Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology

Overview

careers

  • Journeyworker

  • Relay Technician

  • Substation Technician

  • Utility Technician

Job Placement Rate ⓘ
0 %
Average Salary ⓘ
$ 0

The goal of the Mitchell Technical College Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology program* is to provide students with an extensive hands-on experience that integrates the knowledge, skills and competencies that the electrical power utility industry needs to ensure that customers have access to power. Graduates will learn to install, inspect, test, repair and maintain electrical equipment in substations and other smart grid equipment on the power grid.

Substation technicians are individuals who work with electrical engineers to design, construct and maintain a substation, the facility which collects power at the generation site, connects to a transmission grid and downloads energy to a distribution network where the power is delivered to the consumer. Graduates will find employment working outdoors at a substation or performing maintenance on the grid system housed inside a utilities service facility.

Applicants to the program must be graduates of Mitchell Tech’s Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Wind Turbine Technology, or Power Line Construction and Maintenance program or have a comparable diploma from an accredited postsecondary institute. All Electrical Utilities and Substation Technology students will be required to complete the A.A.S. degree general education requirements.

*Prerequisite program completion is required prior to enrollment.

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Curriculum

Award: AAS Degree

Semesters
0
First Semester
EUST110 > Basic Motor Controls2 credits
EUST114 > Substation Operations Lab I4 credits
EUST120 > Substation Operations I3 credits
EUST132 > Schematic Reading2 credits
EUST145 > Alternating Current Circuits2 credits
EUST150 > Substation Safety I1 credit
TRAN100 > Industrial Transportation CDL1 credit
Total Semester Hours15 credits
Second Semester
EUST115 > Substation Operations Lab II4 credits
EUST121 > Substation Operations II3 credits
EUST130 > Intro to Smart Grid & Metering2 credits
EUST131 > Fiber Optics for Substations2 credits
EUST151 > Substation Safety II1 credit
Total Semester Hours12 credits
General Education Requirements
CIS105 > Introduction to Computers3 credits
> Math Elective3 credits
> Communications Elective3 credits
> Behavioral Science Elective3 credits
> Social Science Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours15 credits

Requirements

Drug/Alcohol Screening and Immunization Requirements

Students are expected to conform to Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing while enrolled in this program.  See the MTC Catalog and Student Handbook for details.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the program must be a graduate of Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Wind Turbine Technology or Power Line Construction & Maintenance or must have a complete transcript from another institution.

Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:
  • Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel in order to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning
  • Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance
  • Troubleshoot and repair air brake and disconnect switches
  • Test insulators and bushings of equipment by inducing voltage across insulation, testing current and calculating insulation loss
  • Install transformers with proper connections
  • Install electrical meters with proper connections
  • Communicate effectively through both oral and written means
  • Demonstrate a professional attitude and work ethic
  • Apply reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems and seek information
Annual Program Review

Check out the 2023-24 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.

Faculty

Program Director / Instructor

Cost

Program Tuition & Fees ⓘ
$ 4000

Other Required Costs

CDL$1,000
Books / Tools (estimated)$1,314

Scholarships

$1000

8 AVAIL.

Otter Tail Power Company

Otter Tail Power Company Foundation

Must be enrolled full time in the Powerline Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Substation or Wind Turbine Technology program Must maintain a GPA 2.0 or higher Must complete the MTC Foundation Online scholarship application Must be from an Otter Tail Power Company Service Area

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

Powerline Construction & Maintenance
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area and enrolled in the Powerline Construction & Maintenance program

$1000

1 AVAIL.

East River Electric Power Co-op Scholarship

East River Power Cooperative

East River Electric Cooperative has been providing scholarship funds to Mitchell Tech since 2003. This scholarship is provided annually for a student in the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. The scholarship will be awarded in fall semester and applied to the recipient’s account for the Spring semester.
Electrical Utilities Substation student
Electrical Utilities Substation student

$500

2 AVAIL.

Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Central Electric Cooperative

Electrical Utilities & Substation
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Applicant must be a full-time student in the Electrical Utilities & Substation, Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Heating & Cooling, Agricultural Business or Agronomy program at Mitchell Technical College Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA Student must be a member or dependent of a member of Central Electric Cooperative based in Mitchell, SD Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Student must provide member name on account and Central Electric will verify membership status before recipient is announced

$1000

1 AVAIL.

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 2013.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled at MTC in one of the programs mentioned Applicant must complete the MTC scholarship application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship First priority will be given to students with ties to a SDAC member cooperative Essay responses will be a large part of the recipient decision

$1000

4 AVAIL.

Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships

Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year. The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must have good leadership skills

Contact Admissions

For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:

Admissions Office
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301

800.684.1969
605.995.3025
fax: 605.995.3067
[email protected]

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