Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Workers in this occupational group perform a wide variety of duties, such as testing, troubleshooting and repairing, in the electrical, cable and telecommunications fields. They work for electrical contractors; maintenance departments of buildings, factories, plants, mines and shipyards; electrical power generation, cable television, and transmission and distribution companies; public utilities; and telephone and other telecommunications services and organizations. They may also be self-employed.

Nature of Work

Workers in this occupational group perform a wide variety of duties, such as testing, troubleshooting and repairing, in the electrical, cable and telecommunications fields. They work for electrical contractors; maintenance departments of buildings, factories, plants, mines and shipyards; electrical power generation, cable television, and transmission and distribution companies; public utilities; and telephone and other telecommunications services and organizations. They may also be self-employed.

Duties

Power systems electricians install and maintain transformers, generators, voltage regulators and other electrical power distribution equipment in generating stations or powerhouses. They also inspect, test, and check the operation of installed electrical equipment and apparatus. This is done using volt meters, ammeters and other electrical test instruments and equipment. Power systems electricians are also responsible for repairing or replacing faulty electrical equipment and apparatus and for completing testing and maintenance reports. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies.

Electrical power line and cable workers install, maintain and repair overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated electrical distribution and transmission equipment. This involves erecting and maintaining steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires, and splicing, soldering and insulating conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks. Power line and cable workers also inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment.

Much of the work in this field is done at considerable heights, and workers must often climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets. Conversely, installation or repair of underground cables or power lines requires workers to operate in confined spaces, such as trenches and tunnels. Workers must also adhere to safety practices and procedures when installing and maintaining street lighting systems.

Electrical power line and cable workers must also communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions.

Telecommunications line and cable workers install, remove, maintain and repair aerial and underground telephone and other telecommunication transmission and distribution lines, cables and associated hardware. They also install (but do not repair or maintain) cable television lines and cables. Other duties include splicing and repairing single line, coaxial, fibre optic, and other types and sizes of telephone and telecommunication cables.

Telecommunication line and cable workers analyze, inspect and test telecommunication transmission lines and cables for transmission characteristics and to locate faults. They then record test results. Other duties include climbing and working aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures and working in confined spaces, such as trenches, tunnels and crawl spaces.

Line and cable workers must communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments and assist in the erection and removal of telecommunication poles, towers and associated support structures.

Telecommunications installers install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware. They also test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults and repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wires and associated equipment;

Switch network installers install electromechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres. They also inspect and test trunking systems, circuits and equipment; analyze test results; and adjust, change or repair switching system and associated equipment.

Telecommunications service testers operate computerized testing systems to conduct service tests on customer lines and equipment. They also determine the nature, cause and location of service trouble and initiate the dispatch of appropriate repair personnel. Other duties include completing test reports and maintaining test and service records. Some service testers assist repair personnel to isolate and clear cable faults, verify records, and test lines, circuits and systems.

Telecommunications equipment technicians install, remove and maintain telex and facsimile machines, teletypewriters, mobile radios, cellular telephones, and other related telecommunications systems and equipment. Their work duties include inspecting and testing the operation of telecommunications equipment; diagnosing and locating equipment faults; and adjusting, replacing or repairing telecommunications equipment.

Cable television service technicians communicate with cable television subscribers and company personnel to determine work assignments. These work assignments may include connecting, disconnecting and relocating cable outlets and installing splitters, converters, pay TV equipment and other cable hardware and systems at subscribers' premises. Service technicians may also inspect, test and repair cable television signals and associated equipment during service calls.

Cable television maintenance technicians maintain and repair main aerial and underground cable television transmission lines and trunking. They also maintain and repair power supplies, amplifiers, and other distribution and interconnecting systems. Technicians in this field are also responsible for inspecting, monitoring, testing and adjusting cable transmission and distribution systems and for repairing or replacing faulty cables, power supplies, amplifiers and other associated transmission and distribution equipment.

Cable television maintenance is often dangerous, and technicians must often climb and work aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures. An essential part of a technicians work is communicating with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.

Cable television service and maintenance technicians are employed by cable television companies.

Example Titles

Power system electricians:

• power electrician
• apprentice power system electrician
• power station electrician
• power system electrician

Electrical power line and cable workers:

• power lineman/woman
• cable installer, electrical power
• apprentice lineman/woman, electrical power line
• cable splicer, electrical power
• construction lineman/woman, electrical power line
• power line patroller

Telecommunications line and cable workers:

• telecommunications line installer
• telephone line technician
• communication technician, construction
• construction technician, CATV
• splicer technician, telephone
• apprentice lineman/woman, telecommunications
• cable repairer, telecommunications
• lineman/woman, telecommunications

Telecommunications installation and repair workers:

• line and station installer, telephone
• cellular telephone technician
• telephone installer
• telecommunications equipment technician
• apprentice communication electrician, switching
• central office technician
• communication technician, telephone
• exchange tester
• mobile radio installer
• private branch exchange (PBX) installer
• switch network installer and repairer

Cable television service and maintenance technicians:

• installation technician, cable television
• cable television installer
• cablevision servicer
• apprentice community antenna television (CATV) technician
• CATV technician
• maintenance technician, cable television

Training Paths

Electrician is a designated trade in Saskatchewan. Individuals seeking employment in this trade must become certified as electrician is a compulsory trade in Saskatchewan. This involves a four-year apprenticeship under a certified tradesperson and completion of 33 weeks of in-class technical training. Training is delivered at SIAST, Applicants to the Electrician apprenticeship program must be currently working in the trade and have completed grade 11 with a Science 20 and Mathematics 20; Saskatchewan grade 11 with algebra, geo-trig and physics; or equivalent approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. SIAST also offers a pre-employment program in this trade. Industrial electrician training is available out of the province.

Power Lineperson is a designated trade in Saskatchewan. Individuals wishing to become certified in this trade must apprentice for four years under a certified tradesperson and complete online technical training, as well as 10-12 days of classroom instruction, depending on each apprenticeship level. Technical training is delivered at the SaskPower training facility in Weyburn. Applicants to the Power Lineperson apprenticeship program must be working in the trade and have completed grade 11 with a Science 20 and Math 20 (CORE), or Saskatchewan grade 11 with algebra, geo-trig and physics o equivalent approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Power System Electrician and Telecommunications Line and Cable Worker are not designated trades in Saskatchewan. Apprenticeship programs for these trades are available out of province. Persons interested in training related to these fields of work can enrol in SIAST's Power Engineering Technology or Technician programs. SIAST also offers various pre-employment and certificate programs in Computer Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: good

This is a huge occupational group in Saskatchewan. According to Statistics Canada, there were more 5,000 Saskatchewan residents working in electrical trades and telecommunication occupations in 2005. Whether or not employment grows over the next few years, numerous opportunities are expected annually due to attrition--that is, retirement or other turnover in the provincial work force. In 2006, 43% of all workers in these occupations were at least 45 years of age. As many of these older workers retire, qualified younger workers will be needed to fill their positions, particularly in the construction and information, culture and recreation industries.

Workers in electrical trades and telecommunications occupations are typically well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income for these workers was $53,300 per year, well above the provincial full-time average for all occupations the same year ($42,300 per year). There is a wide range of incomes among workers in this group. Power Systems electricians, on average the highest paid workers in this occupational group, earned as much as $93,400 and as little as $25,000 in 2005. Annual incomes for cable television service and maintenance technicians--the lowest paid in this group--ranged from $16,400 to $43,500 that same year. Electrical trade and telecommunications workers in Regina and Saskatoon tend to earn more than their counterparts elsewhere in the province.

In 2006, men made up 96% of the Saskatchewan work force in his group. This same year, employment was distributed evenly throughout Saskatchewan; roughly 50% of all electrical trade and telecommunications workers in the province were employed in Regina or Saskatoon in 2006. Sixty-six percent of all Saskatchewan workers in this group were employed on a full-time basis in 2005. While not unheard of, self-employment is rare among workers in this group. Employment in this occupational group is not seasonal but can be highly sensitive to overall economic conditions.

The telecommunications industry is often fiercely competitive and can be subject to sudden changes in technology. The growing trend in many offices, businesses and departments is to out source telecommunications installation.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

Power system electricians:

• Electrical Mechanics (7333)
• Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) (7241)
• Industrial Electricians (7242)
• Supervisors of power system electricians (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and
• Telecommunications Occupations)

Electrical power line and cable workers:

• Power System Electricians (7243)
• Other linemen/women and cable installers (in 7245 Telecommunications Line and Cable Workers)
• Supervisors of electrical power line and cable workers (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades
• and Telecommunications Occupations)

Telecommunications line and cable workers:

• Cable Television Service and Maintenance Technicians (7247)
• Telecommunication Installation and Repair Workers (7246)
• Supervisors of telecommunications line and cable workers (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical
• Trades and Telecommunications Occupations)

Telecommunications installation and repair workers:

• Telecommunications Line and Cable Workers (7245)
• Supervisors of telecommunication installation and repair workers (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors,
• Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations)

Cable television service and maintenance technicians:

• Supervisors of cable television service and maintenance technicians (in 7212 Contractors and Supervisors,
• Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations)
• Workers who install aerial or underground cable television lines (in 7245 Telecommunications Line and Cable
• Workers)