Construction Cluster

Electricity

About This Program

The Electricity Program prepares students for meaningful employment in the fields of electrical contracting, design, or engineering. Achieving proficiency in Electricity requires a systematic progression beginning with apprenticeship during high school (Cooperative Education) or upon graduation. Students are placed with local electrical contractors based on their specific skill sets and applicability to contractor business models. Prior to internships or Cooperative Education work, the students are prepared with a comprehensive curriculum based on Massachusetts frameworks and National Standards. See below for full course description.

Career Paths

  • Master Electrician
  • Journeyman Electrician
  • Public Utility Worker
  • Business Owner
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electrical Inspector
  • Electrical Code Instructor
  • Electrical Shop Instructor
  • Lighting Designer
  • Electrical Supply Sales
  • Systems Contractor
  • Alarm Installer
  • Solar Energy Installer

Industry Partnerships

  • Habitat For Humanity
  • IBEW
  • High Tech Electric
  • Helco Electric
  • Cranney Electric
  • John A. Penney Co., Inc.
  • Talbot Electric
  • Silveira Electric
  • Paras Electric
  • SkillsUSA

Certifications

  • OSHA 10 Hour Construction
  • CMR.13.00 Journeyman Eligibility Criteria
  • 1500 +/- On the job experience toward apprentice
  • 300 Hours Education toward license

Articulation Agreements

  • MA Board of Electrical Examiners
  • Division of Professional Licensure
  • Bunker Hill Community College

Advisory Committee Members

  • Andy Adricopoulos, Andrew Andricopoulos Electrical
  • Chris Antonellis, JACT of Greater Boston
  • Peter Binda, Helco Electric, Inc.
  • John Caputimini, Essex Electric
  • Brian Cranney, Cranney Companies
  • Anthony Deguglielmo, Madison Park Technical High School
  • David Delande, Delande Electric Supply
  • Mark Fialkowski, Town of Danvers
  • Christopher Girard, MEC Electrical Contractors
  • David Keenan, Keenan Electric
  • Carly Keenan
  • Casey Lemmel, Rexel Electric Supply
  • Andrew Nicastro, Cranney Companies
  • Thomas Paras, Paras Electric
  • Roy Simoes, Peabody Municipal Light
  • Nick Taormina, C/O Roy Spittle & Associates
  • Socrates Xerras, Xerras ElectricItem 1
Andrew Gallione

Student Outcomes

Andrew Gallione, Class of 2014

Where are they now? Beverly Hospital, Plant Operations Deptartment.

What is their job title? Master Electrician

“The education Essex North Shore provided gave me a jumpstart on my career in the electrical industry, while also teaching me the necessary skills to attend college. The teachers and staff changed my life; they always saw the good in me and helped me believe in myself.”

Meet the Electrical Teachers

Jared Norkiewicz

Mr. Jared Norkiewicz

Electrical Teacher
JNorkiewicz@essextech.net

Richard Whitaker

Mr. Richard Whitaker

Electrical Teacher
RWhitaker@essextech.net

Robert Brown

Mr. Robert Brown

Electrical Teacher
RBrown@essextech.net

Christos Xerras

Mr. Christos Xerras

Electrical Teacher
CXerras@essextech.net

Electricity Course Descriptions

Course NumberNameCreditGrade Level
el101Electricity Exploratory 91.0Grade 9
el103Electricity 910.0Grade 9
el200Electricity 1016.0Grade 10
el201Electricity Theory 104.0Grade 10
el300Electricity 1120.0Grade 11
el301Electricity Theory 114.0Grade 11
el305Electricity Cooperative Education 1112.0Grade 11
pcn301CTE Pathway: STEM for Construction2.0Grade 11
pcn302CTE Pathway: Understanding Specifications & Blueprints2.0Grade 11
el400Electricity 1220.0Grade 12
el401Electricity Theory 124.0Grade 12
el405Electricity Cooperative Education 1224.0Grade 12
pcn401CTE Pathway: Construction Management2.0Grade 12
pcn402CTE Pathway: Renewable Energy in Construction2.0Grade 12

Graduates earn up to 300 of the 600 required hours of classroom time and up to 1500 of the 8000
hours of the required on-the-job training time toward their electrical apprenticeship.

Electricity Exploratory 9 

Course # el101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to the many different career opportunities in the electrical field. Students will learn what an Apprentice electrician is and develop a basic understanding of what is required to become a successful Journeyman electrician. In addition to employability and safety skills, students will be provided a basic overview of electrician hand and power tools in order to expose them to on-the-job experiences. Integration with science and mathematical understanding is integral as Ohm’s law and electromagnetic theory are discussed. Projects include basic schematic and wiring diagrams, splicing of conductors and installing receptacles, single-pole switches, lighting, and three-way switching. 

Electricity 9

Course # el103 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course will introduce students to the required safety concepts, mindset, tools, equipment, and business practices of the electrical contracting trade. Potential specialization within the electrical field is discussedandconceptsintroducedduringtheexploratoryperiodarefurtherreinforcedfortheremainder ofthe year. Tool skills are honed and practiced, and preparing readiness for the Sophomore year is a main focus. 

Electricity 10 

Course # el200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course introduces students to residential wiring and circuitry. Emphasis is placed on proper wiring techniques and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Wiring methods include non-metallic sheathed cable, metal clad cable, electrical metallic tubing, rigid non-metallic conduit, and surface metal raceway. Safety precautions include lock out tag out procedures, the proper use of tools and other potential hazards. This course is based on Massachusetts 237 CMR 22.01 Hours of Education Required as a Prerequisite to Sit for Journeyman Examination and includes: DC theory; AC theory; NEC application of AC and DC theory; electrical bonding and grounding; ground path theory; conductor selection; overcurrent protection; wiring methods; low voltage systems; use of NEC tables and examples; Massachusetts Electrical Code and Amendments; conduct of electricians; job site and electrical safety. 

Electricity 10 Theory 

Course # el201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course introduces students to basic wiring diagrams, project specification sheets, and materials identification. Students will learn the proper use of lines and symbols, specifications, construction materials: types and uses. Students will also deepen their understanding of the purpose, layout, and navigation strategies of the National Electrical Code. 

Electricity 11 

Course # el300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course focuses on live work as opposed to projects completed in the career program setting at workstations and with projects on and off campus. Emphasis is placed on proper wiring techniques and the National Electrical Code. Focus points include hands-on wiring of single-phase installations used in residential construction. Wiring methods and trade academics will include non-metallic sheathed cable, metal clad cable, electrical metallic tubing, rigid metal conduit, surface metal raceway, and rigid nonmetallic conduit, application of the National Electrical Code; services, branch circuits, electrical bonding and grounding, and low-voltage systems and controls. 

Electricity Theory 11 

Course # el301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course formalizes concepts introduced in grade 10 by associating them with the National Electrical Code. Specific practices include sizing wires for various circuits, sizing raceways and conduits to protect wiring, sizing electrical fittings, boxes, enclosures, and selecting the proper materials to complete various projects. Emphasis is placed on navigating the National Electrical Code and applying the correct sections. This course partially satisfies the theory requirement for hours necessary to sit for Journeyman Examination and is consistent with Massachusetts Board of Examiners of Electricians and DESE rules and regulations. (237 CMR 13.00 Eligibility for initial licensure criteria). 

Electricity Cooperative Education 11 

Course # el305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only. 

Electricity 12 

Course # el400 | Credits: 20
This full-year course will begin with a review of all previous courses with an emphasis on higher integration of the National Electrical Code (NEC), with Massachusetts Electrical Code (MEC) Amendments, and apprentice-level quality of work. Students review residential, industrial, and commercial wiring as they participate in on-and off-campus projects. The major focus is on Massachusetts 237 CMR 22.01 Hours of Education Required as a Prerequisite to sIt for Journeyman Examination and includes: electrician math and basic electrical formulas; electrical circuit construction; AC theory; raceway, outlet box, and conductor fill; conductor selection and overcurrent protection; branch circuit/feeder/service calculations; motors, controls, and transformer requirements; use of NEC/MEC tables and examples; swimming pools; one-, two-, and multi-family dwelling calculations; motor calculations; review of Board Rules and Regulations; and a review of Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to the Electrical Trade. 

Electricity Theory 12 

Course # el401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course continues the formalized concepts introduced in grade 11 and expands those concepts by adding National Electrical Code based calculations for various individual circuits, building equipment, and entire dwelling units. Specific practices include calculating circuit requirements for appliances, general lighting, receptacle outlets, motors, and entire building services. Emphasis is placed on navigating the National Electrical Code and applying the correct sections. This course partially satisfies the theory requirement for hours necessary to sit for Journeyman Examination and is consistent with Massachusetts Board of Examiners of Electricians and DESE rules and regulations. (237 CMR 13.00 Eligibility for initial licensure criteria). 

Electricity Cooperative Education 12 

Course # el405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.

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