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:

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:


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:

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.

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

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/