Utility Construction Technician

Worker operating a machine

Utility Construction Technician

Unique in the state

Technical Diploma

28 Credits | 1 Year

Financial Aid-Eligible

Rice Lake

Career Cluster: Architecture and Construction

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

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.

Ariel photo of UTC worker

Bringing the nation 5G.

A utility construction student using a heavy machine

High wages and advancement opportunities.

A utility construction worker using the machinery that is used in the industry

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: Truck Driving, 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. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Utility Construction Technician Courses

32476305
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
In this course, students learn safe buried construction practices for utility services, including using hardware components and equipment for rigging and installation. Students also operate a variety of construction machinery in a controlled site environment and practice maintenance procedures. The course covers hand and power tool operations, loading and unloading machinery to meet DOT regulations, and detained information on the installation, structure, and components of electric, telephone, cable, and broadband systems. The module emphasizes how underground utility systems work and coordinate with 811.
31476310
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
The student will be introduced to broadband transport facilities. Course explains general, personal, and test equipment for broadband installation. Identify types and applications for broadband installation techniques. Covers installation, termination for broadband networks. Introduces the types of equipment and methods used in broadband drop installations. The student will use all required broadband machinery to complete project base exercise.
30458304
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This is the first of three courses in the 10-week Truck Driving technical diploma. Become prepared for entry-level positions as a commercial driver and understand basic information about trucks and their operation. You will need to present your DOT physical (Fed-Med) card and CDL Permit (CLP) prior to enrolling in the course. A scheduled drug screen is required prior to behind-the-wheel training. If you need assistance with passing the CLP, refer to the CDL Theory course designed to help you prepare for the test. NOTE: It is required that the Truck Driving program students enroll in all three levels of truck driving (30458304, 30458305, 30458303) at the same time to secure space. PREREQUISITE: Admission to the Truck Driving, Utility Construction Technician or Diesel Equipment Technician Plan.

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.

Technical Diploma
10 Credits / Less than 1 Year
Potential Careers
Company Driver/Owner Operator, Driver Manager. Driver Mentor, Local/Regional/Long Distance Driver, Recruiting Specialist, Dispatch Driver, Over-the-Road Truck Driver, Straight Truck Driver (Dump, Cement, Delivery)
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This is the program you’re looking at.

Technical Diploma
28 Credits / 1 Year
Potential Careers
Utility Service Operator, Vibratory Plow Operator, Horizontal Directional Drill Operator, Excavator Operator, Truck Driver Equipment Hauler, Fiber Optic and Copper Splicer, Utility Service Flagger, Underground Facilities Locator, Utility Service Laborer
Arrow pointing down

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.

Requirements and Application 

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.

Learn More About Cost of Attendance

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. 

Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation. 

View Career Options

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pcca logo

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

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

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Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

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Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

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Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

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