Electrical – Industrial Maintenance and Controls

Overview

This program is the perfect next step for those with foundational electrical training, offering practical experience and deeper insights into electrical motors, controls, transformers, solid-state technologies and automation.

Emphasizing troubleshooting and problem-solving, you learn to manage and calculate transistors for various circuits, alongside installing and maintaining key components like transformers, single-phase and three-phase motors, motor controls, PLC systems, integrated circuits, amplifiers, solid-state drives and AC generators.

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.

Choose NSCC

• This program places a high importance on providing you with skills and knowledge to work safely in industry. To prepare for employment, you participate in safety awareness courses.

Other info

• Industrial safety standards require that you have adequate vision and colour perception to operate safely, in the shop and in the field, while performing tasks of this trade.
• Many employers in this industry require a current, official criminal record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Strait Area Campus Port Hawkesbury	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• Electrical Construction and Industrial certificate or recognized work experience and/or training
  • International students – Submit your official post-secondary documents for assessment. View document and language requirements by country

Program requirements

• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Electrical - Industrial Maintenance and Controls

Career options

• Graduates find employment in electrical construction, production plant operation and maintenance, public utilities and electrical supply.
• Learn more about labour market information. View career options

Future study options

• Electrician is a compulsory certified trade in Nova Scotia. Once employed you are required to register as an apprentice with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency as per the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Act.
• Red Seal Endorsement -  Individuals who complete an apprenticeship program are eligible to write the inter-provincial exam. A Red Seal allows certified tradespersons to practise the trade in any province or territory in Canada where the trade is designated.
• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

ELED 1100 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply new skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.

ELED 3000 - Power Supply/Rectification
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skill required to install and troubleshoot problems with power supplies, rectifiers, and power electronic control circuits.

ELED 3001 - Transformers
This course is designed to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the operating characteristics and installation procedures for transformers.

ELED 3002 - Single Phase Motors
This course presents the operating characteristics and installation procedures for various types of single phase motors and their associated controls. An examination of these motors for the operational effects due to load and supply fluctuations will be completed in controlled conditions.

ELED 3003 - Motor Starters and Control Devices I
This course is designed to provide the information required to understand the components and their application in control circuits. The material covers from basic wiring concepts and their control options to some of the circuit components used for selected control. Circuit logic and how it applies to specific operations is also covered. Material also covers motor starters / controllers, their selection and installation according to design criteria, and their associated overload devices.

ELED 3004 - Motor Starters and Control Devices II
This course is designed to provide the information required to select and install the various control devices of the electrical industry. Motor applications and motor control centres are covered. Material will also cover enclosure layout and component installation according to design criteria.

ELED 3005 - Programmable Logic Controllers I
This course is designed to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the components and installation requirements of a PLC. This course will provide the learner with an opportunity to install, connect, verify and troubleshoot most problems associated with an installation. Basic programming using discreet instructions will be introduced.

ELED 3006 - Programmable Logic Controllers II
This course provides the learner with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter a set of operating instructions in a programmable controller based on operational designs as well as converting ladder type general wiring diagrams. Connecting real world inputs and outputs will be completed and run after setup and programming. Modification of existing applications and design of original systems will be covered.

ELED 3007 - Integrated Circuits and Amplifiers
This course is designed to introduce the principles of integrated circuits, amplifiers and drives. Application, installation and procedures for troubleshooting these areas are covered.

ELED 3008 - AC Generators/Three Phase Motors
This course is designed to present the information required to select and install three-phase motors. An examination of these motors for the operational effects due to load and supply fluctuations will be completed in controlled conditions. Material also covers the operating characteristics and installation procedures of various types of AC generators.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 1020 - Safety Basics – Restricted Spaces
The learner is introduced to the basic requirements and procedures involved with working in restricted spaces. The definition and potential hazards of restricted spaces are discussed The course material is infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1022 - Safety Basics – Working at Heights
The student is introduced to hazards and responsibilities concerned with working at heights in the workplace. Guardrails, travel restraints, roof work, fall arrest components will be discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Safety Basics – Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces students to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the student is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

WORK 1100 - Workplace Mentoring I
This unit of instruction is designed to assist learners in managing their learning as an apprentice in the workplace. Learners will study their own experiences with learning new skills and identify their own learning preferences as an aid to developing learning strategies.