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Electrical Maintenance and Automation

If you are good with your hands, like to solve problems and have a knack for understanding how things work, consider a career as a construction, utility, or maintenance electrician.

As our world’s electrical systems become more sophisticated, so must the skills of electricians. In this program, you’ll learn to maintain, test, repair and/or replace complex electrical systems and controls found in modern industrial plants and large commercial buildings. The program includes hands-on training in motors, generators, robotics, power distribution and other electrical systems.

Whether you are new to the field, or you are an experienced electrician who wants to upgrade your skills, this program opens doors to a variety of challenging job opportunities. Graduates become construction electricians, utility electricians, and technicians in electrical maintenance, production and power systems.

Detailed Information

The Electrical Program prepares students for work in the Electrical Trades. Electricians install, troubleshoot and maintain electrical equipment for production facilities, hospitals, electrical utilities, schools, commercial and residential buildings - anywhere there is electricity.

Electricians are taught both mechanical and electrical skills and are “high tech mechanics”. This program takes students from learning about electrons to wiring and programming automation equipment and everything in between.

Topics covered

Electrical Theory
Electrical Safety and tools for the trade
Generators and Motors
AC and DC Motor Controls
Construction Materials
Conduit Bending
National Electric Code
Programmable Logic Controllers
Electronic Motor Controls - Variable Frequency Drives

Electrical Trainee

  1. Understand the inherent dangers of and be able to work safely around electricity.
  2. Be familiar with electrical theory, electrical terms, and electrical circuits (AC & DC).
  3. Able to identify common electrical materials, parts, and components.
  4. Understand the theory, operation, and maintenance of AC & DC generators and motors.
  5. Know basic electronic theory and components.
  6. Be familiar with conventional motor control circuit fundamentals.
  7. Able to perform electrical conduit bending using trigonometric calculations.
Sales Option
  1. Understand the inherent dangers of and be able to work safely around electricity.
  2. Be familiar with electrical theory, electrical terms, and electrical circuits (AC & DC).
  3. Able to identify common electrical materials, parts, and components.
  4. Able to perform electrical conduit bending using trigonometric calculations.
  5. Demonstrated ability to work in the electrical sales industry through documented work experience approved by the cooperative education supervisor.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

The Electrical Trainee Certificate program has been designed to meet a large variety of student and electrical industry needs. The student will be required to take six of the Electrical Maintenance Technician (ELMT) core classes along with vocational-related courses. In addition to the core classes, the student may select the electrical sales option with the cooperative education work experience component or choose four additional courses from the ELMT list.

This selection will be made with the aid of professional/technical counselors, faculty or industry advisors to best meet the needs of the individual student. Students who complete the certificate requirements will be ready to seek employment as sales associates in the electrical industry or as electrical trainees and can continue to develop their electrical skills through on-the-job work experience. Students may enter the program whenever the courses are offered. It should be noted that some courses do have prerequisites. ELMT courses may be taken in any sequence providing the student has fulfilled any prerequisites or has instructor permission.

Program Map for

Print/Download

Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 59 - 63


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   1
4
ELMT 111
Electrical Math  
5
ELMT 112
Electrical Theory  
5
ELMT 114
Materials and Fasteners  
4
 
ELMT Course Elective(s)   2
4
Total Credits
 
22

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ELMT 122
DC Circuits  
5
ELMT 123
AC Theory  
5
ELMT 262
Raceways  
4
 
ELMT Course Elective(s)   2
4
Total Credits
 
18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
 
ELMT Course Elective(s)   3
16 - 20
Total Credits
 
19-23

ELMT Course Elective(s)  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 Choose one additional ELMT course.
3 Choose four additional ELMT courses.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 5,436
$ 6,228
$ 11,806
Books
$ 463
$ 463
$ 463
Course Fees
$ 147
$ 147
$ 147
Institutional Fees
$ 336
$ 336
$ 1,597
Total Costs
$ 6,382
$ 7,175
$ 14,014

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Kim Rose

Pathway Specialist
Kim.Rose@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8824

 

Alaynah Hardesty

Workforce Transition Specialist
Alaynah.Hardesty@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7398

 

Bill Rambo

Academic Counseling Liaison
Bill.Rambo@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7038

 

Ashley Purdin

Division Dean
Ashley.Purdin@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7065

 

Brandon Livingston

Associate Division Dean
Brandon.Livingston@scc.spokane.edu
509-992-7023

 

Alan Goltz

Department Chair
Alan.Goltz@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7458