R.W. Mercer Co. is a family-owned construction and service company headquartered in Jackson, Michigan with seven locations – six in Michigan and one in Indiana. The company operates in three distinct areas of construction: petroleum contracting and service, general contracting, and electrical. In each area, R.W. Mercer provides a turn-key approach that includes planning, design, construction, and installation as well as service, monitoring, and maintenance.
An Electrical Apprentice at R.W. Mercer is an entry-level trainee that works with our Journeyman and Master Electricians while enrolled in an apprenticeship program to learn concepts and skills to become a certified Journeyman Electrician. You will receive a combination of classroom education and paid on-the-job training. We are committed to your success as an electrician and the investment of your future.
REQUIEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-
High Mechanical Aptitude
-
Enjoy working with your hands
-
Ability to follow directions or instructions
-
Able to identify issues and solve problems
-
Perform a variety of tasks involving heavy lifting and flexibility
-
Organized and analytical
-
Works well along and in team environments
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
-
At least 18 years of age or older
-
High School Diploma, GED, or equivalency
-
Able to pass Basic Skills Test, Multi-Craft Aptitude Test, Color Identification Test, and Drug Screen.
- No experience required
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Classroom Education: Our classroom education is currently completed through Penn Foster. It includes four years of study with 144 hours of related classroom instruction required each year. This instruction includes, but is not limited to the following:
-
First Year: Safety instruction, history, present and future of the trade, trade jargon, mathematics, applied science, introduction to electricity and electronics, blueprint reading and specifications.
- Second Year: Mathematics for electronics, electrical wiring (residential), residential blueprint reading, DC fundamentals and circuits, technical communications.
- Third Year: Geometry and trigonometry, applied physics, mathematics for electricians II, motors and generators, commercial and industrial blueprint reading, electrical wiring (commercial).
- Fourth Year: Electrical wiring (industrial), transformers, electrical drafting, applied electronics for industry, electrical machinery, analysis and repair, social economics, advanced blueprint reading and layout.
On-The-Job Training: Our Apprentices will receive training in various work experiences. The order in which training is given/received will be determined by flow of work on the job. The times allotted to these are estimated times which the average apprentice will require to learn each phase of the trade. This is a guide to indicate the quality of training provided and the ability of each apprentice to absorb the necessary training. Through four years of study our apprentices will receive a total of approximately 8000 hours of on the job training.
- 900 Hours: Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools
-
900 Hours: Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem
-
700 Hours: Connect Wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components
-
600 Hours: Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes
-
600 Hours: Place conduit, pipes or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes
-
600 Hours: Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring and equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes
-
500 Hours: Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes
-
400 Hours: Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors
-
400 Hours: Repair or replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools
-
400 Hours: Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system
- 400 Hours: Use a variety of tools and equipment such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment including oscilloscopes, ammeters, and test lamps
- 300 Hours: Hazardous
- 300 Hours: Construct and fabricate parts, using hand tools and specifications
- 300 Hours: Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit and moving and lifting heavy objects
-
300 Hours: Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures
-
200 Hours: Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets
- 200 Hours: Perform business management duties such as maintaining records and files, preparing reports and ordering supplies and equipment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Environment
Working is often strenuous and you may stand for long periods. You will frequently work on ladders or scaffolds and you environment may vary depending on the type of job being performed. Exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions. Electricians risk injury from electrical shock, falls, and cuts; to avoid injuries you must follow strict safety procedures and company policies. Exposure to possible hazardous conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; may be required to travel and work extended hours in the evenings and weekends.
Physical
Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a construction environment; walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate to heavy amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Digging and working in trenches. Working in confined spaces, from heights, and hot/cold weather conditions.
Vision / Hearing
See in the normal vision range with or without correction. Ability to identify and separate wires by color. Hear in the normal range with or without correction.
