The demand for qualified electricians continues to grow. Vancouver Career College's Construction Electrician Level 1 program prepares students to enter an electrical apprenticeship with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
The Construction Electrician Level 1 program teaches students the electrical theory they need to advance in their apprenticeships. The aim of this program is to provide learners with the necessary skill and knowledge required to maintain employment as an electrical apprentice.
The program builds on students' understanding of safety and rigging techniques, electrical circuit concepts, and construction and circuit drawings. Students will build their computer skills, be introduced to solid-state components using a variety of power supplies, and examine and design the internal circuitry of galvanometers, ammeters, voltmeters, watt meters, watt-hour meters, and ohmmeters.
“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 10 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Advanced Electrical Apprenticeships
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
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| ELE1001 |
Safety and Rigging Techniques |
18 |
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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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| ELE1101 |
Electrical Circuit Concepts |
36 |
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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. Analysis will follow using electrical measuring instruments, Ohm’s Law, Watt’s Law, and Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws.
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| ELE1401 |
Meters and Test Equipment |
30 |
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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 are 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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| ELE1501 |
Construction and Circuit Drawings |
18 |
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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 are 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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| ELE1801 |
Analyze Electronic Circuits |
30 |
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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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| ELE1901 |
Electrical Code and Installations |
30 |
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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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| ELE1999 |
ITA Exam Review |
30 |
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- Students review the identified learning outcomes from the entire program to prepare for the ITA Level 1 exam. Practice questions, concepts review, and general overview of the exam requirements are reviewed.