• Course Description:
    The Electrical Occupations program at Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center has been designed to provide students with entry-level skills and knowledge to enter the workforce or pursue further education in the electrical field. Hands-on and theoretical lessons will cover the National Electric Code, residential wiring techniques, industrial wiring techniques, commercial wiring techniques, electrical drawings, and more.  

    Course Objectives:
    The objective of Electrical Occupations is to provide students with the appropriate industry training that will prepare them to enter the workforce directly or to pursue further education upon completion of the program.  Mr. McGinnis’s goal is to provide the students of Electrical Occupations with the skills that employers are searching for, so Level 3 students are able to participate in the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center Co-Op program.

    Course Content:
    Course content is based on the State of Pennsylvania's Department Of Education's Task List under the CIP Code. 46.0399 Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.

    • 100 Basic Safety
    • 200 Hand Tools
    • 300 Power Tools
    • 400 Blueprint Reading
    • 500 Anchors and Supports
    • 600 Residential Cabling Technology
    • 700 Switches and Receptacle Circuits
    • 800 Fixtures
    • 900 Raceways
    • 1000 Wired Devices
    • 1100 Testing Equipment
    • 1200 Electrical Service
    • 1300 National Electrical Code
    • 1400 Green Technology

    Grading:
    Grading Breakdown:

    • Attitude 30%
    • Knowledge 30%
    • Skills 40%

    Grading Scale:

    • A 93%-100%
    • B 85%-92%
    • C 77%-84%
    • D 70%-76%
    • F 00%-70%

    Dress Code:  
    Dressing appropriately is not only required by the school, but it is necessary to ensure all students working in the shop will be safe. The uniform for Electrical Occupations includes a uniform shirt, tan work pants (khaki pants, tan dickies, or other tan work pants will be allowed), and work boots (composite toe boots are recommended but not required, boots with exposed steel toes are not permitted). Safety glasses will be provided by the school, but you may purchase a pair at your preference as long as they are ANSI Z87 Rated.

    • Any student who is not properly dressed will not be permitted in the shop area due to the safety risk they pose to themselves and/or other students, which will adversely affect the weekly grade. Students will also not be able to work outside jobs without the proper uniform.

    Supplies:
    Students will need a three-ring binder or folder and notebook to retain materials distributed in class. There will also be note-taking:  Students may choose to use college-ruled lined paper or a notebook. Students are also responsible for having pens and pencils at all times. Please see Mr. McGinnis privately if you have trouble obtaining any of these supplies.

    Students should also bring any school-issued technology (Chromebook, iPad, Laptop) to class charged every day. 

    Tools and Equipment:
    Tools will be provided by the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center. It is highly recommended that students purchase their own tool belts. Students are required to use the set of tools that are assigned to them and only for their intended purpose. Any misuse and/or vandalism of tools or shop equipment will result in disciplinary action.  Students may purchase and bring in certain hand tools with prior approval by Mr. McGinnis, and it is the student's responsibility to secure his or her tools.  The school will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.  

    Educational References:

    • Residential Construction Academy:  House Wiring 
    • National Electric Code   
    • Practical Problems in Mathematics for Electricians
    • Delmars Standard Book of Electricity 

    Course Expectations:
    Classroom Participation - Classroom participation is essential for students to get the most out of the Electrical Occupations program at Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center. It is encouraged that students ask questions as appropriate and participate in classroom discussions. Mr. McGinnis is passionate about teaching Electrical Occupations and is here to help. There is no such thing as a stupid question!!! A weekly attitude grade will be issued to each student based on their participation in the day’s activities, attendance, and behavior in class.

    Behavior - It is important to the success of the student and the class that there are no behavioral distractions during class time or at any time that students are at Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center. Students are expected to behave responsibly, just as they would in a job setting. Examples of negative behavior may include, but are not limited to, violence, using tools in a manner that may pose a threat to another student or themselves, foul language, etc. Negative behavior will not be tolerated, and any students who may be a threat to themselves or any other students will be directed to the appropriate resource as soon as possible. In order to work in the shop, students must adhere to all rules and regulations.  

    Classroom Attendance - Attending school is the number one factor that will ensure that students are on the right track to being successful in their future - you cannot learn if you are not in school! Students are responsible for obtaining an absent note from their parent(s) and/or guardian within three days of their absence. At that time, the appropriate personnel will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused.  

    • A PDF file for absent notes or advance absent notes may be found on the Attendance Office’s website: https://www.westerncenter.org//site/default.aspx?PageID=272. Any questions about the Attendance Policy may be directed to Ms. Lucie Terkowski: (610) 489-7272 x 209.
    • It is the responsibility of the student to find out what they have/will be missed and to manage their time accordingly between current classroom assignments and missed assignments and complete the missed assignment in a timely manner that has been approved by Mr. McGinnis.

    Outside Jobs:
    It may be requested that Electrical Occupations students perform electrical work around Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center. Working in an outside job is a privilege and will give students valuable work experience, so to be eligible to partake in an outside job, the following criteria must be met:

    1. The student has proven to Mr. McGinnis that they will act responsibly and can positively represent the Electrical Occupations program.

    2. The student has demonstrated the ability to work as a member of a team.

    3. The student has demonstrated working knowledge of the shop rules and regulations.  

    4. The student has demonstrated that he or she will always utilize proper personal protective equipment and follow safety protocols.

    5. The student has proven that he or she can properly clean their worksite and other students’ worksites.

    6. The student has satisfactory classroom attendance and maintains at least a "B" average.

    7. The student has not had substantial disciplinary infractions.

    8. The student has demonstrated proper handling of tools and shop equipment.

    9. The student is wearing the correct Electrical Occupation uniform.

    10. The student has completed all overdue/late projects or assignments.

    The privilege of working in an outside job may be revoked at any time. Any negative behavior will be reported to Mr. McGinnis and may impact students’ privilege of participating in the co-op program in addition to the classroom weekly attitude grade along with any skills grade associated with the project.

    Co-Op Program:
    It is Mr. McGinnis’s goal is that all of his students demonstrate that they are able to utilize the skills and knowledge that they have learned in Electrical Occupations and apply them in a real-world application. Like outside jobs, co-op is a privilege and may be revoked at any time. The following (but not limited to) will be taken into consideration when a student desires to participate in the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center Co-Op Program:

    1. Discipline Record

    2. Classroom Attendance

    3. Classroom Participation

    4. Work ethic and Quality

    5. Performance at Homeschool

    6. Outside Job Performance

    7. Electrical Occupations Overall Average

    Certifications:

    • S/P2 - Construction Safety Training
    • S/P2 - Construction Interviewing Skills
    • OSHA-10 Hour Certification
    • NOCTI Competency Certificates
    • WMCTC Certificate of Completion

    Safety Is Our Goal!
    Our number one priority at WMCTC is to educate students about the safety of all aspects of their chosen career path. We put a strong emphasis on educating our students on safety and refreshing that safety knowledge every year. We also make it a priority to provide industry safety certifications such as the OSHA-10 Hour Certification and the S/P2 Construction Safety Training Certification. There is no point in going to work every day if you are not coming home safely!