Apprentice Meter Technician

Learn to install, repair, and test electric meters and associated equipment

As a Meter Technician with BC Hydro, you install and repair electric meters across the province.

What you learn and experience

• How to install, calibrate, troubleshoot, test and repair electric meters and associated equipment ranging from basic residential meters to more complex industrial meters
• How to use proper safety procedures, how to use tools and materials, and how to operate equipment before moving on to more complex theory and the intricate wiring required for more sophisticated equipment
• How to work safely outdoors in a wide range of locations, in all weather conditions

Qualifications: what you bring

• High school graduation with English 12, Math 12 and Physics 12 or the equivalent. (Note: Physics 11 plus an Electrician Red Seal is an acceptable equivalent to Physics 12). Successful completion of related post-secondary courses in Electrical or Electronic Theory that will be considered an asset.
• You have a class 5 B.C. driver's license. A 7N is not acceptable for this position.
• You have normal colour vision.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and are able to deal with both internal and external customers.
• You have a mechanical aptitude, have strong computer literacy and good report writing skills.

Equivalence documentation and transcripts

To successfully claim an equivalent status, you must provide documentation that effectively demonstrates you've taken equivalent courses. You'll submit either a letter from your place of education or your instructor indicating the course(s), stating that the course(s) taken would be considered equivalent to or better than a grade 12 level.

Program details and future job prospects

The Apprentice Meter Technician program is open for applications once per year beginning in mid-September. The program commences in January.

As an Apprentice Meter Technician, your career in the electricity trade begins with 42 months of on the job technical training and a series of self-study training courses. All your training is done under the supervision of a qualified meter technician. You must also complete two evening courses relating to the electrical code and basic electronics.

After you graduate, you can apply for two types of meter technician jobs:

• Field work, where you work on your own most of the time, primarily on installation of revenue electric meters and associated equipment, troubleshooting and testing of metering installations. Other functions include credit work, theft investigation, specialized meter reading and installation of load survey equipment. Work in these jobs often involves the use of computers installed in outdoor vehicles. These jobs are often located in the south Interior or northern B.C. and will appeal to those who enjoy planning and scheduling their own work, and sometimes training other metering staff. These positions involve extensive travel and time away from home.
• Shop work, where you work in a shop environment, primarily on repair and calibration of revenue electric meters and associated equipment. Other functions include acceptance testing of new equipment.

Where you train and work

During your apprenticeship, you're trained in the Lower Mainland at our Electric Meter Shop. You'll also take part in practicums in the Lower Mainland, Prince George and Victoria.

Once you graduate, most meter technician jobs are located in the Lower Mainland and graduated apprentices generally obtain jobs there. There are also occasional positions on Vancouver Island, in the southern Interior and northern B.C. As a graduate, you must be willing to locate to any field headquarters that posts a bulletin for a Meter Technician.

Pay and benefits

As an apprentice, you earn 75% of the full journeyperson trade rate while you learn, with further increases during the apprenticeship.

You learn and work in a healthy and safe environment supported by a competitive benefit package that includes vacation (minimum of 3 weeks), overtime pay, designated day offs with pay, disability income, health and vision care, and dental benefits.

Application timelines

Job postings are typically found on our current opportunities page. Click here to see application timeline information. If no information is available yet, you can set up a job alert so that you will be notified as soon as the posting goes up.

Due to the very high number of applications recruiters receive, only those who are shortlisted will receive a phone call.