Electrical Construction & Maintenance

Overview

careers

  • Apprentice Electrician

  • Residential Electrician

  • Industrial Electrician

  • Estimator

Job Placement Rate ⓘ
0 %
Average Salary ⓘ
$ 0

The Electrical Construction and Maintenance program at Mitchell Technical College is 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, a Mitchell Tech graduate receives 2,000 hours towards certification as a journeyman with a South Dakota electrician’s license.

Graduates will 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 a Mitchell Tech ECM instructor for more information.

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Curriculum

Award: AAS Degree

Semesters
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First Semester
ECM101 > Electrical Fundamentals4 credits
ECM121 > Electrical Drawing4 credits
ECM151 > Basic Electrical Lab5 credits
OSHA101 > OSHA 10 Training1 credit
SSS100 > Student Success1 credit
> Math Elective3 credits
> General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours21 credits
Second Semester
ECM103 > Designing Electrical Systems3 credits
ECM122 > Residential Blueprint Code3 credits
ECM149 > Basic Conduit Bending2 credits
ECM157 > Wiring Lab4 credits
CIS105 > Introduction to Computers3 credits
> General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours18 credits
Third Semester
ECM211 > Power Distribution1.5 credits
ECM231 > Electronic Circuits2 credits
ECM251 > Commercial/Industrial Wiring Lab4 credits
ECM252 > Industrial Controls3 credits
ECM255 > Control Lab I1.5 credits
ECM259 > Programmable Logic Controls3 credits
> Written Communications Elective 3 credits
Total Semester Hours18 credits
Fourth Semester
ECM202 > Motor Theory Maintenance2 credits
ECM221 > Commercial Blueprint Reading2.5 credits
ECM235 > Structured Cabling4 credits
ECM244 > VFD Motor Drives1 credit
ECM253 > Advanced Control Systems2.5 credits
ECM257 > Advanced Control Lab II2 credits
ECM261 > Advanced Programmable Logic Contr3.5 credits
CPR100 > First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits
Total Semester Hours18 credits

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 a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,100 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 a 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

At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
  • 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

Program Director / Instructor

Cost

Program Tuition & Fees ⓘ
$ 4000

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software$1,150
Books / Tools (estimated)$1,873

Scholarships

$1000

1 AVAIL.

Learn Your Trade Scholarship

Asmus Family

Must be enrolled in fulltime in Progressive Welding Technology, ADBC, or Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
Must complete the MTC online scholarship application
Must be enrolled in fulltime in Progressive Welding Technology, ADBC, or Electrical Construction & Maintenance Must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher Must complete the MTC online scholarship application

$500

1 AVAIL.

Rod Bowar Memorial Scholarship

Kennebec Telephone Company

Rod owned Kennebec Telephone Company, providers of telephone, cable TV and internet service to Kennebec, Presho and rural Lyman County. He joined the company in 1977 and purchased it in 1998. Rod was passionate about providing the best opportunities possible for his family and community. He served on many different boards and committees, including serving on the Mitchell Technical College Foundation Board. Two of Rod’s children were Mitchell Tech grads, and his businesses employ multiple Mitchell Tech graduates.
2.5 GPA or greater Programs eligible: WIFI/Broadband Technology, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, any Business related program

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

Powerline Construction & Maintenance
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area and enrolled in the Powerline Construction & Maintenance program

$500

2 AVAIL.

Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Central Electric Cooperative

Electrical Utilities & Substation
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Applicant must be a full-time student in the Electrical Utilities & Substation, Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Heating & Cooling, Agricultural Business or Agronomy program at Mitchell Technical College Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA Student must be a member or dependent of a member of Central Electric Cooperative based in Mitchell, SD Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Student must provide member name on account and Central Electric will verify membership status before recipient is announced

$1000

7 AVAIL.

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy

The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to Power Line and Electrical Utilities and Substation recipients on their second semester account, and for Automation Controls/SCADA and Natural Gas Technology recipients accounts the following Fall semester.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants must be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Power Line Electrical Utilities and Substation Automation Controls/SCADA Natural Gas Technology Wind Turbine Technology Applicant must complete the MTC Current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship.

$1000

1 AVAIL.

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 2013.
Accounting
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
Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled at MTC in one of the programs mentioned Applicant must complete the MTC scholarship application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship First priority will be given to students with ties to a SDAC member cooperative Essay responses will be a large part of the recipient decision

Contact Admissions

For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:

Admissions Office
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301

800.684.1969
605.995.3025
fax: 605.995.3067
[email protected]

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