Construction Electrician

The Anoka Technical College Construction Electrician diploma is an 82-credit program designed to develop skills in the installation and testing of electrical fixtures. Students will study wiring, including blueprint reading, wiring code, electrical theory and 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 and Iron Range), Local 1426 (Fargo, East Grand Forks and 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 appropriate test score or completion of basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.

Program Learning Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes, which all outcomes are determined at at first year apprentice level.

Work safely amongst others.
Troubleshoot electrical circuits using proper technique.
Design and install single family dwelling circuits to NEC standards.
Design and install commercial and industry circuits to NEC standards.
Design and install control circuits to NEC standards.
Effectively follow verbal and written instructions.
Identify code articles that pertain to the project.

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 1107	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/MnTC courses are listed in the sequence above, these courses may be taken in any semester and in any order.

New 82 Credit Program Sequence

FIRST YEAR
Fall Semester
Course Number	Course Tile	Credits
ELEC 1002	Electrical Theory I	6
ELEC 1021	Residential Wiring Lab I	5
ELEC 1031	National Code	3
MATH 1400	Algebra and Trigonometry	5
TOTAL		19

Spring Semester
ELEC 1062	Electrical Theory II	6
ELEC 1081	Residential Wiring Lab II	6
ELEC 1091	National Electrical Code II	4
ELEC 1121	Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning	3
TOTAL		19

Summer Semester
ELEC 1101	Power Limited	2
ELEC 1110	Lighting	2
ELEC 1130	Plan Reading	2
ELEC 1142	Safety Principles/OSHA	2
TOTAL		8

SECOND YEAR
Fall Semester
ELEC 2011	Commercial Wiring Lab I	5
ELEC 2021	Motors and Controls I	2
ELEC 2031	National Electrical Code III	3
ELEC 2041	Three-Phase Electrical Theory	5
ENGL 1107	Composition I	4
TOTAL		19

Spring Semester
ELEC 1108	PLC's for Electricians	3
ELEC 2061	Commercial Wiring Lab II	5
ELEC 2072	Motors and Controls II	3
ELEC 2081	National Electrical Code IV	3
SPCH 1200	Interpersonal Communications	3
TOTAL		17
Although the general education/MnTC 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.

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.