ELECTRICAL
INSTRUCTOR jim kalmbach
I started working at TPJCC in June 2008, as the HBI Electrical Instructor. But I first started working at Timberlake JC through a temp agency as a part time RA. While I was at Timberlake, the HBI instructor shared my name with others here at TPJCC and they began asking if I would be interested in working here.
I grew up as a Navy brat living in several places including San Diego, Hawaii, and the Philippines. I also spent time on a family farm in Washington where I started picking crops at the age of six and later having a paper route and at age sixteen I started setting chokers. By age seventeen I enlisted in the Navy.
I have seven children and ten grandchildren with another on the way .
A neighbor of my parents initially asked me if I wanted to learn how to wire houses and I said “Sure, why not” and the rest is history.
I started working in the electrical field in the early 60’s wiring houses and started the apprenticeship program in the late 60’s. I spent over fifty years in the field including time as a contractor and a short time as an electrical inspector.
My favorite part of the job is helping students get into an apprenticeship program and helping them to be successful. Maintaining contact with students after they leave JC is really rewarding, I really like hearing about their successes.
I think the most important thing that students can learn from me is employability skills, work ethic, stick to the program attitude and the drive to go all the way.
I think the best advice I can give students is keep your head down - do what is required – stay with it and it will pay off in the end.
When students complete their pre-apprentice here at TPJCC, HBI provides them with a tool box and the program provides them with about $150 worth of tools. I also like to buy the student a nice congratulatory lunch.
JOB CORPS OFFERS A BASIC ELECTRICAL PROGRAM AND AN ELECTRICAL TRAINEE, PRE-APPRENTICE PROGRAM THROUGH HOME BUILDERS INSTITUTE (HBI). ALL TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE HANDS-ON AND ARE SIMILAR IN CURRICULUM AND REQUIREMENTS.
OVERVIEW
Students in the Electrical trade learn foundational principles of electricity and develop a variety of skills that prepare them to apply for a Registered Electrical Apprenticeship Program upon completion. There are four different specialty electrical TARs, each teaching a specific area within the electrical trade. New students enter the Foundation class where they receive basic training and complete the NCCER Core course work leading to an Home Builders Institute (HBI) certification of completion.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, solving arithmetic problems accurately, physical fitness and agility, climbing, lifting, and handling of heavy materials. Listening and understanding information and ideas presented through written and spoken words.
SKILLS
Students in Electrical are trained in the following subject areas:
Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures
Ensuring that electrical work follows industry codes
Servicing street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems
Connecting wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components
Following electrical safety
CAREER OPTIONS
Most Electrical Job Corps graduates go to an apprenticeship program.
REQUIREMENTS
Before entering the Career Technical Training (CTT)program, students must: Complete all required activity in the Career Preparation Period, including Career Exploration and Career Success/Workplace Skills.
Before completing the CTT Program, students must meet basic academic requirements in math and reading. Demonstrate the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and correctly, plus high school level algebra. Show comprehension of written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
To complete a student must:
Have completed High School Diploma or GED.
Attained a Driver License.
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
Students attend classes Monday through Friday. On average students can complete the Electrical program within 12 to 16 months depending on the student's academic levels (math & reading and High School Diploma/GED status), and need to acquire a driver license. To work as an Electrician you must be enrolled in a registered Apprenticeship program, or have completed an Apprenticeship program and have a Journeyman’s card.
CREDENTIALS
Students have the opportunity to earn credentials in the training area that may lead to greater employment opportunities, higher wages, and promotions.
EXPECTATIONS
While on the job, they are expected to display the following traits at all times:
Attention to detail
Cooperation
Dependability
Independence
Integrity
Problem-solving skills
ELECTRICAL NUMBERS TO KNOW
$95,000 National average Earning potential for this career
Average Entry Wage: Apprentice Entry level $17.00 to $22.00 per hour.
Credentials - These are the credentials students have the opportunity to earn.
HBI ELECTRICAL PRE-APPRENTICE
HBI COMMERCIAL INDUSTERIAL SPECIALTY
HBI ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS SPECIALTY
HBI LIGHTING MAINTENANCE SPECIALTY
HBI RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR PV TECHNICIAN
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
OSHA 10
COUNTERBALANCED FORKLIFT
TRAFFIC CONTROL FLAGGER
LOCKOUT/TAGOUT - HAZARDOUS ENERGY
LADDER SAFETY
CPR/FIRST AID
GREEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATION
POWDER ACTUATED TOOLS CERTIFICATION
BOOM LIFT OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
Work Force Council Assessment Form
The assessment form that you fill out will greatly aid us in keeping our training programs relevant for your industries. Please take a few more minutes of your time at the end of today's meeting to complete this form.
Hover over the image to the left and then click the upper left corner in the box with the arrow in it, the form will open in a new tab. When you are done with the form just click the submit button.
Electrical Training Achievement Record (TAR)
Job Corps does not assign grades. Instead, it allows students to demonstrate their skill (competency) in a given subject area or training area. Instructors will mark the completion of training on a student's Training and Achievement Record (TAR). The proficiency levels on the TAR are 1, 2, and 3. Level 1 being that the student has been introduced to the tool/task, but is not yet proficient enough to do it on their own. Level 2 brings the student to the point where they are comfortable with the tool/task and can accomplish it on their own. Level 3 proficiency is when the student is highly proficient with the tool/task and to the point of being able to teach others. Students must attain at least a 2 proficiency level on all items to complete the trade. Click here to view the TAR's in more detail.
Electrical Skill Sections Credit Hours
A. Safety 100
B. Tools 40
C. Trade Math 40
D. Measurement 20
E. Blueprint Identification 10
F. Temporary Work Platforms 10
G. Anchors and Fasteners 10
H. Load Centers 30
I. Raceway Systems 50
J. Concepts of Electricity 50
K. Luminaries/Other Electrical Devices 50
L. Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical systems 50
M. Counter Skills 10
N. Employability Skills Concurrent with Training
Core Section Credit Hours 450
Specialty TAR Area of Study Additional Hours
Electrical Speciality 555
Lighting Maintenance Fundamentals 555
Commercial / Industrial Specialty 580
Solar PV System 460
Instructor Wish List
1. (1) (1) HP LaserJet Pro M283fdw Wireless Color All-In-One Laser Printer (7KW75A)
2. (1) 12V Cordless Sub-Compact Band Saw Kit
3. (1) Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit 120VAC
4. (1) Phase sequence and Motor Rotation Tester
Typical Tools & Equipment
AMPROBE WIRE TRACER
BENDER, PIPE
BENDER, PIPE CYCLONE
BENDER, PIPE, PVC
BENDER, PIPE, TRIPLE NICKLE
BOX, MITRE, MOTORIZED
DIGITAL MULTIMETER
DRILL PRESS
DRILL, ELEC, RECHARGEABLE
DRILL, ELECTRIC, HOLE HAWG
DRILL, ELECTRIC, PORTABLE
DUAL DISPLAY CLAMP-ON METER
GRAPHING CALCULATOR
HAMMER, DRILL
HAMMER, PORTABLE, ELECTRIC
HAMMER, ROTARY RECHARGE
PORTABLE GENERATOR
PORTABLE LIGHT METER
POWER FISHING SYSTEM
RADIO, 2-WAY WALKIE TALKIE
SAW, BAND, DEEP CUT, PORT
SAW, BAND, FLOOR
SAW, CIRCULAR WORM DRIVE
SAW, CIRCULAR, PORTABLE, ELECTRIC
SAW, RECIPROCATING
SCISSOR LIFT, 19 FT
SCREWDRIVER, PORT, ELECT
TESTER, INSULATION AND CONDUIT
THREADER, PIPE
THREADER, PIPE
TOOL, CRIMPING
WEATHER STATION, WIRELESS
WRENCH, IMPACT
WEBSITES:
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/electrician/salary/washington/
https://accessingunionapprenticeships.org/apprentiship-resources/