Hutchinson Community College
The Graham Montgomery Traffic Signal Technician Internship & Apprenticeship Program
Program Purpose and Overview
Gades Sales Company, Inc. in partnership with Hutchinson Community College (HCC), offers an Internship-to-Apprenticeship Pathway designed to support workforce development in the area of Traffic Signal and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) maintenance and operations.
This program provides students enrolled in the HCC Industrial Mechanical Maintenance Certificate Program with structured, paid, work-based learning that is directly aligned with:
- Related technical instruction provided by HCC
- Industry-recognized certifications administered by the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA)
- Progressive on-the-job learning consistent with Kansas Registered Apprenticeship (KRA) standards
The pathway supports student completion, employment placement, and long-term career advancement in a high-demand technical occupation.
Program Entry: Internship Phase
Eligibility Requirements (Year 1)
Students must:
- Be enrolled in the HCC Industrial Mechanical Maintenance Certificate Program
- Demonstrate interest in electrical systems, mechanical maintenance, and field-based technical work
- Be capable of working safely in public right-of-way and construction environments
Internship Employment Structure
- Employer: Gades Sales Company, Inc.
- Employment Status: Paid Intern
- Wage Rate: $18.00 per hour*
- Work Schedule: Part-time (minimum 24 hours per week) or full-time, coordinated with academic commitments
- Supervision: Field Service Supervisor and qualified traffic signal technicians
Learning Objectives
Interns will receive hands-on exposure to:
- Electrical fundamentals
- Conduit fabrication and installation
- Traffic signal cabinet components and wiring
- Work zone safety and traffic control practices
- Traffic signal construction, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Initial Qualification Requirements
To advance into the formal Apprenticeship Phase and qualify for employer-funded tuition reimbursement, the intern must complete the following within the first twelve (12) months of employment:
- Twelve (12) months of continuous, satisfactory employment with Gades Sales Company
- Completion of the IMSA Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Technician Certification (funded by Gades)
- Successful completion of the following HCC coursework totaling nine (9) credit hours, with a minimum grade of “B” in each course:
AE100 – AC/DC Circuits (4.0 credit hours)
AE101 – Digital Multimeter Principles (1.0 credit hours)
AE155 – Electrical Maintenance (3.0 credit hours)
EE117 – Conduit Fabrication (1.0 credit hours)
Prerequisite: AE155 requires completion of AE100.
Upon successful completion, the student will be formally admitted into the Gades Sales Company & Graham Montgomery Traffic Signal Technician Apprenticeship Program.
Apprenticeship Phase
Eligibility Requirements (Year 2)
Apprenticeship Employment Terms
- Employment Status: Registered Apprentice
- Wage Rate: $20.00 per hour*
- Work Schedule: Part-time (minimum 24 hours per week) or full-time
- Supervision: Field Service Supervisor and senior technicians
The Apprenticeship Preparation Phase may extend up to one (1) year to allow completion of certificate coursework and required IMSA training.
IMSA Certification and Career Progression – Required Certifications
- IMSA Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Technician (Required prior to apprenticeship start)
- IMSA Traffic Signal Technician I
Timing: By the end of the second year of employment
Entry-level field certification required for independent work - IMSA Traffic Signal Technician II
Intermediate certification required for independent cabinet work and electrical responsibility - IMSA Traffic Signal Senior Field Technician III
Advanced certification funded by Gades at the five-year milestone
Tuition Reimbursement Structure
Upon execution of the formal Apprenticeship Agreement, Gades will reimburse up to ten (10) additional credit hours required to complete the HCC Industrial Mechanical Maintenance Certificate.
Eligible Courses
EE126 – NEC Codeology (1.0 credit hour)
ME106 – Industrial Fluid Power (3.0 credit hours)
ME110 – Fundamentals of Motor Controls (3.0 credit hours)
ME129 – Mechanical Maintenance Skills (3.0 credit hours)
Reimbursement Conditions
- Courses must be pre-approved by Gades
- Courses must be required for certificate completion
- Final grade of “B” or higher is required
Payment Method
Reimbursement will be issued as a taxable bonus through W-2 wages upon receipt of:
- Official HCC grade report
- Tuition and fee documentation
Academic Completion Requirement
All remaining coursework must be completed.
Employment Phase
Eligibility Requirements (Years 3-5)
Full-Time Employment and Advancement
Upon completion of HCC coursework funded by Gades:
- Apprentice transitions to full-time employment
- Wage Rate: $29.00 per hour*
- Eligible for up to 5% annual merit-based increases
- Full-time benefits offered by Gades Sales Company at the time
- Employee enters a three (3) year post-apprenticeship employment period
Journeyman Classification
Upon completion of IMSA Traffic Signal Technician II and five (5) total years of service:
Employee transitions to salaried status
- Salary: $80,000 annually
- Full benefits provided
- Employee classified as Traffic Signal Technician Journeyman
Employment Commitment
The employee commits to five (5) years of continuous, satisfactory employment from the start of the Internship/Apprenticeship start date.
Repayment Clause
The employee will be required to repay the full amount of employer-funded tuition reimbursement if any of the following occur:
- Voluntary resignation
- Termination for cause
- Failure to complete the five-year employment commitment
- Failure to complete the HCC certificate program
- Failure to maintain a minimum grade of “B” in required coursework
- Failure to obtain the IMSA certifications up to IMSA Traffic Signal Technician II in described timeline in this program.
Begin Your Career in Traffic Signal and Intelligent Transportation Systems Maintenance & Operations
Fill out the form and submit your resume for consideration.