Gas Utility Construction and Service Technical Diploma

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

• Gas Construction Mechanic: installs and maintains gas distribution and transmission pipelines using trenching, backhoe, underground road boring, plastic fusion, welding, mapping, and record keeping skills.
• Gas Meter Mechanic: installs, repairs, and maintains electronic and mechanical gas metering equipment.
• Gas Service Mechanic: installs and maintains residential, commercial, and industrial gas piping, valving, pressure regulating, and overpressure protective equipment.
• Gas Clerk-Estimator: develops specifications and related maps and records used in installing and maintaining gas distribution facilities. Records of this type are manual but are moving towards computer emphasis.
• Gas Regulator Maintenance Mechanic: installs and maintains high pressure gas regulating, measuring, odorizing, heating, filtering, valving, and piping systems; electronically and mechanically operated equipment are involved.
• Gas Appliance Repair Mechanic: maintains and troubleshoots residential and/or commercial gas appliances and heating/cooling equipment.
• Underground Facilities Locator: locates and marks all underground facilities prior to excavation using various locating equipment.
• Pipe Fuser is responsible for handling and fusing pipe and ensuring every fuse on the job is 100% correct.
• Gas Utility Technical Trainer Provide learning events that build student knowledge and skill with a primary focus on natural gas.
• Directional Drill operator/locator are responsible for running a variety of directional drilling equipment in a safe manner. Knowing and understanding Dig Safe laws and trenchless technology.
• Gas Utility Sales Rep provide needed materials/parts to Gas Utilities and contractors.
• Engineer/Designer will perform detailed design of gas distribution systems. This work includes field engineering; completing applicable design calculations; preparation of installation drawings and specifications/notes for utility crews or third-party contractors; development of bills of materials and procurement documents.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

• Construction Crew Foreman
• Corrosion Technician
• Meter and Regulator Technician
• Utility Locating Supervisor
• Pipeline Welder
• Vendor Sales and Marketing

Requirements for Program Entry

• Completed application.
• High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted).
• Be able to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
• Students should have mastered basic math skills. For a description of basic math, see the Basic Education section of this catalog.
• To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Curriculum

Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the Gas Utility Construction and Service technical diploma in the number of semesters shown.

First Semester

10-890-101

College 101

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-890-101 COLLEGE 101 ...Students will utilize digital tools and resources to assess, explore, practice, apply, and evaluate both employability and learning skills. By establishing NWTC cultural values as hallmarks of success in academic, career, and personal settings the course encourages reflective, personalized development of a growth mindset and emphasizes the importance of making wise choices. To maximize the return on investment, students should take this course in their first semester as it identifies key expectations (hidden rules) of higher learning and professional employment.

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

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10-804-312

Math-Algebra/Trades

2

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-804-312 MATH-ALGEBRA/TRADES ...signed numbers, order of operations, scientific notation, metric units/measurement, calculator operations, algebra, introductory trigonometry, Pythagorean Theorem, solving right triangles. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arith score greater/equal to 237 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 237; OR TABE A 9/10 Math greater/equal to 9.2 AND Rdg greater/equal to 8.3; OR TABE 11/12 Math greater/equal to 602 AND Rdg greater/equal to 567; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 14 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 15; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor 920-498-5444)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

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31-442-315

Welding-Gas Service 1

2

31-442-315 WELDING-GAS SERVICE 1 ...position pipe welding utilizing oxyacetylene and gas metal arc welding, welding safety, weld faults and causes, weld joint design, and fitup. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Gas Utility Construction & Service; Corequisite: 10-804-312, Math-Algebra Trades)

Course Typically Offered: Summer

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31-469-311

Gas Utility Field Trng 1

5

31-469-311 GAS UTILITY FIELD TRAINING 1 ...construction equipment safety and operation (trenching, backhoe, boring), equipment maintenance, gas and vehicular safety, and field mapping. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Gas Utility Construction & Service)

Course Typically Offered: Summer

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10-413-350

CDL Preparation Training

1

10-413-350 CDL PREPARATION TRAINING ...this course is designed to prepare students for the Wisconsin Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) pre-trip inspection. Preparation will also be given for taking the State DOT written test including general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Gas Utility Construction & Service or Electrical Power Distribution programs)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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Semester Total

11

Second Semester

31-422-311

Metallurgy

1

31-422-311 METALLURGY ...manufacture of iron and steel, mechanical and physical properties of metals, metal identification, macro and microscopic grain structures, welding metallurgy, applied heat treating processes, and weld failures and fractures.

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

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31-442-325

Welding-Gas Service 2

2

31-442-325 WELDING-GAS SERVICE 2 ...position pipe welding utilizing gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding processes, pipe fitup, and pipe weld testing according to API 1104 code. (Prerequisite: 31-442-315, Welding-Gas Service 1)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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31-469-345

Basic Elect for Gas Appliances

2

31-469-345 BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR GAS APPLIANCES ...Electrical safety, basic electron theory, electrical terms, Ohm's Law, basic AC and DC circuits, measure voltage, resistance, and current in an electrical circuit, volt meter basics, identify functions of common controls and components in gas appliances, identify functions of common sensing devices in basic gas appliances (Prerequisite: Accepted into Gas Utility Construction & Service)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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31-469-320

Gas Utility Field Trng 2

5

31-469-320 GAS UTILITY FIELD TRAINING 2 ...natural gas line installation standards for plastic pressure testing, fusion, leak detection procedures, general installation procedures and repair of plastic mains and services, introduction to propane gas systems and safety. (Prerequisite: 31-469-311, Gas Utility Field Training 1)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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31-469-330

Gas Utility Field Trng 3

5

31-469-330 GAS UTILITY FIELD TRAINING 3 ...installation and repair of steel mains and services, applied field welding and maintenance, line testing and leak detection procedures, approved safety installation procedures using hand tools and supportive equipment. (Prerequisite: 31-469-320, Gas Utility Field Training 2)

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31-801-385

Communicating-Writing

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

31-801-385 COMMUNICATING-WRITING ...writing techniques, memos, letters, descriptions, instructions, and the job-seeking process (Prerequisite: Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 237 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 15 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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Semester Total

16

Third Semester

31-469-341

Gas Utility Field Trng 4

5

31-469-341 GAS UTILITY FIELD TRAINING 4 ...installation, maintenance, and repair of residential gas appliances, venting codes, line stoppering equipment, corrosion control, regulators, metering, first aid, and customer service training. Electrical sources/circuits in gas appliances, safe practices, test equipment, reading wiring diagrams, gas/electrical control functions, ignition systems, sequence of operation and troubleshooting. (Prerequisite: 31-469-330, Gas Utility Field Training 3; 31-469-345, Basic Electricity for Gas Appliances)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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31-801-386

Communicating Effectively

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

31-801-386 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY ...interpersonal communication, including the function of interpersonal communication, listening techniques, perception, non-verbal communication, language, self-concept, conflict resolution and customer service. (Prerequisite: One of the following or the equivalent: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater; satisfactory reading assessment scores OR Prerequisite: 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better).

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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Semester Total

6

Total Credits

33

Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements but must be passed with a C or better.

Program Outcomes

• Install gas piping for natural and propane gases
• Adhere to OSHA Safety procedures
• Maintain gas distribution systems
• Service gas appliance

Industry Credentials

Students receive a certificate from the Midwest Energy Association. This certificate is recognized throughout the United States.

Students also receive selected Pipeline Operator qualifications as mandated by the Federal Office of Pipeline Safety.