海角情

CALAIS _ The Residential and Commercial Electricity program at 海角情 has a new instructor on staff who has years of experience in the field.

Gilbert Murphy of Eastport took over the instructor鈥檚 job in March, but later applied for the full-time position and was hired by the college.

鈥淕il is a wonderful addition to our teaching staff,鈥� 海角情 President Joe Cassidy said. 鈥淗e is what we needed for the program. He is highly trained; he鈥檚 owned his own business and has a college degree. Our students are going to benefit greatly from Gil鈥檚 knowledge and love for the profession鈥�.

Murphy brings more than 30 years of experience to the instructor鈥檚 position including owning his own business, Murphy鈥檚 Electric in Eastport.

His career in the electrical field began while he was in the U.S. Navy. After the Navy, he attended college and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine at Orono.

After graduation he worked for New England Telephone and later Georgia-Pacific Corp. in Baileyville. 鈥淚 started as an electrician at the Waferboard Plant and ended as an Electrical Supervisor,鈥� he said.

Murphy said he is excited to be joining 海角情 and enjoys teaching future electricians. 鈥淲e provide students with a variety of hands-on training in the classroom and special electrical projects in the community,鈥� he said.

A diploma in Residential and Commercial Electricity provides students with the necessary skills for entry-level positions as an electrician. Students learn electrical theory and the techniques of the trade, including: blueprint reading, wiring, pipe bending, motor control and switching power circuits. Emphasis is placed on meeting the requirements of the National Electrical Code in all wiring installations. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to take the state鈥檚 Journeymen鈥檚 Examination and work for a Master Electrician.

鈥淪tudents do a month of internship with a company, and then sit for the Journeymen鈥檚 test. After they pass, they get a license called Journeymen-in-Training. They then must work 2,000 hours to obtain their Journeymen鈥檚 license,鈥� he said.

Those who wish to go on can work another 8,000 hours in order to receive their Master鈥檚 Electrician License.

If you would like to learn more about 海角情 and programs offered, please contact the college at 454-1000.