The program uses a hands-on training approach, focusing on industry-specific practices in our workshop. The necessary theoretical knowledge is integrated to enhance the practical skills. You’ll also get to go on industry tours to see different work environments.

After a math review, you’ll learn to safely use hand tools, power tools, and test equipment. You’ll also learn basic electrical theory, how to read drawings, and how to install low-voltage systems. The program also introduces you to the Canadian Electrical Code and includes training for WHMIS and Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C certification.

Career occupations for graduates of an electrical foundation harmonized program include electrician, electrical technician, maintenance technician, renewable energy technician, automation specialist, control systems technician, and electrical engineer assistant.

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent (General Education Development, Adult Basic Education) or mature student status (age 19 and one year out of school). All transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals.

Prior to acceptance, applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and meet each of the following requirements listed under items 1) and 2) below.

1) Fulfill Math Assessment Requirement

Math Assessment requirement

• Domestic Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%
• OR
• b) Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.
• International Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%.
• OR
• b) International students can meet the Math Entrance Assessment requirement by providing an equivalent to Canadian High School Math 10, 11 or 12 with a passing grade of ‘C’. The credential must be evaluated and verified.

2) Fulfill Language Proficiency requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria (a, b, c, or d)

• a) Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages*.

  *Applicants are advised to contact ACE Community College to confirm whether their country is officially recognized as one where English is a principal language of instruction for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

• b) 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

  *Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

• c) Provide official, verified transcripts showing results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below, with scores that meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified for each test.

  Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program

  • International English Language Testing System:(IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
  • Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
  • Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
  • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Mature student applicants ONLY:

• d) Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:
  • I. Applicant must provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages.

• II. Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • ✓ Reading: 230
  • ✓ Writing: 230
  • ✓ WritePlacer: 4

The aim of this program is to provide learners with the necessary skills and aptitude required to advance their career as an electrical apprentice in various settings: residential, commercial, and other electrical contractors. Students will learn all of the general area competencies required for work-based training and Level 1, understand the apprentice pathway to certification, and be prepared to write the Skilled Trades BC (Formerly ITA) exam for the Electrical Foundation harmonized program at the conclusion of the technical training. Foundation training prepares students to begin work in the construction industry. Students who complete this program will acquire a breadth of knowledge and develop the necessary habits concerning safety, time, and materials management, hand tools, and power tools. Various practical projects are performed in a shop environment to enhance students’ skills in layout, assembly, installation, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices, and related equipment in buildings and other structures.

At the end of the Foundation program, students will write the Construction Electrician Level 1 exam. Students who complete the Foundation program and exam are eligible for Skilled Trades BC (Formerly ITA) credit in Construction Electrician Level 1 apprenticeship and 350 work-based hours. Foundation training prepares students to begin work in the construction industry. Students who complete this program will acquire a breadth of knowledge and develop the necessary habits concerning safety, time, and materials management, hand tools, and power tools. Various practical projects are performed in a shop environment to enhance students’ skills in layout, assembly, installation, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices, and related equipment in buildings and other structures.

• 1) Electrician Apprenticeship Program: Level 1: Harmonized (2018) – Print Edition – Two Binder Set.
  • a. AUTHOR: Skilled Trades BC (Formerly ITA)
  • b. PUBLISHER: Queen’s Printer
• 2) C22.1-24 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (26th edition), Safety Standard for Electrical Installations
  • a. AUTHOR: CSA Group
  • b. PUBLISHER: CSA Group
• 3) Electrical Foundations Harmonized Program Exercise Book
  • a. AUTHOR: ACE Community College
  • b. PUBLISHER: ACE Community College
• 4) Electrical Foundations Harmonized Program Lab Book
  • a. AUTHOR: ACE Community College
  • b. PUBLISHER: ACE Community College

Reference Books (Optional)

• 1) Delmar’s Standard Textbook of Electricity, 7th Edition
  • AUTHOR: Stephen L. Herman –
  • PUBLISHER: Nelson Canada
• 2) Applications of Electrical Construction
  • AUTHORS: Robert Clidero and Kenneth Sharpe
  • PUBLISHER: Irwin
• 3) Electrician’s Guide To AC Motor Control
  • AUTHORS: Richard Cox
  • PUBLISHER: COXCO (2017)
• 4) AC Fundamentals
  • AUTHORS: Duff and Herman
  • PUBLISHER: Delmar
• 5) DC Fundamentals
  • AUTHORS: Loper and Tedson
  • PUBLISHER: Delmar
• 6) Electrical Wiring – Residential
  • AUTHORS: Mullin and Fraser
  • PUBLISHER: Nelson Canada
• 7) Practical Problems In Mathematics For Electricians
  • AUTHORS: Herman
  • PUBLISHER: Delmar
• 8) Ugly’s Electrical References 2017
  • AUTHORS: Ed Hart
  • PUBLISHER: J&B
• 9) Basic Electricity (2Nd Ed) Schaum’s Outline
  • AUTHORS: Gussow
  • PUBLISHER: McG
• 10) Basic Mathematics For Electricity & Electronics (Schaum’s)
  • AUTHORS: Beiser
  • PUBLISHER: Mhr

• The total program hours are 725.
• The full-time program length is 20 weeks (36.25 hours per week).

Homework expectation is a minimum of five hours per week to support the course learning.

Course delivery is instructor-led, which combines theory lectures with laboratory demonstrations and practical laboratory engagement.

• In-class lecture including demonstrations
• Focused course activities
• PowerPoint Presentations as applicable
• Application-based exercises

Self-test quizzes are used as a means of validating the student’s module progress. Students are best to use these self-test quizzes as a means of identifying their strengths and the areas they can improve upon. Areas of difficulty are best addressed by seeking additional assistance. A quiz (campus tests) is included in the course grade, which is taken upon completion of each module. A minimum of 70% is required to pass each test.

The final Skilled Trades BC (Formerly ITA) exam is also taken on the last day.

• Successful completion of all on-campus tests, including with Skilled Trades BC (Formerly ITA) exam, with a minimum of 70% overall average.
• Successful completion of level 1 First Aid and WHMIS training, which will be completed during the program.