Electrician

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Overview

Choose this program to prepare for an exciting career as an electrician. Students become registered “electrician trainees” with the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries and are awarded work experience hours upon completion. Occupational choices are extensive in the field; many graduates work in the construction industry, while others work in manufacturing or maintenance.

In BTC’s Electrician program, you’ll learn how to install, maintain, and repair residential, commercial, industrial, and renewable electrical systems. You will also learn how to read blueprints and schematics, bend and install conduits, program VFDs and PLCs, and troubleshoot circuits.

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS or AAS-T degree, students will be able to:

• Ensure safe work practices and installations through compliance with national, state and local regulations and industry standards including the National Electrical Code and WAC/RCW.
• Design, analyze, and diagnose basic electrical systems through the application of electrical theory fundamentals.
• Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant service and branch circuits found in a typical residential setting.
• Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant branch and lighting circuits found in a typical commercial setting.
• Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant branch, signal, and control circuits found in a typical industrial setting.
• Summarize the financial and regulatory scope of the electrical industry including government fees, jobsite overhead, business operating expenses, time management, and cost of materials.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with team members, supervisors, and others in the workplace, using trade terminology, drawings, blueprints, and other documents.
• Demonstrate professional conduct conducive to the work environment including punctuality, safety, reliability, and customer service.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment, repair, or updating, and to ensure compliance with codes.

After successfully completing the Electrical Construction certificate, students will be able to:

• Ensure safe work practices and installations through compliance with national, state and local regulations and industry standards including the National Electrical Code and WAC/RCW.
• Design, analyze, and diagnose basic electrical systems through the application of electrical theory fundamentals.
• Utilize proper tools, materials, and test equipment to construct a variety of code compliant service and branch circuits found in a typical residential setting.
• Summarize the financial and regulatory scope of the electrical industry including government fees, jobsite overhead, business operating expenses, time management, and cost of materials.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with team members, supervisors, and others in the workplace, using trade terminology, drawings, blueprints, and other documents.
• Demonstrate professional conduct conducive to the work environment including punctuality, safety, reliability, and customer service.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment, repair, or updating, and to ensure compliance with codes.

Placement Requirements

Admissions application and assessment in Reading, Math, and Writing is required. Your placement will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

Additional Requirements

Graduates can be credited with up to 1,472 supervised work experience hours per RCW 19.28.191 and WAC 296-46b-940. In order to receive the approved experience hours students must have an electrical trainee card from L&I prior to enrolling in the program.

Physical Requirements

Electricians deal with color coded wires on a daily basis, making it vital for all electricians to be able to see color.

Degree and Certificate Requirements

The Electrician AAS degree and Electrical Construction certificate completions require a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher with a minimum of D/1.0 in program courses. General Education courses require a minimum grade of D/1.0. The Electrician AAS-T degree completion requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a minimum grade of C/2.0 for all General Education courses.

Programs

• Electrician, AAS

• Electrician, AAS-T

• Electrical Construction Certificate

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