Madison College is launching an electricity technical diploma. This two-semester program is designed to give students a strong base in the electrical industry. With no experience necessary, anyone can get their start in an in-demand field. This is an opportunity for students to gain entry-level knowledge and become familiar with the industry before committing to a five-year apprenticeship. 

Students in the program will attend general education classes at Truax Campus with some program specific courses held at the Commercial Avenue Education Center, and other courses offered online. This program can also be taken part time or with spring admittance taking three semesters. Full-time students can expect to attend classes four days a week. 

“The U.S. is facing a crucial shortage of electrical technicians as our workforce ages, and we shift toward the ‘electrification of everything,’” said electricity apprenticeship instructor Matthew Wilkinson. “The transition to green energy technology including wind, solar, energy storage, and electrical vehicles is creating an incredible demand for electricians.”  

Wilkinson graduated from a one-year electricity technical diploma program in Green Bay before completing an apprenticeship at Madison College in 2004. He has been teaching full time at Madison College since 2014. 

The electrical apprenticeship team had discussed the need for an electricity technical diploma at Madison College for a couple of years. Other Wisconsin technical colleges such as Moraine Park Technical College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College have similar programs. Thanks to a WTCS Developing Markets grant, the funding needed was secured to finally develop this educational opportunity. 

Applications are open for the fall semester until Aug. 31 and for the spring semester until Jan. 15.