PCC will offer Electrical Technology Fall 2011

Starting this fall Pratt Community College will be offering an Electrical Technology Program on campus through Coffeyville Community College.

The program will start in August of 2011 and will prepare individuals for a career in a variety of areas including residential, commercial, industrial wiring and plant maintenance.

When enrolling in the program students will have the option to receive an associate’s degree or certification in the program. No matter which option a student chooses they will be required to take part in a three month internship.

“It seems like with electrical people learn better with hands-on so we offer both hands-on and book work,” said Tom Kuhn, Electrical Technology Program Instructor said. “This helps them to retain the knowledge that they have learned and also lets them know if it is really what they want to go into.”

Once a student completes the program they will be an apprentice for four years, after which time they can take an exam to become a journeyman and after passing that test, they can take another at anytime to become a master.

When an individual starts the program at PCC they will be required to purchase some equipment, which they will need to complete the course and will need when they join the workforce. According to Jerry Burkhart, Dean of Technical Instruction, the equipment runs about $800 but most of it can be bought cheaper through vendors with a student discount.

When starting out in the field a person can make anywhere between $10 to $18 an hour.

“This job is in high demand right now and I see it continuing to grow,” Burkhart said.

New technologies are expected to continue to stimulate the demand for electricians. Increasingly buildings will be pre-wired during construction to accommodate the use of computers and telecommunications equipment.