ASCC Trades & Technology Division grants certificates to 9 who completed Residential House Wiring II

By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pagp Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A total of nine individuals have successfully completed the Residential House Wiring II course, an intermediate‐level class within the Electricity Technology Program (ETP) under the American Samoa Community College Trades & Technology Division. For weeks, they gathered after long workdays, learning how to wire circuits, troubleshoot faults, and understand the electrical systems that power homes across the Territory. Course Facilitator Ryan Peau congratulated the participants during their final session, commending them for their perseverance and commitment to attending evening classes despite work and family obligations. “These evening classes weren’t easy,” he told the group. “You all sacrificed time with your families and pushed through long days at work. I hope what you’ve learned here helps you in your jobs — but also in your everyday lives.” Peau, who has guided many students through the ETP sequence, said Residential House Wiring II is where learners begin to bridge theory with real‐world application. After successfully completing the Residential House Wiring I Course, the students continued to work hands‐on with tools, panels, and mock‐up walls, practicing the same tasks performed by working electricians. For one participant, the course offered something even more valuable: clarity in an industry where one wrong move meant certain death. Originally from the Philippines, he said the training helped him understand the fundamental differences between the electrical systems he grew up with and the ones used in American Samoa. “I learned a lot, especially about the difference between the 120‐volt system used here and the 240‐volt system we use back home,” he said. “This will help me a lot in performing my job in the Territory.” His experience reflects a broader reality — American Samoa’s workforce includes many skilled workers from across the region and beyond, each adapting to the Territory’s unique technical standards. Courses like this one help bridge that gap. The oldest member of the class, 79‐year‐old James McGuire, told Samoa News that it is never too late to learn. McGuire, a Monterey, California native who has lived in the Territory for more than 50 years, currently serves as the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate. He shared that Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean has entrusted him with monitoring the progress of work on the new Fono building. McGuire said this responsibility motivated him to enroll in the course, as he wanted to understand the basics of residential wiring when inspecting the portions of the Fono complex still under construction. “I wanted to know what I’m looking at,” he said, noting that the training will help him carry out his oversight duties with greater confidence. The Residential House Wiring II course is part of a larger sequence designed to prepare students for entry‐level employment in the electrical trade, apprenticeships, and further technical certification. The nine graduates now move forward with stronger skills and a clearer understanding of residential wiring, safety procedures, and troubleshooting — all essential for entry‐level electrical work or further certification. But for Peau, the most important outcome is the sense of empowerment. “Electrical work is something people carry with them,” he said. “Whether they use it on the job or at home, it’s knowledge that makes life safer and easier. That’s what this program is about.” As the Territory continues to grow and modernize, ASCC’s Trades & Technology Division remains a quiet but steady force — training the hands that will wire the next generation of homes, businesses, and communities. Section: Local News Tags: Residential House Wiring II
2026-05-27 17:38:29