Immigrating to Canada as an Electrician: What You Need to Know

In recent times, Canada has seen a boom in labour demands. Thanks to the improving immigration policies and the high level of demand for skilled workers, the availability of jobs is not a concern. One such in-demand skilled trade profession is that of electricians or industrial electricians in Canada. So, if you are thinking of immigrating to Canada as an electrician, job outlook wise, things are looking very encouraging.

Having said that, given the high demand for certified electricians in Canada, you should probably get a head start on the process if this is a path you are considering. In this article, we will give you a holistic overview of everything you need to know. From the provincial demand and salary rates, essential immigration programs and how you can go about the immigration process, we will cover all the necessary aspects. So, without delay, let’s dive right in!

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Which Provinces Need Electricians?

Well, the answer to that is pretty simple: there is demand all over Canada! However, some provinces stand out in terms of demand and salary rates more than others. According to a 2019 article by Canadianvisa.org, the main provinces that offer experienced electricians competitive employment opportunities are Manitoba and New Brunswick.

These provinces are ideal locations as well for multiple industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and energy and so many more. There is also the quality of life which is great in these provinces. This is thanks to the relatively low cost of living, plenty of social resources and so on. So, if you are planning to immigrate to Canada as an electrician, this might be your best bet.

It is also worth noting that electricians are amongst the highest paid individuals in the skilled worker’s trades. The average electrician in Canada gets an approximate salary of CAD 78,000 per year, according to Glassdoors (Canada). This amount will of course vary from province to province, the hours you work, the company you work with and so on. With that in mind here are some other provinces along with the average salaries you would expect to earn as an industrial electrician:

Provincial Salary Insights for Electricians in Canada

Disclaimer: These numbers were taken from the Canadian Indeed website and they do not reflect the actual salary benchmarks to the exact number. These are just rough estimates. It should also be noted that these numbers can change at any time as the marketplace changes.

Alberta – CAD 69,407 per year

British Columbia – CAD 66,474 per year

Manitoba – CAD 77,473 per year

New Brunswick – CAD 65,756 per year

Newfoundland and Labrador– CAD 69,351 per year

Northwest Territories – CAD 103,954 per year

Nova Scotia – CAD 64,221 per year

Nunavut – CAD 101,852 per year

Ontario- CAD 76,125 per year

Prince Edward Island – CAD 57,214 per year

Quebec – CAD 70,151 per year

Saskatchewan – CAD 68,244 per year

Yukon – CAD 82,642 per year

How to Immigrate to Canada as an Electrician

There are essentially two basic steps you need to take if you want to immigrate to Canada as an electrician.

Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile. When you create this profile, you need to keep in mind your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. These points will either make or break your qualification status for the immigration process. Once you have an adequate CRS score you may even apply for permanent residency. The criteria for the CRS score depend on a few different factors:

Your age
Qualifications
Language Skills: English and French
If you have a partner, then it will check their skills too
Your work experience
Educational qualifications

“Remember, remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President

Step 2: The next thing is for you to complete your Express Entry application within sixty days after you receive the ITA (Invitation to Apply). Whatever you do, don’t start the application process without having your skills and CRS verified. Once you get the ITA, you can’t go back and do the verification.

Also, keep in mind that the Express Entry profile is only valid for a year, so you need to make sure every step is done right from the beginning. Having said that, you need to get your Skills Assessment done. This is where you get your electrician skills, experience and qualifications verified.

This will allow you to get the necessary CRS points as well as the Federal Skilled Trades program application. As a bonus, a positive assessment acts as your Red Seal qualification, which is a crucial certification to have as an electrician in Canada.

Immigration Programs to Consider When Immigrating to Canada

There are of course a few different ways in which you can immigrate to Canada as an electrician. On the one hand, you have the Federal Skilled Trades Program and on the other, you have the Provincial Nominee Program.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program: To qualify for this program, you need to have at least two years of work experience as an electrician. You also need to be able to communicate well in English and/or French.

You need to meet the NOC (National Occupation Code) job requirements of your specific trade and have a valid job offer on hand. Lastly, you need a qualification certificate from the relevant province, territory or federal authority depending on where and who you work with.

This is one of the three federal programs that fall under the Express Entry system. It was put in place to make immigration more accessible to newcomers and can fast-track your immigration process.

The Provincial Nominee Program: This program is geared towards applicants who might be considered semi-skilled, have some experience and have a valid job offer in Canada. Even if you don’t pass the Express Entry screening, you might be allowed to work in a particular province for the fixed duration of your visa. The other advantage of this program is that some of them have Express Entry streams which allow certain Canadian provinces to choose your profile from a draw pool and fast-track the application.

Canadian Work Permit for Electricians

To work as an electrician in Canada and live there, you need a work permit. There are some basic requirements that you need to qualify for to land it. For one, you need a minimum of three years of work experience in the industry as an electrician. You also need to be proficient in English and/or French, have a medical certificate to prove you are in good condition, and proof of no prior criminal charges or a record.

So, there you have it, these are the basics of what you need to know about immigrating to Canada as an electrician. If you would like more information on the details of the immigration process and how to go about it, we would encourage you to check out the official government guidelines on the Canadian government’s website.