College, SRP team up for apprentice program

A new partnership between Mesa Community College and Salt River Project allows SRP relay technicians to obtain college credit while earning a full-time wage.

Technicians who enter the four-year SRP Apprenticeship Program take 144 hours of classes per year, working full time and taking classes after work. Completion of the program qualifies workers to receive a certified journeyman's card in preparation for work installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electrical relaying systems at power stations.

Technicians can take additional classes to obtain an associate's degree in Electronics Technology from MCC.

Lacy Greer, SRP's apprenticeship administrator, said the program is in response to a growing need for relay technicians.

"With the baby boomers retiring, we are facing a crisis," Greer said. "So we are hiring and training our own technicians to fill the 30 or 40 percent of workers who will be retiring soon."

Upon successful completion of the four-year program, a journeyman relay technician can expect a beginning base salary of about $75,000 a year.

For more information on the SRP Apprenticeship Program, contact Lacy Greer at 602-236-2182. For more information about the MCC Electronics Program, contact JD Neglia at 480-461-7385 or visit www.mccele.com.