WCCC hires new Residential & Commercial Electricity Instructor Gilbert Murphy

July 23, 2015

CALAIS _ The Residential and Commercial Electricity program at Washington County Community College has a new instructor on staff who has years of experience in the field.

Gilbert Murphy of Eastport took over the instructor’s job in March, but later applied for the full-time position and was hired by the college.

“Gil is a wonderful addition to our teaching staff,” WCCC President Joe Cassidy said. “He is what we needed for the program. He is highly trained; he’s owned his own business and has a college degree. Our students are going to benefit greatly from Gil’s knowledge and love for the profession”.

Murphy brings more than 30 years of experience to the instructor’s position including owning his own business, Murphy’s Electric in Eastport.

His career in the electrical field began while he was in the U.S. Navy. After the Navy, he attended college and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine at Orono.

After graduation he worked for New England Telephone and later Georgia-Pacific Corp. in Baileyville. “I started as an electrician at the Waferboard Plant and ended as an Electrical Supervisor,” he said.

Murphy said he is excited to be joining WCCC and enjoys teaching future electricians. “We provide students with a variety of hands-on training in the classroom and special electrical projects in the community,” he said.

A diploma in Residential and Commercial Electricity provides students with the necessary skills for entry-level positions as an electrician. Students learn electrical theory and the techniques of the trade, including: blueprint reading, wiring, pipe bending, motor control and switching power circuits. Emphasis is placed on meeting the requirements of the National Electrical Code in all wiring installations. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to take the state’s Journeymen’s Examination and work for a Master Electrician.

“Students do a month of internship with a company, and then sit for the Journeymen’s test. After they pass, they get a license called Journeymen-in-Training. They then must work 2,000 hours to obtain their Journeymen’s license,” he said.

Those who wish to go on can work another 8,000 hours in order to receive their Master’s Electrician License.

If you would like to learn more about WCCC and programs offered, please contact the college at 454-1000.