LCC >
Environmental, Design and Building Technologies Department
Career Facts
What is a construction electrician?
Construction electricians install the power system wiring in
homes, stores, offices, schools or industrial facilities. They are licensed by
the State. To become licensed, an electrician must complete an apprenticeship
with a licensed electrical contractor consisting of 8,000 hours of on-the-job
training. Completing LCC's associate degree in electrical technology provides
1000 of those hours. After completion of the on-the-job training, electricians
take the State's licensing exam to be licensed as journey electricians. After
two-years of related work experience, a journey electrician can take the State
of Michigan exam to become a master electrician
What is a machine control and
maintenance specialist?
Control and maintenance specialists work in plants where they maintain and
troubleshoot the power control circuits that operate plant machinery. They
inspect equipment and locate and correct problems before breakdowns occur. When
needed, they install new equipment. When breakdowns occur, they make the
necessary repairs. Control designers spend time in an office but also set up and
maintain machinery on the factory floor. These employees may work for equipment
manufacturers; contract control houses or machine repair companies for whom they
develop, install and debug new control designs.
What skills are required?
Both construction electricians and electrical control/maintenance
specialists need mechanical aptitude and logical thinking skills. Coursework in
math, electricity, electronics, mechanical drawing, science and shop are
helpful. Electricians should have at least average physical strength and possess
agility, dexterity and good color vision.
Where are they employed?
Construction engineers work for construction companies, electrical
contracting companies or as independent contractors. Electrical control and
maintenance specialists work in plants and factories which use many machines.
They spend most of their time working on machinery but may work on electrical
problems as well.
What degrees and certificates does LCC offer?
LCC offers an associate degree and certificates of achievement and
completion for both construction electricians and machine control and
maintenance specialists.
What is the average salary?
The current median hourly earnings of a licensed electrician is
approximately $28.00 per hour.
What else should I know?
Job opportunities for electricians are expected to grow.
Employment is expected to grow faster than the average occupation from
2008-2012. For more information, contact the program advisor at (517) 483-1071.
