Electrician Program

About the Program

Ridgewater’s Electrician programs prepares you to excel through the development of problem-solving skills. You will train to perform electrical work in residential and commercial construction as well as industrial and maintenance installation in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

You will experience:

• Complex areas such as motor controls
• Photovoltaic solar systems
• Service and transformers
• Specialized systems (generators, fire alarms, security systems, etc.)
• Heating, venting, and air conditioning
• Energy-efficient lighting and heating/cooling systems

Program Requirements and Job Outlook

Electrician AAS Electrician Diploma

82-credit Associate of Applied Science Electrician Degree

75-credit Electrician Diploma

• Approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry toward one year (or 2000 hours) of work experience allowing students to test for your Electrician Journeyworker license
• This track also includes such topics as:
  • Applied Math
  • Construction Site Safety
  • OSHA General Industry/First Aid
• Diploma includes six general education credits
• Degree includes 15 general education credits

Program delivery

• Hutchinson and Willmar Campuses
• Traditional style of face-to-face classroom instruction and lab
• Fall starts only

Program Distinctions

• Hands-on experience with specialized systems
• Training with green, eco-friendly products and technologies
• Curriculum that’s reflective of energy efficiencies
• Instructors possess a combined 100+ years of electrical industry experience

Career Info

Ridgewater Electrician graduates have enjoyed 100% job placement for more than five years, thanks to industry demand.

The projected Minnesota job growth outlook is about 9.5%, well above the state average, for 2018-2028. Central Minnesota current median wages are $35.55, much higher than the state median wage of $21.49 for all careers.