April 24, 2023 – In the third quarter of 2022 (July to September), there were 5275 job vacancies for electricians (except industrial and power systems) in Canada, up by over 1/2 (+51.6%)—or by 1995 positions—compared with the same quarter in 2021.

Statistics Canada reports nearly all (97.7%) of the vacancies in Q3 2022 were for full-time positions, a proportion virtually unchanged from the same quarter in 2021 (98.1%). In the same vein, over 9 in 10 (92.7%) vacant positions were for permanent jobs in Q3 2022, a proportion little changed from the same quarter in 2021 (89.7%).

The average offered hourly wage was $32.35 for positions requiring a certificate or diploma in Q3 2022, compared with $20.20 for those that did not require a minimum level of education.

As an indication of increasing labour shortage in Q3 2022, over 1/4 (27.2%) of positions were vacant for 120 days or more, up from 11.3% in Q3 2021. Over the same period, the proportion of vacancies that lasted less than 15 days was down to 18.9% (from 32.5%) in Q3 2022.

Fewer electrical companies

Across Canada in June 2022, there were 27,098 business locations in the electrical contractor and other wiring installation contractor industry, down slightly from 27,197 in June 2021.

This industry is primarily engaged in installing or servicing electrical wiring and equipment. Contractors in this industry may include both the parts and labour when performing work, and they also may perform new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs.

Over half (56.1%) of these businesses reported staff numbers in June 2022. Nearly three-fifths (58.1%) had one to four employees, while another 20.9% had five to nine employees on staff.

A boost in apprenticeships

The apprenticeship system in Canada was greatly impacted by the onset of the pandemic. While many restrictions persisted throughout 2021, tight labour market conditions in the skilled trades helped the apprenticeship system regain losses experienced in the depths of the pandemic.

In 2021, new registrations in apprenticeship programs (+31.1%) and certifications in the trades (+33.7%) saw significant increases from the year before. However, these figures remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Over 2/3 (70.4%) of apprenticeship certificates held by Canadians in 2021 were in the key fields of construction trades (e.g. carpenters, electricians, plumbers), mechanic and repair technologies, and precision production.

From 2020 to 2021, there was a 37.0% rise in new apprenticeship registrations for electricians—the sixth-highest rise among all trade groups, ahead of sheet metal workers (+34.6%) and heavy equipment and crane operators (+32.2%), but behind plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (+39.0%).

There was also a 43.2% year-over-year increase to 8109 new certifications in 2021 for electricians. Spurred on by growth in the construction industry and high demand for housing, Quebec (+1026 certifications or +133.6%) and Ontario (+765 or +34.3%) led this charge.

Quebec, in particular, granted its highest number of certifications to electricians on record.