Job prospects Electrician in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "electrician" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Electricians (except industrial and power system) (NOC 7241) in Ontario for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Most work in construction, mainly as building equipment contractors

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Construction activity is expected to be favourable across Ontario over the forecast period, supporting opportunities in this occupation
• Large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, and public facilities, and improved commercial construction
• Steady demand for new housing to meet population growth including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario’s largest urban centres
• Home renovation projects and the need to repair and upgrade buildings and public spaces

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• There are two compulsory skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario named Electrician – Construction and Maintenance, and Electrician – Domestic and Rural
• Knowledge of troubleshooting techniques or preventative maintenance software may be required
• Knowledge of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code

• Knowledge of safety practices such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

• Individuals that work with solar photovoltaic systems may require specific training and certifications
• Some positions may require completion of a working at heights training program

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• A valid driver’s licence may be required to visit various sites
• Ability to be on call for emergency repairs

There may be more work during the spring and summer because of greater construction activity

Here are some key facts about Electricians (except industrial and power system) in Ontario:

• Approximately 35,700 people work in this occupation.
• Electricians (except industrial and power system) mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 85%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 94% compared to 79% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 6% compared to 21% for all occupations
• 63% of electricians (except industrial and power system) work all year, while 37% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 31 weeks for all occupations.
• 16% of electricians (except industrial and power system) are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 47% compared to 6% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 33% compared to 26% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "electrician" in Ontario or Canada.

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