How to Choose the Best Electrician Trade School near Smyrna Georgia
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Smyrna GA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have found several that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the sole factors that need to be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
There are multiple options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Smyrna GA. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Georgia vocational and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are offered by Georgia junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Georgia institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Smyrna GA can undertake a wide range of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be acquired in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes three levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you choose not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
An option that you may have considered is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning might be a more practical choice for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Smyrna GA are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Smyrna GA region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Smyrna GA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also suggest that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Smyrna GA graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Smyrna GA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Smyrna GA electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Smyrna home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to some of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Smyrna GA, confirm that the programs you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
How Do I Become An Electrician Smyrna Georgia
Picking the best electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Do I Become An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Accredited Electrician Schools. But as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training program that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides different possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Smyrna GA.
More Electric Locations in Georgia
Smyrna, Georgia
Smyrna is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. It is located northwest of Atlanta, and is in the inner ring of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 51,271.[5] The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population in 2013 to be 53,438.[6] It is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs–Roswell MSA, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens–Clarke–Sandy Springs CSA. Smyrna grew by 28% between the years 2000 and 2012. It is historically one of the fastest growing cities in the State of Georgia, and one of the most densely populated cities in the metro area.[7]
Pioneers began settling the area in 1832. By the late 1830s, a religious encampment called Smyrna Camp Ground had become a popular travel destination and was well known throughout Georgia. It was named by Greeks for the Biblical city of Smyrna, modern day Izmir in Turkey, the home of the famous Christian martyr Polycarp. After the completion of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1842, the area began to grow. It was known by several names until 1872—Varner's Station, Ruff's Siding, Neal Dow, and Ruff's Station. The city was incorporated with the name Smyrna in 1872.[citation needed]
Two Civil War battles occurred in the area, the Battle of Smyrna Camp Ground and the Battle of Ruff's Mill, both on July 4, 1864.[8] The area's businesses, homes and 1849 covered bridge (since rebuilt and still in use today) were burned by Sherman's troops.
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