How to Choose the Right Electrician Training School near Lakehurst New Jersey
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Lakehurst NJ. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, some potential students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the sole things that must be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when picking an electrician 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 educational choices that are available.
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Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options
There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Lakehurst NJ. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are brief summaries of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by New Jersey vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are provided by New Jersey junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain New Jersey colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Lakehurst NJ can undertake a wide range of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around four to five years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in several specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online
A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, internet learning might be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Driving costs from Lakehurst NJ are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be accessed on line also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Lakehurst NJ area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other factors that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before enrolling in an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Lakehurst NJ program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Lakehurst NJ grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Lakehurst NJ area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment 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 state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Lakehurst NJ electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Lakehurst home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with some of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lakehurst NJ, check that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Training Courses For Electricians Lakehurst New Jersey
Choosing the right electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Training Courses For Electricians and wanting more information on the topic Trade School For Electrician. But as we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Lakehurst NJ.
More Electric Locations in New Jersey
Lakehurst, New Jersey
Lakehurst is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 2,654,[8][9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 132 (+5.2%) from the 2,522 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 556 (-18.1%) from the 3,078 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]
Lakehurst was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1921, from portions of Manchester Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 24, 1921.[21] The borough is named for its location near lakes and woods.[22]
The community of Lakehurst first reached international fame as a winter resort around the turn of the 20th century, following the opening of the Pine Tree Inn in 1898. In 1911, the rope factory in the town burned down, prompting the formation of a volunteer fire department.[23]
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