How to Choose the Best Electrician Trade School near Troy Kansas
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Troy KS. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many variables to examine. For example, some prospective students will commence by looking for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have found some that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important, they are not the sole things that must be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are accessible.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options
There are three general ways to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Troy KS. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Kansas technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are offered by Kansas community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Kansas institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Troy KS can perform a multitude of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be acquired in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually 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 crucial that the electrician tech school that you enroll in not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online
A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Troy KS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be available online as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Troy KS area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we discussed 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 even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other variables that must be considered also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Troy KS school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Troy KS students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Troy KS area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained 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 technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Troy KS electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Troy home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Troy KS, verify that the schools you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Top Electrician Schools Online Troy Kansas
Choosing the right electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Electrician Schools Online and wanting more information on the topic How Long To Become An Electrician. But as we have covered in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Troy KS.
More Electric Locations in Kansas
Troy, Kansas
Troy was platted in 1855.[8] It was named after the ancient city of Troy.[9] The first house in Troy was built in 1856, and the first store opened in 1857. Troy was incorporated as a city in 1860.[10] The first post office in Troy was established in March, 1857.[11]
Troy grew up from humble beginnings along the wagon route from St. Joseph, Missouri to Oregon and California. British explorer Richard Francis Burton en route to California in 1860 noted: "Passing through a few wretched shanties called Troy ..."[12]
Troy is located at 39°47′17″N 95°05′27″W / 39.788099°N 95.090840°W / 39.788099; -95.090840 (39.788099, -95.090840).[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.99 square miles (2.56 km2), of which 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]
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