Ontario — Province Guide
How to Become an Electrician in Ontario
The 309A Construction & Maintenance Electrician is Ontario’s main pathway — a compulsory trade regulated by Skilled Trades Ontario. Here’s how the apprenticeship works, what each route looks like, and what you earn at the end.
Ontario’s three electrician trades
Before you pick a school, confirm which trade you’re aiming for — they lead to different work and different credentials.
| Trade | Main work | Total hours | Entry | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 309A Most common Construction & Maintenance | Commercial, ICI, construction, maintenance | 9,000 h | Grade 10 | Yes |
| 309C Domestic & Rural | Residential and rural wiring | 7,200 h | Grade 10 | Yes |
| 442A Industrial Electrician | Factories, plants, industrial systems | 9,000 h | Grade 12 | No |
Not every “electrical program” leads to a Certificate of Qualification. Ontario colleges offer Electrical Techniques and similar programs that teach electrical theory — but completing one does not make you a journeyperson. A C. of Q. comes from completing a registered apprenticeship (309A, 309C, or 442A) and passing the STO exam. Our directory marks each listing clearly.
The 309A pathway at a glance
Route A — Employer first
Find sponsoring employer → Register training agreement with STO → Level 1 in-school → Levels 2–4 in-school (one per year) → 7,950 OJT hours → C. of Q. exam → Journeyperson
Route B — Pre-apprenticeship first
Government-funded pre-apprenticeship (tuition-free) → 8–12 week work placement → Secure employer sponsor → Register with STO → Continue from Level 2 → Journeyperson
Route C — Union (IBEW)
Apply to IBEW local → Union connects you with employer → Same STO apprenticeship hours and exam → Journeyperson
The 309A apprenticeship structure
9,000 hours total: 7,950 on the job + 1,050 in-school across four levels.
| Level | In-school hours | ~Weeks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 270 | ~9 wk | Common core (shared with 442A) |
| Level 2 | 270 | ~9 wk | Common core (shared with 442A) |
| Level 3 | 270 | ~9 wk | Common core (shared with 442A) |
| Level 4 | 240 | ~8 wk | 309A-specific: construction & maintenance |
| Total | 1,050 | ~35 wk |
Career snapshot — 2024
2,430
Certificates of Qualification issued in 2024
$34
Median hourly wage, journeyperson (Job Bank, 2023–24)
$35–50
Reported salary range per hour (WPO, 2024)
4–5 yr
Typical time from first registration to C. of Q.
Sources: Skilled Trades Ontario 2024 Trade Report; Workforce Planning Ontario 2024; Job Bank Canada (updated November 2025).
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between 309A, 309C, and 442A?
309A is the broad credential covering commercial, ICI, and maintenance work — what most contractors require. 309C is residential and rural only, with a shorter apprenticeship (7,200 h vs. 9,000 h). 442A is industrial and non-compulsory. Levels 1–3 in-school training is shared between 309A and 442A; only Level 4 differs.
Is the 309A a compulsory trade?
Yes. In general, people performing work within the scope of the trade must be registered as an apprentice, hold a Provisional C. of Q., or hold a C. of Q., subject to specific statutory exemptions under Ontario law.
Are pre-apprenticeship seats easy to get?
No — they fill quickly, especially at well-known colleges. Apply early and apply to multiple programs. Seats at Centennial, Niagara, and Georgian have had wait-lists in past years. In the Greater Toronto Area, you can compare all nine providers on our Toronto electrician schools page.
Can I transfer my apprenticeship from another province?
Apprentices with previous training or experience in another province can apply to STO for recognition of prior training. Red Seal and other interprovincial recognition rules may also apply. See STO’s current transfer information for the process.
Find an electrician school in Ontario
30 schools: public colleges, IBEW training centres, pre-apprenticeship programs. Filter by program type, city, and pathway.
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What training costs across Canada — tuition, tools, fees and wages.
Sources
- Skilled Trades Ontario — 309A, 309C, 442A trade information and apprenticeship structure
- Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — ECRA/ESA contractor licensing
- Workforce Planning Ontario — Labour Market Insights Report 2024
- Government of Canada Job Bank — Construction electrician wages for Ontario (updated November 2025)
Requirements and statistics were current as of September 2026. Verify against STO before making enrollment decisions.