November 10, 2025 (Full); February 2, 2026 (Full); September 8, 2026(Full) |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 8, 2026
Application Fee
$45.16
Waitlist
Yes
Testing Required
Yes
Admissions Assistant
Name: Jamie Mollins Chair Contact
Name: Shane Dalager Documentation Deadline
Students will be added to the wait list once their application is complete. Comments
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Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
Amanda Dawe
“I’ve found it positive to be challenged to truly understand the material, not just pass the tests. My classes have been a place of inclusion and provide an enriching learning environment. I have had the pleasure of instructors who push you to a complete understanding of the trade -- to know the theory and not just memorize.”
Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology Department is administering a self-assessment test which will be mailed out to applicants after they have applied.