Utility Construction Technician
Unique in the state
Technical Diploma
28 Credits | 1 Year
Financial Aid-Eligible
Rice Lake
Career Cluster: Architecture and Construction
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This program will be modified for the 2025-2026 academic year pending WTCS approval. Please contact an Admissions Advisor if interested or have questions.
If you enjoy working outdoors, like using heavy equipment and want to earn high wages, UCT is the program for you! As a graduate, you’ll be part of the nationwide drive to provide 5G broadband service to homes and businesses. Northwood Tech’s UCT program is one of only five colleges in the country affiliated with the Power Communications Contractors Association (PCCA).
Program Overview
Utility Construction Technician students learn how to run cable overhead and underground using heavy equipment like horizontal directional drills, mini-excavators, vibrational plows, and bucket trucks. Students will learn pole climbing techniques in our 10 acre outside lab area. Additionally, students will take the required truck driving courses that prepare them to take their CDL A license.
Program Outcomes
Employers will expect Utility Construction Technician graduates to be able to:
- Demonstrate safe practices and techniques
- Demonstrate heavy equipment operation
- Perform site location and preparation
- Perform construction practices
- Complete CDL-A licensure
- Utilize construction plans
- Apply basic electrical principles
- Demonstrate customer service
- Analyze broadband principles
- Perform preventative maintenance practices
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
Directional drilling is an economical and environment-friendly method for the installation of pipelines underneath rivers, roads, railway tracks, buildings and other obstacles. With this method, you can install: sewer, freshwater, gas, oil, and telecommunication pipelines without trenching. In the first step, a pilot bore is made from the entry to the exit point.
Bringing the nation 5G.
High wages and advancement opportunities.
Operate equipment to build higher internet speeds to rural areas.
Academics
Utility Construction Technician classes are held at the Rice Lake campus. Students of the program will obtain the hands-on training that employers in the industry are looking for in an applicant.
One-Year Technical Diploma
After just two semesters, successful graduates of this program will be prepared with the entry-level skills needed to enter the utility workforce.
Industry Certifications
Industry Certifications awarded to students include: OSHA 10, WIS DOT Flagger Certification, and First Aid, CPR, AED. Industry Certifications that students may have the ability to obtain include: CDL Class A and ETA Fiber Optic Installer Certification.
Simulation Training
Students have the opportunity to utilize simulation training, including: Excavator and Backhoe.
Required Courses
This program will introduce outside plant cabling practices, installed as aerial cable between poles in an underground conduit system or by direct burial. Students will understand the basic electricity, blue print reading and facility locating. Students will have the ability to obtain a CDL class A permit. They will practice basic construction practices techniques for outside plant services. Students will analyze work zone safety practices and receive an OSHA 10 permit.
Featured Utility Construction Technician Courses
Utility Construction Technician is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Utility Construction Technician student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
You could take this first and get a credential.
This is the program you’re looking at.
Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Utility Construction Technician
28 Credits | 1 Year
$5,049
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Utility Construction Technician Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Utility Construction Technician technical diploma.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
The PCCA Education & Research Foundation website allows members and their employees’ college-bound students to apply online for the new PCCA Scholarship Program. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are awarded each year to selected applicants.
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
Due to the embedded technical diploma of Truck Driving within the Utility Construction Technician program, Northwood Tech's Truck Driving program is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The College has not determined and does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examination, or licensure in states/territories other than Wisconsin and Minnesota as documented on the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states/territories other than Wisconsin or Minnesota should contact the appropriate licensing board in the state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements.
For more information, visit:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
