What an electrical apprentice does
Electrical apprentices learn the trade on the job while working under the supervision of certified electricians. They pull wire, install boxes and conduit, assist with panel work and troubleshooting and gradually take on more responsibility as their skills develop. Apprentices also complete in-school training at set stages, so employers need to plan around those blocks when scheduling their crews and planning for busy periods.
Hiring an apprentice is an investment in your future workforce, and the wrong choice costs months of training time. Finch screens candidates for genuine interest in electrical work, any pre-apprenticeship or college training, hours already logged and basic reliability. For employers sponsoring a first-year apprentice, we look for mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn, not just a polished resume or a list of courses.
Typical responsibilities
- Assisting certified electricians with installations and repairs
- Pulling wire and installing boxes, conduit and cable tray
- Preparing materials, tools and work areas
- Learning to read drawings and follow the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
- Keeping a record of hours and skills completed for the apprenticeship
- Following safety procedures, including lockout and tagout
Qualifications and credentials
- Registered in an Ontario electrical apprenticeship, or ready to register once sponsored
- A pre-apprenticeship program or college electrical diploma is an asset
- Working at Heights and WHMIS training
- Basic math skills, mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn
- Reliable transportation to job sites
Who hires an electrical apprentice
- Electrical contractors
- Residential service companies
- Industrial maintenance departments
- Facility services contractors
Where we recruit electrical apprentice candidates
We fill electrical apprentice roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Apprenticeship status, hours completed and in-school levels
- Interest in the trade and long-term goals
- Attendance and reliability from previous jobs or school
- Basic safety training and aptitude for hands-on work
Interview questions to ask
- Why do you want to become an electrician, and what have you done so far to get started?
- Tell me about a hands-on project you have completed, at work or on your own.
- How would you handle being asked to do a task you have not been shown yet?