How to Pick the Right Electrician Vocational School near Highland Lakes New Jersey
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Highland Lakes NJ. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of points to consider. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have located some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable 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, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs
There are three general options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Highland Lakes NJ. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are short summaries of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by New Jersey technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are offered by New Jersey community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at some New Jersey colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Highland Lakes NJ can undertake a wide range 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 mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around four to five years of practical experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 3 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 imperative 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 might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Programs Online
A possibility that you might have contemplated is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning may be a more convenient choice for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Commuting expenses from Highland Lakes NJ are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Highland Lakes NJ region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about 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 although all three qualifiers may be critical 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 assess prior to choosing an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Highland Lakes NJ program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states mandate 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 of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Highland Lakes NJ students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Highland Lakes NJ area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides employment 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 in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Highland Lakes NJ electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Highland Lakes home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to several of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Highland Lakes NJ, check that the programs you are reviewing 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, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
What Education Do You Need To Be An Electrician Highland Lakes New Jersey
Picking the best electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in What Education Do You Need To Be An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Vocational School. But as we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you choose is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Highland Lakes NJ.
More Electric Locations in New Jersey
Highland Lakes, New Jersey
Highland Lakes (mistakenly referred to as Highland Lake by the United States Census Bureau since the 1990 Census[1][4][9]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Vernon Township, in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States.[10][11][12][13] As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 4,933.[4] Highland Lakes has its own Post Office with the ZIP code 07422.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 6.099 square miles (15.797 km2), including 5.071 square miles (13.134 km2) of land and 1.028 square miles (2.663 km2) of water (16.86%).[1][2]
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,933 people, 1,875 households, and 1,387.500 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 972.8 per square mile (375.6/km2). There were 2,342 housing units at an average density of 461.9 per square mile (178.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.55% (4,763) White, 1.09% (54) Black or African American, 0.26% (13) Native American, 0.43% (21) Asian, 0.04% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.63% (31) from other races, and 0.99% (49) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.98% (295) of the population.[4]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 305
31 Reviews 
15 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
13 Reviews 
26 Reviews 
37 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 