INSTITUTIONS OFFERING ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY AND WHO IS AN ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIST?
Electrical technology is the study of electricity, electrical equipment and the installation, maintenance and repair of such equipment. In other words you can say that it is the technology of producing, storing, controlling, transmitting and getting work from electricity. In the program, you learn the science behind electricity and how to apply that knowledge in making or repairing electrical equipment, appliances or devices. Examples of these include the torch (flashlight), doorbell, heater, hair dryer etc. An electrical technologist is a person who has studied electricity and electrical equipment and is able to install, maintain and repair these equipment. These people study machines, equipment and systems that conduct or produce electricity.
WHERE DO ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGISTS WORK?
As an electrical technologist you can work in power generation and distribution companies such as ZESCO or Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) or North Western Energy Corporation (NWEC). Other places where you are likely to be employed include companies that offer electrical solutions and also install equipment such as solar panels and batteries. These companies include Kasuba power solutions, Savenda electrical and hardware Ltd, Ganesh power solutions etc. There are also other companies like Slimline electronics and COPTECH Construction Zambia, that distribute electrical appliances and help install or repair them. As an electrical technologist, you can also open your own repair shop where clients can bring in their electrical or electronic equipment for repairs.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
The type of tasks that you are expected to do as an electrical technologist depend on where you work. In power generation and distribution companies, you work with electrical engineers in the distribution of electricity to the company’s customers. Specific work done includes installation of transformers, extension of the power grid, connection of buildings to the power grid, and installation of electricity meters among other things. Electrical technologists also carry out installation of the wiring of buildings or factories and join these wires to outlets, transformers and circuit breakers. In addition, they also test wiring and connections to make sure they are working fine. For testing, the electrical technologists use voltmeters, ohmmeters, ammeters and other instruments. For those working in equipment repair, you are expected to replace things such as wires, switches, fuses and circuit breakers and on top of that perform what is called preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance in this case is carrying out maintenance on electrical equipment before a fault develops.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIST?
As an electrical technologist you are most likely going to work from 08:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs from Monday to Friday in most places. In some work places you can be required to work at night but this is not very common.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To be an electrical technologist you need to have interest in physics and mathematics. These subjects in high school help you to understand and appreciate what you will be taught in college or university.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
In your stay at college, the following are the subjects that your program will cover: workshop practice, electrical machines, engineering drawing, engineering materials, electrical fundamentals, instrumentation, control and protection, electronics, supply and distribution, project management and organisation, communication skills, physics, mathematics, entrepreneurship, fibre optics, robotics and digital electronics
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The entry requirements for electrical technology at diploma and craft level are five ‘O’ level credits (grade 6) or better in Mathematics, English, Science and any other two subjects. The minimum entry requirement at Trade-test level is a grade 9 certificate.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
In Zambia the highest qualification that is offered in the field of electrical technology is a diploma. Although, related and higher fields include electrical technician and electrical and electronics engineering (has a degree, masters and PhD) respectively. These two programs are offered within the country in a few institutions.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
LUANSHYA TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) / 2 years ( Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance Learning
Admitting school: Engineering and Construction
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Luanshya
Contacts
Tel: +260 966 814941
E-mail: info@ltbc.edu.zm
Website: www.ltbc.edu.zm
KABWE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance
Admitting school: Construction Department
Intakes: January
Location: Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 143641/ +260 977 520038
E-mail: kabweit@gmail.com
Website: www.kit.edu.zm/index.php/downloads/fees
LIVINGSTONE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
Programme duration: 3 months (Trade-test level III) / 1 year (Trade-test level I) / 2 years (Craft certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance
Intakes: January, May, September
Location: Livingstone
Contacts
Tel: +260 960 949041/ +260 977 576286
E-mail: libeszambia@gmail.com
Website: www.libescollege.edu.zm
NORTHERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 3 years 4 months (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance Learning
Admitting school: Faculty of Electrical and Refrigeration
Intakes: January, May and September for Full-Time / April and August for Distance Learning
Location: Ndola
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 671699/ +260 977 555467/ +260 977 321447
E-mail: principal@nortec.edu.zm
Website: www.nortec.edu.zm/?page_id=57
MUFULIRA TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate)
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Mufulira
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 135566/ +260 955759576
KITWE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 261509/ +260 954 478315
E-mail: kvtcmb@yahoo.com
Facebook: Kitwe Vocational Training Center
LUSAKA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Part-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 242270
E-mail: admissions.office@lvtc.edu.zm
Website: www.lvtc.edu.zm
SOLWEZI TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 2 years (craft certificate)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Solwezi
Contacts
Tel: +260 979 595647 / +260 968 506773 / +260 968 781983
Facebook: Solwezi Trades Training Institute Info Corner
LUSAKA BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 1 year (Trade-test) / 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 2 years 8 months (Adv. Certificate) / 3 years 3 months (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Intakes: January, May and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 971 528420/ +260 953 260223
E-mail: marketing@lbtc.ac.zm
Website: www.lbtc.ac.zm
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRE
Programme duration: 2 years (Craft Certificate) / 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time, Part-time and Distance Learning
Admitting school: Department of Electrical/Electronics
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 244177 / +260 967 906830 / +260 977 686181
E-mail: info@itczambia.co.zm
Website: www.itczambia.co.zm