Electrical Foundation Program
Overview
The Electrical Foundation Program prepares graduates for employment in the electrical trade where the electrical worker plans, assembles, installs, tests, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment and systems in commercial, industrial, and marine facilities.
This 24-week program covers many aspects of the electrical trade, including:
- Safe Work Practices
- Introduction to the Workplace
- Electrical Math
- Shop, Hand and Power Tool Use
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- DC Circuits
- Electromagnetism and Applications
- Meters and Test Equipment
- Electrical Prints and Drawings
- AC Motor Controls
- Electrical Code & Wiring
- Low Voltage Distribution Systems
Program Costs
See Program Costs for details regarding current fees.
Additional costs
Text books and supplies: $1,300
(All fees are subject to change without prior notice.)
Admission Requirements
See Admission Requirements for more details.
Outcomes
The training grants graduates a Vancouver Island University certificate as well as ITA Electrician Level I Certification. Graduates of this program may receive credit towards the technical portion of the first year of the Electrical Apprenticeship program. In order to complete the apprenticeship and become a journeyperson, graduates would find an employer in the industry to provide the on–the–job training and 10 weeks in–school training per year in each of the next three years. Learn more about VIU Apprenticeships.
Graduates will have gained knowledge and practical experience that may enable them to receive an apprenticeship with an electrical business.
Career Options
Construction electricians work either as employees who are part of a contractor's team, on both residential and commercial construction projects, or as independent electrical contractors on projects.
Job opportunities as an Apprentice Electrician are readily available in the local area and throughout British Columbia and Canada.
After completion of the apprenticeship program and upon receiving the Interprovincial Certificate, you could find work anywhere in Canada.
Currently, there are shortages of skilled workers such as electricians in Canada, and this trend is predicted to continue.
Apply
To become a student in the Electrical Foundation Program, apply to VIU.

Jesse Livingston, Electrician
“I had been working as an Electrician for 8 years without having done any schooling. This was mainly due to the limited options available for training. At the time, I lived in Parksville, so I was faced with either travelling 2 hours North to Campbell River or South to Victoria...”