School of Skilled Trades & Arts (STA)
The Electrical Trades Certificate Program provides students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and technical skills necessary to enter the field of electrical trades. A certificate is obtained by the student after successful completion of three terms and is accepted by the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division toward the four-year experience requirement for the State of New Mexico Journeyman Electrical Certificate (JE98).
Theory and lab courses are designed to be taken together to give students an in-depth understanding of the concepts of electrical trades.
See Recommended Sequence of Courses
First term students obtain knowledge and hands-on training for personal and tool safety, meter reading, electrical circuitry, electrical formulas, electrical calculations, material identification and AC/DC motor operation and troubleshooting.
Second term students are taught residential blueprint reading, application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NM Electrical Code (NMEC) and local electrical codes, installation of branch circuits and feeders, residential services, single pole, three and four-way switch circuits, door chime installation, dryer, range and swamp cooler circuitry and conduit bending.
Third term students receive safety training, technical skills, power distribution systems, 3-phase services, hazardous locations, commercial blueprint reading, circuitry, 3-phase motor starters, timers, mechanical and hydraulic conduit bending, power threaders, cutting and threading of rigid metal conduit, knock-out punches, hammer-drill operation, powder actuated fasteners, cable installation, wire pulling and application of the NEC.
Special Requirements
Students must have normal color differentiation. Electricians work with identified colored wires requiring accurate connections. The moving and installation of electrical materials and equipment necessitate that the electrical worker be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Electrical workers may work in various internal and external environments and should be free of chronic respiratory diseases and allergies. Most employers require a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Please contact the School of Skilled Trades & Arts (STA) for required tool list.
Fees: Course fees are published in the Schedule of Classes. These fees cover the cost of tools required for lab activities.
Approximate Costs of this Educational Option
Financial Aid Considerations
Career and Educational Opportunities
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions predicts a continued increase in the demand for electrical workers for years to come. The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that the starting wages for electrical workers range from $14.51 to $24.68 per hour or $30,180 to $51,318 annually. Coursework from Electrical Trades/Residential Wiring may be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology.
Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.
For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating from CNM section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.