New Program at CAC
On Thursday, Jan. 26, Central Arizona College conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Wilson Electric Training Facility at its Superstition Mountain Campus.

The facility was designed and built by Wilson Electric to provide students in the Commercial Electrician?Installer certificate program with industry standard training opportunities.

In December of 2018, Wilson Electric approached Central Arizona College to explore the option of creating a commercial electrical installation program that mirrored the college’s partnership with Sundt Construction. CAC administrators worked with Wilson’s leadership to develop a semester-long, 18-credit hour commercial electrician installer program to meet the growing needs for commercial electricians and the program began in January 2019.

During the first year of the Wilson/CAC Workforce Development partnership, 25 students enrolled, and this number doubled the following year. Enrollment continues to remain strong in the program and student performance has been excellent.

Upon completion of the program, students earn a Commercial Electrician Installer certificate from CAC and certificate credentials from National Center for Construction Education and Research and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Todd Klimas, president of Wilson Electric, said, “CAC and Wilson Electric have a strong partnership, providing career paths for individuals aspiring to be an electrician. The Commercial Electrician Installer program meets four days a week, for eight weeks at the Superstition Mountain Campus. The program includes jobsite and vendor-training facility visits, and community outreach programs. Students receive hands-on and real-life application instruction from experienced electricians.”

He added, “Wilson Electric offers one and a half years of completed apprenticeship experience to any program completer they hire along with company stock after one year.”