Electrician Foundation

Set on becoming an Electrician but unsure which direction you want to head in the trade? The first three levels of technical training for Electrician are considered "core," so you have time to decide whether you want to pursue a Red Seal in Construction Electrician or Industrial Electrician. Upon successful completion, this program provides you with your first level towards either stream. 

Looking to become dual ticketed? This program will set you on the path to achieve your Red Seal in both Construction Electrician and Industrial Electrician. With a Red Seal in one stream, you receive Level 1 to 3 technical training credit for the second stream. This reduces your amount of schooling to one single level. In addition, you will also receive 4,500 work-based hours towards the second stream taking you one step further to having two tickets.

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of the trade:

• Lift and carry tools, equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to approximately 30 pounds
• Lift, carry, hold and operate hand and power tools from below grade to above shoulders
• Stand on concrete, dirt, rock, asphalt, wood, etc. for extended periods of time
• Bend, stoop, kneel or crawl to perform electrical tasks
• Work in confined spaces and trenches
• Work in both indoor and outdoor venues, through all seasonal challenges
• Push/pull and carry electrical construction materials and troubleshooting equipment
• Climb extension ladders, and work on scaffolding at heights

Recommended student characteristics:

• Good general health and respiratory condition
• Capable of doing physical work
• Physical strength and stamina compatible with the handling of heavy equipment and materials
• Ability to tolerate noise and vibration
• Good balance and coordination to walk on uneven ground for up to 8 hours per day
• Good manual dexterity
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Satisfactory eyesight, line, form and depth perception
• Willing to work in team and individual environments 

Textbooks

The current total cost of the textbooks is approx. $650.

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

Textbooks available online only at the OC Campus Store.

The booklists on OC Campus Store website will be updated 3 times a year (January, April and mid-August).
Please check back with the Campus Store 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

If you have any questions regarding the booklist, please call OC Campus Store, 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

Required supplies

• Scientific calculator – recommended Sharp EL-520XBWH
• Three ring binders and lined paper
• Pens, pencils, highlighter, Sharpie marker
• CSA-approved safety boots
• CSA-approved safety glasses (clear only)
• CSA-approved hard hat (yellow only)

Tools

When purchasing your tools, be sure to purchase only professional-grade tools. Remember you will be making a living using these tools, and a lesser quality tool will need frequent replacement.

Mandatory tools

• Tool pouch and belt
• Wire stripper (#10 to #18 AWG)
• 9” linesman's pliers
• 8” diagonal cutting pliers
• 9 ¹/₂” cable cutter
• 8” long nose pliers
• 10” tongue and groove pliers
• ³/₁₆” cabinet tip screw driver
• ¹/₈” cabinet tip screw driver
• ¹/₄” x 4” flat screw driver
• #1 Phillips screw driver
• #2 Phillips screw driver
• #6 Robertson screw driver
• #8 Robertson screw driver
• Electrician’s knife (hawkbill)
• Measuring tape – ³/₄” by 25’/8m combination tape
• Voltage detector (non-contact 50-1000 VAC)
• 9” magnetic torpedo level
• 12” hacksaw
• Straight clawed hammer

Suggested/optional tools

• Centre punch
• #0 Robertson screw driver
• #3 Robertson screw driver
• 8” or 10” adjustable wrench
• Drywall saw
• Hex key sets (⁵/₆₄” to ¹/₄” )
• Aviation tin snips – straight cut

All power tools and equipment required will be supplied by Okanagan College.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort, will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt, at no additional cost, after a two-week study period.

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements, provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College, within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.