Electrical Programs at Ontario Colleges
See how electrical training is structured across Ontario colleges, ranked on an independent six-criteria score.
Compare Ontario colleges offering electrical programs. Learn the 309A and 442A pathways, Red Seal certification, and pre-apprenticeship vs apprenticeship streams.
| Rank | College | Location | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Skilled Trades College of Canada 1
Top Rated
Skilled Trades College of Canada (STC) is a private trades-training college with six campuses across Toronto and the GTA. It offers condensed 12-week pre-apprenticeship programs in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and home renovation, delivered as 80% hands-on learning in lab-based simulated work environments with small class sizes. STC bundles a full professional tool kit, PPE, and industry safety certifications into every program to graduate job-ready apprentices, and has trained over 1,000 students. Woodbridge | Woodbridge | 9.4 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 2 |  Conestoga College is a publicly funded Ontario college whose Reuter Drive Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge — at 322,000 square feet on 40 acres beside Highway 401 — is among the largest dedicated trades training facilities in Canada. It delivers Red Seal apprenticeships in carpentry, electrician, plumbing, millwright, welder, and CNC machinist, plus the fully funded Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) pre-apprenticeship. Over 150,000 sq ft of purpose-built shops and labs include AR/VR-ready training spaces. Cambridge | Cambridge | 7.7 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 3 |  Humber Polytechnic is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1967, rebranded from Humber College in 2024) offering apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training in the skilled trades. Its Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology at Carrier Drive features a 2024 expansion with new HVAC, gas/oil, AR/VR/XR and woodworking labs designed like an actual worksite. Programs span construction and maintenance electrician, plumber, carpenter, millwright, welder, and arborist trades. Toronto | Toronto | 7.5 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 4 |  Mohawk College is a publicly funded Ontario college serving Hamilton and surrounding communities, whose Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship at the Stoney Creek campus trains roughly 2,400 apprenticeship students per year. It offers Red Seal apprenticeship training in electrician, plumber, carpenter, millwright, steamfitter/pipefitter, welder, and motive power trades. The college is recognized as one of Ontario's leading trades training institutions, with a dedicated initiative supporting women and equity-deserving students. Stoney Creek | Stoney Creek | 7.4 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 5 |  George Brown Polytechnic is a publicly funded Ontario college (rebranded from George Brown College in 2024) offering Red Seal apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training across its downtown Toronto and Casa Loma campuses. Skilled trades training includes carpentry, construction and maintenance electrician, industrial mechanic millwright, and plumber, with hands-on lab time and employer placement support. The college acts as a Training Delivery Agent for several Red Seal trades through Skilled Trades Ontario. Toronto | Toronto | 7.4 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 6 |  Durham College is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1967) with campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, offering nine skilled trades apprenticeship programs at the OPG Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. The 60,000-square-foot Whitby facility, opened in 2022, features advanced labs, shops, and a purpose-built boiler lab unique among Durham Region colleges. The college shares its Oshawa campus with Ontario Tech University and offers over 60 academic pathway opportunities into degree programs. Oshawa | Oshawa | 7.3 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 7 |  Centennial College is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1966) recognized for its automotive and motive power trades, including manufacturer-specific Modified Apprenticeship Programs (MAPs) with Ford, Honda, GM, and Toyota. Skilled trades training spans automotive service technician, truck and coach technician, heavy equipment technician, construction and maintenance electrician, and HRAC to Red Seal standards. Programs are delivered with access to simulation labs at the Progress Campus. Toronto | Toronto | 7.3 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 8 |  Herzing College is a registered private career college whose Toronto Skilled Trades campus is an approved training facility of Merit Ontario and the CLAC Union. It offers pre-apprenticeship programs in carpentry, electrician, and plumbing, plus Gas Technician 3 and 2 certification, network cabling, and construction management. Programs are hands-on with in-house workshops and union employer connections that help graduates line up work. Toronto | Toronto | 7 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 9 |  Niagara College is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1967) operating from campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its School of Trades, based at the Welland Campus Rankin Technology Centre, offers welding, electrical, machining, automotive service, and hairstyling programs across advanced labs on 100 acres of green space. The college is also home to Canada's first Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery, and Teaching Distillery. Welland | Welland | 7 /10 | No reviews yet |
About electrical programs in Ontario
Becoming an electrician in Ontario means learning to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems safely and to code. Electrician is a Red Seal trade, and electrical work in the province is overseen by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — so training is built around safety, the electrical code, and supervised hands-on practice. This page helps you compare electrical programs in Ontario across the colleges listed in this independent directory before you apply.
What you'll learn
Electrical programs build the core knowledge an apprentice needs before and during on-the-job training. The exact curriculum varies by college — see each college's profile — but most programs cover foundational topics such as:
- Electrical theory, circuits, and reading schematics and blueprints
- Wiring methods, conduit, and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
- Installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of electrical systems
- Workplace safety, including lockout/tagout and working at heights
Construction vs. industrial focus
Ontario recognizes two main electrician codes: 309A — Construction & Maintenance Electrician (residential and commercial work) and 442A — Industrial Electrician (plant and manufacturing settings). Some colleges align their training with one or both — check each profile to see where a program points.
Apprenticeship and certification
Electrician apprenticeships in Ontario are administered through Skilled Trades Ontario, combining in-class learning with paid on-the-job experience under a sponsoring employer.
- Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed for beginners with no prior trade experience and help build fundamentals before entering an apprenticeship.
- Apprenticeship streams deliver the in-school portion for those already registered with an employer.
Because electrician is a Red Seal trade, certification can support mobility across Canada. Admission requirements, program length, and cost vary by college — see each college's profile.
Career paths
Electricians work across residential, commercial, and industrial settings. An electrical apprenticeship can lead toward roles such as construction electrician, maintenance electrician, or industrial electrician, with further specialization over time.
How to choose a college
When comparing Ontario colleges for electrical training, look at:
- Whether the program is pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship
- Hands-on lab and shop facilities
- Student reviews and reported career outcomes
- Admission requirements and start dates
Use the ranked list above to compare colleges side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is electrician a Red Seal trade in Ontario?
Yes. Electrician is a Red Seal trade, which means certification can support recognition and mobility across Canada. Ontario recognizes two electrician codes — 309A (Construction & Maintenance Electrician) and 442A (Industrial Electrician) — and electrical work in the province is overseen by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
What's the difference between pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship electrical programs?
Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed for beginners with no prior trade experience and build the fundamentals you need before entering an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship-stream programs deliver the in-school portion of training for people already registered with a sponsoring employer. Each college's profile notes which streams it offers and the admission requirements.
What is the difference between 309A and 442A in Ontario?
309A is the Construction & Maintenance Electrician code, focused on residential and commercial electrical work. 442A is the Industrial Electrician code, focused on plants and manufacturing settings. Some colleges align their electrical training with one or both pathways — check each profile to see where a program leads.
Do I need experience to start an electrical program in Ontario?
Most electrical pre-apprenticeship programs are built for beginners and don't require prior trade experience. Apprenticeship-stream programs typically require a registered apprenticeship with a sponsoring employer. Specific admission requirements vary by college — see each college's profile for details.
How are electrician apprenticeships administered in Ontario?
Electrician apprenticeships in Ontario are administered through Skilled Trades Ontario. Training combines in-class learning at a college with paid on-the-job experience under a sponsoring employer, so you earn while you learn before working toward certification.
How much do electrical programs cost and how long do they take?
Program length and cost vary by college, stream (pre-apprenticeship vs apprenticeship), and format. We don't publish a single figure here because it differs from school to school — check each college's profile for current program details, and see our Ontario student loans and grants page for funding options like OSAP.
Still have questions? Contact us.