How to Pick the Right Electrician Technical School near Kent Illinois
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Kent IL. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of variables to consider. For instance, some potential students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their home. When they have found some that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that must be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate decision when picking an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
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Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options
There are several ways to get electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Kent IL. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Illinois trade and technical schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are offered by Illinois community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Illinois institutions, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Kent IL can carry out a wide range of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about four to five years of prior experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be acquired in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you select not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools
An option that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more convenient option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting costs from Kent IL are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be available online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
When you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Kent IL area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Kent IL school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It may also mean that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Kent IL graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Kent IL area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Kent IL electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Kent residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Kent IL, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Learn How To Be An Electrician Kent Illinois
Picking the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Learn How To Be An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic How Long Does It Take To Become An Electrician. But as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each training program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Kent IL.
More Electric Locations in Illinois
Kent, Illinois
Kent is an unincorporated community in Stephenson County, Illinois. Kent is home to Forreston State Bank, Kent Feed Mill, St. Paul's Lutheran Church (ELCA), Kent United Methodist Church, Kent Fire Department and the Kent U.S. Post Office.
Kent was surveyed and platted in 1887 at the same time the Chicago Great Western Railroad laid its tracks through Stephenson County.[1] When the village was founded it was the only village within its township and it was thought that the area had great potential for growth.[1] Kent is probably named for the Reverend Aratus Kent, a traveling evangelist from Galena, Illinois.[2] The post office in present-day Kent was established on July 29, 1850.[2]
Kent is located in Stephenson County, Illinois about 12 miles west of Freeport.[2] Kent is located in the southwestern part of its township, near the Stephenson-Jo Daviess County line. It is also in proximity to Pearl City.[1]
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