Des Moines Area Community College.

Electrical Construction Trades

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

  • Blueprint Reading
  • Drafting
  • Electricity
  • Computer Literacy
  • *Introductory Algebra

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Reading requirements in this program are technical and highly visual. Textbooks are used as training manuals. In ELT174, Electrical Grounding, students use the text for independent study, with assistance as needed from the instructor. In addition to their textbooks, students will learn to read blueprints, wiring diagrams, and ladder diagrams. They are taught to use electrical code books, which require selecting the appropriate charts, finding the needed information, and sometimes cross-referencing to make decisions about wire type, sizing, and number of wires that can fit into a conduit.

On the job, graduates will read trade journals and continue to use blueprints, diagrams, and code books. If they are accepted into an apprenticeship program, they will use study reading during five more years of classes, followed by a continuing education requirement of 12 hours of coursework every two years.

Tests in the program are based on both texts and lectures. Test formats include true-false, multiple choice, fill-the-blank, and hands-on performance. Students are sometimes required to justify their answers by documenting the source.

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Language

Teamwork and speaking skills are important in this career. In ELT158, NEC Residential, students must work in teams to gather information and make classroom presentations. On the job, they will need strong oral language skills to talk to engineers or make sales to customers.

In their electrical courses, written work might not exceed short paragraphs explaining safety precautions. However, students write three-page reports in COM703, Communications Skills, a program requirement. On the job, workers will complete forms to document tasks performed and report accidents. If they become independent business owners, their writing requirements will also include estimates.

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Math

Students in this program take MAT772, Applied Math, which assumes a good background in operations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. In their electronics courses and on the job they use scientific notation and metric conversions; apply Ohm’s Law; and compute current, resistance, and voltage in series and parallel circuits. They also use trig tables to determine the angle of bend of conduits.

In their coursework, students use scientific calculators. However, to qualify for the apprenticeship program after graduation, they must pass a math test. Calculators are not allowed on this test, which involves algebraic reasoning.

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Learning

IStrong observational and trouble-shooting skills are required in this program as students learn to identify a wiring problem, trace the cause, and decide how to solve the problem. They also need to recognize when to ask for help.

Of all the study skills related to program success, time management is probably the most important.

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Computer

Students entering the program should be comfortable with such computer basics as using a mouse, using email, and opening attachments. In the program they take CSC110, Introduction to Computers; and in their COM703, Communication Skills, course, they are expected to use a word processing program to prepare reports, business letters, and resumes. They learn to use industry-specific software in ELT119, Programmable Logic Controllers.

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In general, students who succeed in this program combine solid algebra and analytical reading skills with a strong work ethic and excellent attendance.