Sector
Hydro and power line projects: status, trades and pay
Updated September 26, 2026
Phase 1 of the North Coast Transmission Line is being built now. The Taltson Hydro Expansion in the Northwest Territories and the Iqaluit hydro project in Nunavut are at an early stage.
Phase 1 construction is underway, according to B.C. The North Coast Transmission Line is a new power line in northwest B.C. B.C. expects about 1,400 workers at peak construction across Phase 1 and Phase 2. For job postings, check the careers pages of the companies named on this page.
Does Werko track job postings for these projects?
Werko does not track job postings for hydro and transmission projects in Canada yet.
Where each project stands
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| North Coast Transmission Line, in northwestern British Columbia.[7] | Phase 1 construction is underway, according to B.C. The North Coast Transmission Line is a new power line in northwest B.C.[1][2][3] |
| Taltson Hydro Expansion, in the Great Slave Lake region, Northwest Territories.[7] | Referred to the Major Projects Office on March 12, 2026. The Major Projects Office and the Government of the Northwest Territories are assessing the project’s financial and business case[5] |
| Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project, in Iqaluit, Nunavut.[7] | Referred to the Major Projects Office on November 13, 2025. The Major Projects Office is supporting project development and data collection[6] |
Typical hydro and power line trades
| Trade | Typical work for this project type | Ticket rule in B.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Powerline Technician | New transmission lines connect the station to the grid. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[8] |
| Industrial Electrician | Generators, switchyards, and station controls need industrial electricians. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[8] |
| Construction Electrician | Installs station wiring, cables, and construction power. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[8] |
| Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | Turbines, generators, and gates need precise millwright installation. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Welder | Penstocks, gates, and embedded steel need heavy welding. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Boilermaker | Installs steel penstocks and turbine scroll casings. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Ironworker (Reinforcing) | Dams and powerhouses use heavy reinforced concrete. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Concrete Finisher | Mass concrete and structural slabs need placement and finishing. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Carpenter | Powerhouses, spillways, and intakes need large concrete formwork. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Mobile Crane Operator | Lifts turbine, generator, and construction components. | Skilled Trades Certification requirements take effect July 5, 2027[8] |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) | Excavators dig and load rock and soil for dams, spillways, and diversions. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) | Places embankment fill and builds access roads. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
These trades are typical for hydro plant and power line builds. They are not jobs posted by any one project.
Pay for two trades in B.C.
Hourly · British Columbia · Data from 2023 to 2024 · Dated November 19, 2025
Tickets you need in B.C.
To work in one of B.C.’s seven compulsory trades, you need one of these:
A journeyperson certificate.
A Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker designation from SkilledTradesBC.
A registered apprenticeship, working under a certified journeyperson or a designated Uncertified Experienced Worker.
Your certificate must cover the compulsory trade you will work in. A Certificate of Qualification from another province or territory counts, and so does an Interprovincial Red Seal. You are exempt while in a SkilledTradesBC-recognized training program that includes work experience.
Sources8
Workers and camps
B.C. expects about 1,400 workers at peak construction on the North Coast Transmission Line. The Phase 1 camp will be at the former Canfor site near Engen. It will house up to 350 workers from 2027 to 2031.
How long the work runs
B.C. expects Phase 1 of the North Coast Transmission Line to be complete by mid-2030. The full line would run from Prince George to Terrace, and north to Bob Quinn substation. Phase 2 construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be complete by winter 2032. The Major Projects Office says the aim is for Taltson to begin producing power within 10 years.
What the northern projects would build
The Taltson project would add a 60-megawatt hydro facility. It would also build a 320-kilometre transmission line, with an underwater section, to join the North and South Slave Lake grids for the first time. The Iqaluit project is a proposed 15- to 30-megawatt hydropower plant about 60 km northeast of Iqaluit.
Who runs each project
BC Hydro is behind the North Coast Transmission Line. The Government of the Northwest Territories is behind the Taltson Hydro Expansion. The NWT Métis Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations and Salt River First Nation are advancing the Taltson project collaboratively. The Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation, a wholly Inuit-owned developer, leads the Iqaluit project.
Sources
- North Coast Transmission Line breaking ground to power economic growth
Government of British Columbia, BC Gov News. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- North Coast Transmission Line Phase 1: Prince George to Glenannan Transmission
BC Hydro. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- North Coast Transmission Line
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Virtual Open House, North Coast Transmission Line: Phase 1
BC Hydro. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Taltson Hydro Expansion
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Projects referred to the MPO
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- The 7 Compulsory Trades
SkilledTradesBC. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Wages: Powerline Technician in British Columbia
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Wages Construction Electrician in British Columbia
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- North Coast Transmission Line
BC Energy Regulator. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Canada breaks ground on North Coast Transmission Line to deliver clean power and reduce emissions
Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2026