Electrical Construction and Industrial - Accelerated

Overview

Electricians work in various buildings and facilities – on everything from lighting and climate control systems to communication equipment. An electrician's work involves assembling, installing, commissioning, testing, maintaining, servicing and operating electrical systems and equipment.

Employers are looking for electricians capable of working in residential, commercial and industrial settings who can respond to constant technological changes.

This program offers practical and theoretical training in both construction and industrial trades.

• Classes take place during regular hours. Students can expect longer days than regular, full-time study programs.
• Classes continue throughout the summer.
• You must be prepared to attend classes on site at the Digby Learning Centre.
• Students are required to attend mandatory trade and safety orientations.

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

• You benefit from our expert faculty, who bring years of experience and strong industry connections to the classroom.
• You get hands-on and practical training. This program teaches a balance of theory and practical application, which means you read and study how to do a job and then you get to apply those skills in a work-like setting.
• 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.

April 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Burridge Campus Classes at Digby Learning Centre	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. 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 Construction and Industrial - Accelerated

Career options

• Graduates are employed 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 trade in Nova Scotia. Once employed you will be required to register as an apprentice with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency as per the Apprenticeship and Trade Qualification Act.
• Red Seal Endorsement - individuals who complete an apprenticeship program are eligible to challenge the inter-provincial exam. A Red Seal allows a certified tradespersons to practise the trade in any province or territory in Canada, where the trade is designated.
• Upon successfully completing the Electrical Construction and Industrial program, you can complete the Electrical – Industrial Maintenance and Controls diploma program or the Electrical Technician program in one additional year of study.

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.

ELEC 1001 - DC Theory
This course is designed for learners beginning a study of electricity. You will use basic math to explain and solve electrical problems. The course is arranged in logical, sequential order to give you a solid foundation in understanding the concepts of electricity.

ELEC 1003 - Residential Wiring
This course covers theory and practice for installing residential wiring. You will interpret and apply proper wiring standards to the Canadian Electrical Code requirements. You will have the opportunity to install cables, boxes, devices, heaters, controls, service entrances, and to work with schematic drawings and symbols to interpret and apply their instructions.

ELEC 1004 - AC Theory
This course is designed as an introduction to alternating current (AC) and its comparison to direct current (DC). You will discuss AC voltage, frequency and waveforms as well as series and parallel circuits. You will learn about electrical characteristics such as resistance, inductance and capacities and carry out calculations associated with AC circuits.

ELEC 1006 - Commercial and Industrial Wiring
This course covers theory and practice for commercial and industrial wiring installations. You will work with schematic drawings and symbols, and apply wiring standards to meet Canadian Electrical Code requirements to install raceways, wireways, cable tray, tubing, fittings, cables and conductors, lighting and motor controls.

ELEC 1010 - Tools and Equipment I
This course introduces the various types of electrical tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and care. You will be required to demonstrate the safe operation and handling of both hand and powered tools. You will learn shop safety standards and apply them in this course and throughout the program. Course material also provides instruction in the interpretation and application of the Canadian Electrical Code.

ELEC 1011 - Tools and Equipment II
This course introduces the various types of access and material handling equipment, and procedures for their safe use and care. Students will be required to demonstrate the safe setup and use of ladders. The course also provides an introduction to communication cabling and the tools and equipment used in this aspect of the trade.

ELEC 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.

ELEC 1106 - Blueprint Reading
This course covers the theory and practice required to read plans and blueprints. You will learn to apply the fundamentals of blueprint interpretation, read floor scaled plans, elevation plans, section drawings, detailed drawings, plot plans, and specifications related to the electrical trade. Estimating skills for projects are also covered in this course.

INDR 1010 - Industry Readiness
A crucial component of trade practice is the ability to share information. Explaining work, applying trade skills and meeting industry standards involves communicating effectively. This course introduces these skills with a trade focus and will help prepare students to contribute to employment and in the classroom. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.

INDR 1020 - Working Effectively in the Trades
Almost all trades professionals will need to work well with others. Students in this course will learn to be effective team members and adapt and analyze how they share information with others. A selection of activities relevant to the particular trade will be used to practice collecting, analyzing and using trade information. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.

MATH 1018 - Fundamental Mathematics for Electricians
This course is designed to review basic math skills. Learners will review adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, decimals, fractions, metric and imperial conversions and algebraic equations.

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 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.

SAFE 1025 - Certified Fall Arrest and Protection
This course provides participants with an understanding of the hazards associated with working from heights and compliance with Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (2013). Throughout the course, participants will gain experience in the donning of a harness, an overview and presentation of system components involved when working from heights and learn how to complete a fall calculation and emergency procedures.

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.