Midwest Line College ®
Course Descriptions
Midwest Line College is offered three (3) times per year (spring, summer, and fall sessions). The curriculum was designed so the MLC course will meet the needs and standards of the electrical industry. Students participate in the classroom and lab instruction for 480 hours, 5 days a week, 8 hours each day (8 am-4:30 pm with 30min lunch). The course is designed to last 13 weeks with a one week break during the course.
Students are required to complete all courses detailed in this section. The following description provide a very basic overview of each course.
Electrical System
In this course, students will learn the basics of the electrical grid system. Here is where they will learn about how electricity is generated, transmissions lines, distribution lines, substations, and supply electricity to the customer.
Electrical Theory
This course will establish the fundamentals of electricity, giving the students a solid background of electrical concepts. Here they will learn about the behaviors of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits.
Rigging
Students will learn how to tie knots, splice rope, and be able to calculate strains and tensions when lifting or hoisting. They will learn about mechanical advantages when using parted blocks. They will learn how to recognize the dangers and where to stand during a lift so they are out of harms way.
Transformers
In this course students learn the parts of a transformer, how it works and how to read a nameplate. Students learn how to install transformers and how to properly connect it to a customer’s home.
Career Preparation
This course is where students will learn about the different employment opportunities and career paths. They will learn about power companies and contractors. They will learn how to establish contact with potential employers, create and submit resumes, and they will take place in a mock interview to better prepare them for employers.
OSHA 10 & ET&D
This course is given by an authorized Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Outreach trainer. They will be given the OSHA 10 Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) format. Each student will receive an OSHA 10 ET&D card. It will provide participants with crucial lifesaving information designed to increase awareness of contributing factors associated with injuries. It focuses on both electrical safety principles and hazard recognition.
Personal Productive
Grounding
Students will learn the importance of properly grounding a de-energized line. They will learn the proper steps on how to install personal protective grounds on overhead and underground lines. The student will then install equipotential zone grounding (EPZ).
Equiptment
Students will learn how to set up and run basic functions on the digger derrick and bucket trucks.
Distribution
Students will learn the different materials and tools used for distribution systems. They will also complete common tasks related to distribution. Here they will also perform pole-top rescue.
Undergound
Students will learn the different material and tools used when working on underground circuits and components. They will also complete common tasks related to underground systems. Students will also demonstrate vault rescue.
Transmission
Students will learn how to climb and work on wood and steel transmission structures. They will also complete Tower Rescue training.
Climbing
Students will learn to use and inspect their climbing gear. Learn how to inspect the wood poles before climbing. Learn proper techniques for working from wood poles, they will rotate, ascend, and descend the pole all while using fall protection.