The demand for qualified electricians continues to grow. Vancouver Career College's Construction Electrician Foundation program prepares students to enter an electrical apprenticeship with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
This intensive program teaches students the principles of electrical work and about common topics like heating, alarms and lighting. Students learn essential math and physics, equipment testing, electrical code, interpreting sketches and power tool use. Safety practices and regulations are also covered and students learn about Workers' Compensation Board and Safe Work Practices.
Students learn in labs and shops and then put their training into practice during the course of a six-week practicum placement.
“Getting my diploma has put me on track to achieve all of my goals. I could not have done this without the support I got from friends, instructors and staff at the college.” - Margaret I., Vancouver Career College Graduate
This program is 27 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Electrical Apprentice
- Installing and Maintaining Electrical Power
- Lighting
- Heating
- Control
- Alarm
- Data and Communication
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
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| SSSE |
Student Success Strategies |
25 |
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- Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume and learn how to write effective cover letters.
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| TRD1000 |
Math Review and Safe Work Practices |
25 |
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- This course introduces WCB (WorkSafeBC ) and work-place practices. Instruction includes proper use and inspection of safety equipment, access equipment safety, confined space entry, personal protective equipment and elimination of hazards in the equipment and workplace. The student becomes familiar with the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation as well as the electrical safety regulations set out by the BC Safety Authority. Confidence is gained by working with electricity as electrical safety is particularly stressed. Daily safety plans are developed. In addition the students receive Occupational First Aid Level 1 and WHMIS training. This course includes a review of the physics and math components required as a foundation to understanding the basic electrical principles. The course consists of a mathematical review of working with whole numbers, common and decimal fractions, percents, averages and estimates, powers and roots, ratios and proportions, units of measure, trigonometry and formulas. Students will begin applying these mathematical concepts to working with metric and imperial units, work, power, energy torque and the use of simple machines.
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| TRD1200 |
Introduction to Hand Tools |
25 |
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- The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the basic hand tools used in construction and maintenance. Students will learn how to use common tools safely, and how to maintain those tools.
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| TRD1300 |
Introduction to Power Tools |
25 |
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- Students will be introduced to basic power tools and the importance of their proper use and care. It provides valuable safety information for each type of tool discussed.
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| ELE1000 |
Safety and Rigging Techniques |
25 |
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- Students will begin this course by learning and applying WHMIS rules and regulations thereby obtaining a WHMIS certificate. They will then learn safe work practices including proper use and inspection of safety equipment, personal protective equipment, access equipment safety, confined space entry including the elimination of hazards with equipment within the workplace. They will also learn fire safety and become familiar with Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations while stressing electrical safety. Correct lock-out procedures will be examined and performed by the students ensuring confidence at the work site. Students will finish this course by learning safe rigging techniques. They will be able to describe slings, demonstrate hand signals for crane operation and inspect lifting devices.
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| ELE1100 |
Electrical Circuit Concepts |
50 |
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- Students will begin applying mathematical concepts in working with metric and imperial units, work, power, energy and the use of simple machines. Basic circuit concepts such as power supplies, control devices, protection devices, and conductors will be introduced. Following the presentation of these fundamentals of physics, students will then learn about the basic principles of electricity through classroom and laboratory activities. Students will examine the various types of meters used in the electrical trade including the voltmeter, ammeter and ohmmeter. This will lead into the study of the concepts and components of basic circuits. Students will then apply this knowledge by designing assembling and analyzing basic electrical circuits.
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- Students will examine the properties and operating characteristics of series, parallel, combination, voltage divider, bridge, and 3-wire DC circuits in the classroom and laboratory with emphasis on fault detection and troubleshooting. Basic circuit concepts such as power supplies, control devices, protection devices, and conductors will be introduced. Analysis will follow using electrical measuring instruments, Ohm's Law, Watt's Law, and Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws. Students learn the characteristics of electrical system wiring methods for a variety of applications and choose the proper wiring method for an assortment of installation requirements.
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| ELE1300 |
Principles of Magnetism |
25 |
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- Students learn the concepts of magnetism and electromagnetism. Emphasis is placed on understanding the operating principles of electromagnetic devices such as motors, generators, solenoids, relays, contactors, and motor starters. Alternating current electrical generation is examined too.
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| ELE1400 |
Meters and Test Equipment |
50 |
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- Students examine and design the internal circuitry of galvanometers, ammeters, voltmeters, watt meters, watt-hour meters, and ohmmeters. Throughout the course, students will be given the opportunity to practice using the meters for measuring current, voltage, resistance, power, and energy through a series of practical laboratory exercises and assignments.
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| ELE1500 |
Construction and Circuit Drawings |
25 |
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- Students engage in the practice of reading and interpretation of working drawings and sketches. Electrical blueprints and plans are studied with emphasis on schematics, wiring diagrams, power risers, and block diagrams.
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- Students will learn the basic components of a computer system. They will become proficient at installing and uninstalling computer software, creating and storing data all the while gaining confidence in their use of the internet.
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- An extensive coverage of industrial motor control systems is undertaken. Students learn elementary control circuits, then design, construct, and troubleshoot elaborate circuits. This portion of the program includes extensive lab and shop components. Wiring systems unique to industrial settings are studied and installed in the shop.
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| ELE1800 |
Analyze Electronic Circuits |
50 |
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- Students are introduced to solid-state components using a variety of power supplies, transistors, and diodes to construct rectifier circuits. Lab analysis is employed to observe operating characteristics of these circuits.
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| ELE1900 |
Electrical Code and Installations |
50 |
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- Students study sections of the Canadian Electrical Code, as well as relevant sections of the Electrical Safety Act of British Columbia, and the ULC Standards for Fire Alarm Systems. Emphasis is placed on practical application of the code. Students learn the characteristics of electrical system wiring methods for a variety of applications and choose the proper wiring method for an assortment of installation requirements.
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- This module is for course credits but has no grade. Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee for the six weeks in order to gain the valuable “real world” experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory. (PR: All coursework completed with the exception of CESE)
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| CESE |
Career and Employment Strategies |
25 |
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- Students will have the opportunity to review and discuss the final practicum placement. Theory that has been presented throughout the program will be revisited and students will complete review assignments and a final competency exam. Simulated practice will be given in panel interviews as well as practice scenarios for job interviews. Students will update their resumes and cover letters. Students will have use of a Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers.