How to Pick the Right Electrician Technical School near Parsonsfield Maine
The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Parsonsfield ME. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are so many points to consider. For example, many students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. While cost and location 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 graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are offered.
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Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs
There are three general options to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Parsonsfield ME. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Maine vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Maine junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Maine institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Parsonsfield ME can perform a vast array of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in various 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 choose not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online
A possibility that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning may be a more convenient choice for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Parsonsfield ME are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Parsonsfield ME area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess before enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Parsonsfield ME school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also mean that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Parsonsfield ME grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Parsonsfield ME area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides 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 certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Parsonsfield ME electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Parsonsfield home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Parsonsfield ME, verify that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Electrician Certification Training Parsonsfield Maine
Choosing the right electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrician Certification Training and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Courses Near Me. But as we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every program provides unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Parsonsfield ME.
More Electric Locations in Maine
Parsonsfield, Maine
Parsonsfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,898 at the 2010 census. Parsonsfield includes the villages of Kezar Falls, Parsonsfield, and North, East and South Parsonsfield. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.
This was part of a large tract of land sold on November 28, 1668 by Newichewannock Indian Chief Sunday (or Wesumbe) to Francis Small, a trader from Kittery. The price was two large Indian blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of gunpowder, four pounds of musket balls and twenty strings of Indian beads. Small then sold half his interest to Major Nicholas Shapleigh of what is now Eliot. In 1771, heirs sold the township to Thomas Parsons and 39 associates, upon which it was surveyed into 100-acre (0.40 km2) lots. Called Parsonstown Plantation, it was first settled in 1772 by 12 families.[4]
On August 29, 1785, the town was incorporated as Parsonsfield after Thomas Parsons, one of the largest proprietors. The Blazo-Leavitt House, a fine example of the Federal style, was built in 1812. Parsonsfield Seminary was founded in 1832 and closed in 1949.[5]
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