Construction Electrician

The Anoka Technical College Construction Electrician diploma is a 72-credit program. Curriculum is designed to develop skills in the installation and testing of electrical fixtures and wiring. Students study:

Blueprint reading
Wiring code
Electrical theory
Wiring laboratory

Many graduates of this program join unions to complete their apprenticeship training.

Endorsements

The Construction Electrician Program is approved by the State Board of Electricity, the Twin Cities Joint Apprenticeship Committee, and many unions in the upper Midwest, including: Local 110 (St. Paul), Local 292 (Minneapolis), Local 343 (Mankato), Local 242 (Duluth), Local 294 (Bemidji, Iron Range), Local 1426 (Fargo, East Grand Forks, Grand Forks), and Local 426 (Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Colorado, and Kansas).

Prerequisites

Although no prior knowledge or experience is necessary to succeed in this program, prospective Construction Electrician students should have a high school diploma or GED. Helpful high school courses include electronics, drafting, carpentry, and algebra/ trigonometry.

Physical exertion is often required and electrical construction may be performed outdoors or under such conditions as heights, unfinished construction or high voltages.

Some courses may require an Accuplacer/ACT score or completion of basic math, basic English, and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.

Credits

TOTAL CREDITS		72
Technical Education Requirements		60
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
ELEC 1001	Electrical Theory I	5
ELEC 1020	Residential Wiring Lab I	4
ELEC 1030	National Electrical Code I	2
ELEC 1061	Electrical Theory II	5
ELEC 1080	Residential Wiring Lab II	4
ELEC 1090	National Electrical Code II	3
ELEC 1101	Power Limited	2
ELEC 1107	PLC’s and Electronics for Electricians	6
ELEC 1110	Lighting	2
ELEC 1121	Electrical Heating & Air Conditioning	2
ELEC 1130	Plan Reading	2
ELEC 1140	Safety Principles/OSHA I	1
ELEC 1141	Safety/OSHA II	2
ELEC 2010	Commercial Wiring Lab I	3
ELEC 2020	Motors and Controls I	2
ELEC 2030	National Electrical Code III	3
ELEC 2040	Three-Phase Electrical Theory	4
ELEC 2060	Commercial Wiring Lab II	3
ELEC 2071	Motors and Controls II	3
ELEC 2080	National Electrical Code IV	2

General Education/MnTC Requirements		12
Twelve (12) general education credits of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) are required. Student is required to take:
ENGL 1105	Composition I	4
MATH 1400	Algebra and Trigonometry	5
SPCH 1200	Interpersonal Communications	3

Program Sequence

FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
Course Number	Course Tile	Credits
ELEC 1001	Electrical Theory I	5
ELEC 1020	Residential Wiring Lab I	4
ELEC 1030	National Code	2
ELEC 1140	Safety Principles/OSHA I	1
MATH 1400	Algebra and Trigonometry	5
TOTAL		17

Spring Semester
ELEC 1061	Electrical Theory II	5
ELEC 1080	Residential Wiring Lab II	4
ELEC 1090	National Electrical Code II	3
ELEC 1141	Safety/OSHA II	2
TOTAL		14

Summer Semester
ELEC 1101	Power Limited	2
ELEC 1110	Lighting	2
ELEC 1121	Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning	2
ELEC 1130	Plan Reading	2
TOTAL		8

SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
ELEC 2010	Commercial Wiring Lab I	4
ELEC 2020	Motors and Controls I	1
ELEC 2030	National Electrical Code III	4
ELEC 2040	Three-Phase Electrical Theory	2
ENGL 1105	Composition I	4
TOTAL		14

Spring Semester
ELEC 2060	Commercial Wiring Lab II	3
ELEC 2071	Motors and Controls II	3
ELEC 2080	National Electrical Code IV	2
ELEC 1107	PLC's and Electronics for Electricians	6
SPCH 1200	Interpersonal Communications	3
TOTAL		17
Although the general education courses are listed in the sequence above, these courses may be taken in any semester and in any order.

Graduation Requirements

All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), diploma, or certification must meet the Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. Please contact your advisor for any further program graduation requirements.

NOTE: Program plans are subject to change. Please contact your program advisor for the most current program information.

Transfer Opportunities

To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College program or into another college, visit:

Industry Information

Construction electricians work with electrical materials on construction and remodeling jobs.

More specifically, construction electricians plan, assemble, install, and test electrical fixtures, apparatus, and wiring that is used in both new and existing buildings.

Construction electricians must have a complete knowledge of electrical codes, theory, and materials in order to correctly install and troubleshoot all types of electrical equipment and controls as required for each type of building.

Wage/Outlook/Advancement

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Experienced electricians who work for large companies have several options for advancement. Those who have good people skills may become supervisors. Those who have good organizational skills may become managers.

Construction electricians may transfer to electrical jobs in the shipbuilding, automobile, or aircraft industries. Some electricians start their own businesses. Those who earn a master electrician's license may become contractors.