Current Program

The Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology program provides students with an opportunity to master skills required for success in the electrical trade. 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 control, motor theory and maintenance, installation and maintenance of equipment, blueprint reading, estimating, electrical codes, and instruction in job seeking skills. Students enroll in the program to obtain a degree or certificate, for personal enrichment, for retraining or upgrading job skills, and to enter a high-paying career field. Several factors have affected the program in recent years, including changes in population, economic conditions, college budget conditions, and technology. Also affecting course offerings have been factors such as the addition of weekend classes, facility needs, the increasing use of technology in the classroom and in the workplace, and requests from employers and directions from program advisors.

Degrees and Certificates - The college offers an Associate in Science degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, a Certificate of Completion in Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, and Skills

Certificates in Motor Control, Programmable Logic Controllers and National Electric Code.

Personnel - At this time the program employs eight full-time faculty, 30 part-time faculty, one full-time classified employee shared among all Construction Technology programs, one part-time classified employee and one student employee shared among all Construction Technology programs.

Teaching Methodologies - Teaching methods used in the department include lab, lecture, lecture/lab, lecture/demonstration, large lecture/study groups, service based learning, self-paced instruction, computerized instruction, and some instruction based on Internet access. Students also wire houses for the Habitat for Humanity program.

Technology - No online courses are offered at present. There is no access to the mainframe from the department at this time.

Equipment - A telephone and emergency lighting are needed in Room C201. More phone lines are needed.

Facilities - Instructors share office space at this time.

Future Program

The program will need to change to meeting changes in the following areas in the next few years: curriculum development, technology, teaching methods, student academic preparation, student recruitment strategies, facilities, and changes in state law regarding the licensing of electrical workers. Enrollment in Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology classes in both the mid term (five years) and the long term (ten years) should increase at a faster rate than the overall college enrollment because the electrical trade is becoming even more technical and more workers will need more training. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No additional degrees or certificates are planned; however, updated courses are planned in areas such as programmable logic controllers, computer managed maintenance software, bidding and estimating programs, fire alarms, cabling, fiber optic terminations and conduit bending.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - In many cases, traditional methods could be augmented with PowerPoint presentations, online work and online knowledge verification.

Technology - Parts of lecture classes could be offered through an alternative technology, such as online or interactive video, but lab courses will likely continue to be held on campus because of the hands-on nature of the material.

Equipment - All instructors need a computer with Internet access. Additional phone lines are needed. Within five years, the following equipment will need to be replaced: electric/hydraulic and mechanical benders, variable frequency drives, all computers and solid state starters. Several new pieces of equipment are needed as well, including threaders, fluke meters, drill motors, hand tools and cable meters.

Facilities - All spaces need new paint and restrooms need major renovations. As enrollment grows, additional space will be needed, including six new classrooms with accompanying chairs and tables and five new labs including a rotating motor lab, a conduit bending lab, a second semester lab and two new generalized or beginning labs. A large lecture room for more than 100 students, one office that will hold 20 instructors, an additional computer room, a lab for security wiring, and a lab for phone cabling are needed. Fume hoods are needed in labs to remove lead vapors during soldering.

Staff Development - Training in new industry software and hardware is needed. Educational methods classes training also should be offered to faculty.

Special Recommendation

The department should explore new methods of instructional delivery to provide more opportunities for students to access the program, including offering more convenient class times and moving to larger lecture classes with smaller labs.