Electrical program sparks interest

When Jeff Andr/a started the new Electrical Program at Ellsworth Community College last fall he had to build it from the ground up, much like an electrical installation in a new home. It begins with nothing but after a lot of careful planning, proper equipment and effort, the lights come on.

Though the first class of students is small, with six students, the students don't mind at all. In fact, they have enjoyed the team atmosphere that has developed. During lab and on-site projects they work together finding solutions to problems, assisting each other by sharing knowledge, and confirming each other's growing skills.

One former Palmer High School student is taking advantage of the new program. Andy Andersen, son of Ted Andersen and Teresa Andersen of Palmer, Alaska, came to Ellsworth Community College after being recruited for wrestling. The electrical program was a natural choice for Andersen.

"There is a lot of new construction going on in Alaska," says Andersen. "There are subdivisions going up everywhere so there are lots of jobs in electrical and construction. The thing I like about this program is the hands-on training we get. All of our hours go toward our OJT (On the Job Training) so we'll have both a diploma and the training hours."

Andersen is currently wrestling at the school, as well as studying in the new electrical program there.

The students have spent a lot of time this semester working through units on how to read electrical blueprints, learning about conductors, wires and insulation, and electrical theory for both industrial and residential application. They expand upon their book knowledge with hands-on training on test boards, first, and then by installing the electrical for the ECC Building Trades 2003-2004 house project.

"The students have more knowledge than they realize," said ECC electrical instructor Jeff Andr/a. "The labs really tie to the work they do on the house. They have made me very proud with their professional conduct. The quality of their work has been catching a lot of contractors' eyes. They have been very impressed.

"We hope to set up our students to work for electrical contractors in the area so they can accumulate some of their required apprenticeship hours," Andr/a said. "Students get exposure to the National Electrical Code in the ECC program by using it for reference and it seems pretty overwhelming to them, but, they soon learn it is the electrician's bible. Every job is a little different because of the location, specifications, or the environment. They are always learning something new by getting hands-on training.

ECC's electrical program was established for 2003-2004 as a one-year diploma program.

Discussions are currently under way about a two-year associate degree curriculum.