In this article, we look at the top electrician schools in Montreal. Electricians are servicemen who handle the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems in houses and other buildings.
Some of the equipment they work with include outlets, switches, cables, and wires.
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For you to become a certified electrician in Montreal, you need to have completed an apprenticeship program that is accredited by Commission de la Construction du Québec (CCQ). This is usually a 4-year program that combines both theory and hands-on training.
Soon as you round up your apprenticeship program, you will be eligible for the CCQ exam to become a journeyperson electrician. These are persons qualified to work independently on electrical projects.
Minimum Requirements for this Course
Although minimum requirements may vary from school to school, here is a general overview of the basic requirements you would need to gain admission into the program.
Ensure you visit each school website to see if there are any extra requirements you must fulfill.
- Grade 10 English and math.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Valid driver’s license
- Completed drug test.
Some schools offering this program may require applicants to have prior experience in the field or may set an aptitude test for applicants.
The length of the program depends on what school you apply to and what program they offer; most programs take between 2 to 4 years.
During the program some general concepts you will be introduced to include the basics of electricity and the skills and knowledge you would need to work as an electrician.
Employment Opportunities and Job Prospects
There are great employment prospects for electricians in Montreal as CCQ has estimated that there will be a shortage of around 1500 electricians in Montreal by 2025. This is largely due to the increasing demand for electrical work and the aging workforce.
Electricians also make good money in Montreal. The average salary for an electrician is $65,000 per annum. The salary can be higher or lower depending on the type of work the electrician does, their level of experience, etc.
Skills You Need as an Electrician
There are certain must-have skills for any electrician. Below I have listed essential skills you must possess when carrying out maintaining, repairing, and installing of electrical systems in buildings and infrastructures.
Technical Knowledge
As an electrician, you must have a deep understanding of the theoretical aspect of electrical engineering, its principles, and codes.
You must be proficient at reading and understanding electrical blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics.
An electrician must also have good knowledge of local electrical codes and regulations that are specific to Montreal and Quebec. Lastly, under technical skills, an electrician must be able to inspect and troubleshoot electrical systems.
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Physical Stamina
As an electrician, you must be fit to work in various working conditions and environments which may also include restricted spaces and tall heights.
You should be able to carefully handle heavy materials and equipment. Lastly, you should be able to use all hand and power tools, testing equipment, and meters.
Analytical Mindset
As an electrician, you should be able to recognize patterns, diagnose electrical problems and find long-lasting solutions.
You should develop a creative mindset that can generate technical approaches to complicated issues. You should also be able to deal with random changes in job specifications.
Communication Skills
Your ability to speak clearly and stay on topic and write to team members, supervisors, and clients is very important.
You should be able to technical processes and concepts to non-technical persons in a simple way.
Attention to Detail
You must be able to pay attention to avoid mistakes during installations and connections which could prove to be very dangerous to human lives and properties.
It is good to also double-check your work just to ensure that you did the right thing in the first place or make any corrections if you made mistakes.
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Customer Service
As an electrician, especially one who works independently, it is important to show concern and do follow-ups when dealing with customers.
You must also be courteous when dealing with clients.
Time Management
Doing an electrician’s job is not an easy task, chances are you have a lot of work lined up for you, so, you must ensure that you are good at proper time management, so you can effectively do your work without burning out or feeling frustrated.
Continuous Learning
You must partake in continuous learning to stay updated on the latest technologies and methods used within the electrical space.
Computer Literacy
For your designing, documenting, and planning of electrical work, being proficient in the computer would save you a lot of time and energy.
Some of the applications you need to get familiar with include computer-aided design (CAD) software and building information modeling (BIM).
Business Aspect
You need to understand the business side of things especially if you would like to operate as an independent electrician.
Things like project management principles, budgeting, and cost estimation are things you need to understand.
Other important aspects include procurement processes and material sourcing.
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Teamwork and Collaboration
There are some projects that would require working with other professionals.
In those types of jobs, you need to be able to work with a team and ensure you all play your part to achieve the same goal.
Ethical Conduct
There is a professional demeanor and appearance you need to have when dealing with clients at job sites.
You also need to practice integrity and honesty as this would improve the relationship between you and your clients.
The List of Electrician Schools in Montreal
Below are the top electrician schools in Montreal. Ensure you visit each school to find out more information about each of them.
École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
This program is handled by the Department of electrical engineering at the university. The programs offered cover important concepts like vision and microelectronics, energy transport, digital processing, telecommunications, and computer systems.
They boast of a close relationship with the electrical industry, primarily around three major axes: power electronics and industrial control, telecommunications and microelectronics, and the field of imaging, vision, and artificial intelligence.
This relationship is attested to by the numerous research projects that faculty members undertake as well as the contracts and sponsorships they receive. Find more information here.
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Vanier College
At this program offered at Vanier College, you will be able to install, maintain, calibrate, and program computerized equipment and instrumentation used in automation, robotics, and telemetry.
Learn to tackle problems in a constructive, practical, and expert manner, combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, spend a lot of time doing hands-on lab work in recently renovated facilities, concentrate on science’s technical parts, utilize your innate organizational abilities, technological ability, and flexibility in problem-solving, and also become in demand for employment by contemporary enterprises in the manufacturing and electronic sectors. Find more information here.
Dawson College
This program is for those who want to learn how to construct electronic circuits and systems, comprehend how commonplace electronics and communication systems function, interact with people who share your interest in cutting-edge technology, work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment using some of the most cutting-edge technologies, and enroll in a program with a high employment rate.
This program only offers the computer and networks profile as a career path for now. In the computer and networks specialization, you will learn the installation of software and hardware, also how to service and configure a computer and its peripherals.
Meanwhile, in the electronics course, you will learn how to work with embedded systems using both hardware and software tools.
You also learn how to make printed circuit boards and carry out soldering according to industry standards. Lastly, you learn how to build electronic circuits, troubleshoot and make measurements. Find more information here.
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Concordia University
This school offers a 4 to 5 years bachelor’s degree program. You can practice using the equipment you’ll use in the field at their cutting-edge labs for digital electronics, electric power systems, microfabrication, circuits, and digital communications. You will also: through labs, seminars, and projects
Design communications systems (protocols, antennas, channel modulation, networks), design power electronics for renewable energy and electric transportation, learn signal processing techniques for analysis of biomedical signals, design control systems for airplanes and other vehicles, and design circuits and electronics systems.
You also get to work in a Co-op program to gain practical experience in the electricity, telecommunications, and microelectronics sectors. Find more information here.