How to Pick the Best Electrician Trade School near Waterboro Maine
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Waterboro ME. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified a few that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that must be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
There are several options to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Waterboro ME. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are short explanations of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Maine vocational and trade schools and take about 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 Degrees involve 2 years to complete and are provided by Maine junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Maine institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Waterboro ME can undertake a vast array of duties, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you select not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs
An alternative that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning can be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Driving costs from Waterboro ME are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Now that you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Waterboro ME area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other factors that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Waterboro ME program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It might also indicate 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 alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Waterboro ME grads obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Waterboro ME area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Waterboro ME electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Waterboro residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Waterboro ME, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers 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.
Accredited Electrician Technical Schools Waterboro Maine
Choosing the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Electrician Technical Schools and wanting more information on the topic Electrical Maintenance Training. But as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each training program provides different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Waterboro ME.
More Electric Locations in Maine
Waterboro, Maine
The town includes the districts of North (04061), South (04087), and East (04030) Waterboro, in addition to the largest development in southern Maine, Lake Arrowhead Community. The introduction of Maine subdivision regulation, and Maine Planning Boards, is the direct result of the creation of the largest subdivision, Lake Arrowhead Community. The reaction of the Maine State Legislature was mandatory Planning Boards, and subdivision regulation.
Abenaki Indians called the area Massabesic, meaning "the place of much water", a reference to the region's lakes. It was part of an extensive tract of land purchased in 1661 by Major William Phillips of Saco from Chief Fluellin. Known as Massabesic Plantation, it included most of modern-day Waterboro, Alfred and Sanford. Phillips died in 1683, and the plantation eventually passed from his heirs to 10 proprietors. One of those proprietors was Colonel Joshua Waters, for whom the town would be named.[4]
Lumbering began to thrive there about 1764. Captain John Smith from Kittery was the first permanent settler, arriving in 1768. On March 6, 1787, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated the township as Waterborough. In 1790, Old Corners became the site of the Court of General Sessions, although in 1805 the county seat shifted to Alfred. In 1895, the name was shortened to Waterboro.[4]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 17
2 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 2 Reviews 1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
1 Reviews 