How to Select the Right Electrician Training School near Sardis Mississippi
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Sardis MS. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many factors to consider. For example, many potential students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their home. After they have found some that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the sole things that need to be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options
There are multiple ways to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Sardis MS. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Mississippi trade and technical schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are offered by Mississippi junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Mississippi institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Sardis MS can perform a vast array of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be earned in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs
An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools have become more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning may be a more practical option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Commuting costs from Sardis MS are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Sardis MS area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Many electrician vocational programs have attained 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 pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Sardis MS school and program are 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 receive a superior education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it 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 lower completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent 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 list of alumni, which may 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Sardis MS grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician training programs are taught along 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 companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Sardis MS area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional 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 in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Sardis MS electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Sardis residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and find out 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 reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Sardis MS, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Electrical College Sardis Mississippi
Selecting the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrical College and wanting more information on the topic Online Electrical Certificate Programs. But as we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are examining includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every program provides different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Sardis MS.
More Electric Locations in Mississippi
Sardis, Mississippi
Sardis is a town in Panola County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,038. Sardis is one of two county seats for Panola County, Mississippi; the other is Batesville, on the south side of the Tallahatchie River.
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,038 people, 790 households, and 493 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,028.0 people per square mile (397.4/km²). There were 862 housing units at an average density of 434.8 per square mile (168.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 41.90% White, 56.43% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.
There were 790 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 23.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.24.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
1 Reviews 