Overview
careers
Journeyworker
Relay Technician
Substation Technician
Utility Technician
The goal of the Mitchell Technical College Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology* program is to provide students with an extensive hands-on experience that integrates the knowledge, skills and competencies that the electrical power utility industry needs to ensure that customers have access to power. Graduates will learn to install, inspect, test, repair and maintain electrical equipment in substations and other smart grid equipment on the power grid.
Substation technicians are individuals who work with electrical engineers to design, construct and maintain a substation, the facility which collects power at the generation site, connects to a transmission grid and downloads energy to a distribution network where the power is delivered to the consumer. Graduates will find employment working outdoors at a substation or performing maintenance on the grid system housed inside a utilities service facility.

Applicants to the program must be graduates of Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Wind Turbine Technology or Power Line Construction and Maintenance program; or have a diploma from an accredited postsecondary institute. All Electrical Utilities and Substation Technology students will be required to complete the Associate Degree general education requirements.
*Prerequisite program completion is required prior to enrollment.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Electives
Requirements
Students are expected to conform to Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing while enrolled in this program. See the Student Handbook for details.
Admissions Requirements: Applicants to the program must be a licensed Journeyworker lineman or a graduate of an accredited power line program.
Outcomes
- Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel in order to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning
- Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance
- Troubleshoot and repair air brake and disconnect switches
- Test insulators and bushings of equipment by inducing voltage across insulation, testing current and calculating insulation loss
- Install transformers with proper connections
- Install electrical meters with proper connections
- Communicate effectively through both oral and written means
- Demonstrate a professional attitude and work ethic
- Apply reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems and seek information
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2021-22 Annual Program Review for information on how this program assures that its students are attaining learning outcomes.
Faculty
Jerry Ehlke
Program Director / Instructor
Cost
Other Required Costs
CDL | $1,000 |
Books / Tools (estimated) | $1,419 |
Scholarships
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
$1000
1 AVAIL.
East River Electric Power Co-op Scholarship
East River Power Cooperative
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- Eligibility
- Criteria
$500
2 AVAIL.
Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship
Central Electric Cooperative
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- Eligibility
- Criteria
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
$1000
2 AVAIL.
South Dakota Wheat Commission
South Dakota Wheat Commission
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- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
$1000
1 AVAIL.
South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship
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- Eligibility
- Criteria
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
$1000
4 AVAIL.
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology