May 26, 2009 – Ralph Cerasuolo, a Master Electrician who has been managing his family’s electrical contracting business (Neutron Electrical of Vaughan, Ont.)—for 15 years has launched the Electrical College of Canada (ECC)—a school offering an Ontario Government-approved course curriculum that balances out electrical principles of the trade, including theory and hands-on installations and processes. The school houses an “in-house wiring lab” to help students become proficient in electrical applications.

The college offers construction and maintenance pre-apprenticeship programs and other general interest workshops. These courses and workshops teach the basic principles of electrical theory and will also show how to apply those principles in simulated work environments. The college will also offer workshops such as the Certificate of Qualification pre-exam course workshop designed by ECC to prepare candidates for the Certificate of Qualification exam administered by the Ministry of Training.

On June 17, the Electrical College of Canada will be hosting its first official Open House to anyone interested in pursuing a first or second career in the electrical field. The school is located at 91 Friuli Court, Woodbridge, Ont., L4L 7H2.

“In this current marketplace, there is a definite need to offer young adults and/or people changing careers, with a place to learn the fundamentals of electrical apprenticeship. As an electrician, I have been training new apprentices for many years, I can definitely recognize what characteristics make a good apprentice and what skills and knowledge that they need to be successful in this field,” said Cerasuolo. “I wish when I was entering the electrical field that I would have had the opportunity to have this knowledge and information provided to me in this manner.”

“The electrical apprenticeship program is perfect for individuals who want to go directly into the workforce but need marketable skills,” added Cerasuolo. “We will help guide all of our students on how to present themselves to approach potential companies for a new job placement. Our course material will provide each of our graduates with a strategic edge over other candidates who are applying for the same opportunity.”

A successful ECC graduate will obtain electrical theory knowledge, practical skills and a complete set of hand tools after completing the program giving each student a jump-start to the beginning of his or her electrical career.

“Upon completion of our electrical pre-apprentice course, our graduates will be able to write an exemption exam that will allow them to bypass the first level of electrical apprenticeship offered by the Ministry of Skills and Labour,” said Cerasuolo. “We have approximately 12 students per class so students will be able to get a very personalized approach to their electrical apprenticeship education. I believe our low student teacher ratio, the enhanced theory curriculum and the practical learning environment will be a fantastic opportunity for all of our ECC students.”

ECC’s courses are offered five days a week, for 12-weeks. Day and evening classes are available. All tools, books and safety certifications are included in the program. There is second career funding available for qualifying students. It is strongly recommended that ECC candidates have completed Grade 12 math or higher. For more information, and/or to obtain an ECC application, call (905) 264-1412, e-mail info@electricalcollege.ca, or CLICK HERE to visit the website.