Overview
careers
Apprentice Electrician
Residential Electrician
Industrial Electrician
Estimator
The Electrical Construction and Maintenance program at Mitchell Technical College is a sequence of courses designed to provide basic training in maintenance and new construction wiring—in both residential and commercial buildings. The program emphasizes a combination of theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Additional coursework includes fiber optic and data cabling as well as programmable logic controls.
The program begins with a review of basic math as it relates to the electrical trade and an introduction to hand tools, materials, basic electrical resistive theory, wire sizing, circuit construction and troubleshooting. The program continues with basic through advanced motor controls, motor theory and maintenance, installation and maintenance of equipment, blueprint reading, estimating, electrical codes and instruction in job-seeking skills.
The successful student in this program will demonstrate a variety of skills and abilities including manual dexterity, arm-hand steadiness and multi-limb coordination; visual color discrimination and near vision; reasoning, information ordering and problem-solving; and communication with supervisors, peers and subordinates. In addition, students must be able to perform general physical activities like climbing, lifting, walking, stooping and handling materials and must be able to climb a 6-foot ladder.
Apprentice electrical jobs in residential, commercial and industrial areas are open to Mitchell Tech graduates. Positions are available with electrical contractors and maintenance companies and with regional substations and utility companies. Incoming students are licensed as apprentice electricians in South Dakota. Upon completion of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program, an Mitchell Tech graduate receives 2000 hours towards certification as a journeyman with a South Dakota electrician’s license.
NEW PROGRAM OFFERING!
Graduates will now receive one year’s experience credit allowance for a Class A journeyman electrician, power limited technician, or maintenance electrician license in the state of Minnesota, or apprentice credit by the state of Iowa. Talk with an Mitchell Tech ECM instructor for more information.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Requirements
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for an Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,000 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into an Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
LICENSURE DISCLOSURE
Most states require electricians to be licensed through a combination of hours of experience, exams, and training. Incoming Mitchell Tech students are licensed as apprentice electricians in South Dakota. Upon completion of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program, a Mitchell Tech graduate receives 2,000 hours towards their journeyman license in South Dakota. Mitchell Tech strongly encourages prospective students to verify that Mitchell Tech’s coursework will meet the educational or training requirements, if any, for licensure in the state they plan to work.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in Alaska, California.
Mitchell Technical College has made no determination that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
You may also contact Director of Admissions Heather Kulm (605.995.7342) for questions regarding licensure.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate competence in practicing safety always and recognizing and correcting potential hazards.
- Demonstrate competence in work attitude and attendance.
- Understand the behavior and principles that govern AC and DC electrical circuits.
- Demonstrate entry-level skills for accuracy in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations and maintenance services.
- Use the National Electrical Code to legally and safely install electrical installations with supervision.
- Install and troubleshoot basic motors and control systems.
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2023-24 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Faculty
Instructor
Instructor
Program Director / Instructor
Instructor
Cost
Other Required Costs
| Laptop/Software | $1,150 |
| Books / Tools (estimated) | $2,417 |
Scholarships
$500
1 AVAIL.
Rod Bowar Memorial Scholarship
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
$500
2 AVAIL.
Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship
Central Electric Cooperative
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
$1000
7 AVAIL.
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
1 AVAIL.
South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
