Vocational School For Electrician Drexel NC

How to Enroll in the Right Electrician Trade School near Drexel North Carolina

Drexel NC electrician working on circuit boardThe first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Drexel NC. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have found a few that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the sole things that must be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your final judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, 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 Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs

Drexel NC electrician on power line poleThere are multiple options to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Drexel NC. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the three most prevalent programs available.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by North Carolina trade and technical schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees involve 2 years to complete and are provided by North Carolina junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some North Carolina institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites

Drexel NC electrician wiring boxElectricians in Drexel NC 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 completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases 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 vocational school that you enroll in not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs

Drexel NC student attending electrician school onlineA possibility that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Travelling expenses from Drexel NC are also lessened and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Questions to ask Drexel NC electrician schoolsNow that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Drexel NC area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before choosing an electrical tech school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Drexel NC program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring 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 training programs you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential 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 employ 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 additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Drexel NC students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Drexel NC area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form 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 up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Drexel NC electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Drexel home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with several of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Drexel NC, verify that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Vocational School For Electrician Drexel North Carolina

Drexel NC electricians working on power linesChoosing the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Vocational School For Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrical Technician Course. But as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Drexel NC.

More Electric Locations in North Carolina

  • Electrician Training Requirements Morganton NC
  • Online Courses For Electrician Newell NC
  • Electrician Classes Ivanhoe NC
  • Electrician Classes Online Carthage NC
  • Quick Electrician Courses Pink Hill NC
  • Learn How To Be An Electrician Ellerbe NC
  • Be An Electrician Wake Forest NC
  • How Long To Become An Electrician Swepsonville NC
  • Electrical Programs Spindale NC
  • How Long Is Electrician School Aulander NC
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

     

    North Carolina Highway 114

    NC 114 is a spur route, starting at I-40 (exit 107), it goes north, crossing US 70 before entering the town of Drexel. The road ends, after the railroad tracks next to a what was a factory, at Oakland Avenue.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 18

    Baird & Branch Electric Service
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    3199 US 70 E, Drexel, NC 28690

    Hickory Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    Hickory, NC 28601

    Western North Carolina Electric Service
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    1995 Pleasant Hill Ave, Morganton, NC 28655

    Kayga Electric Company
    2 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    608 Lenoir St, Morganton, NC 28655

    Sunset Wiring
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    90 27th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601

    Tri-City Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    Newton, NC 28658

    Dedmond Electric
    2 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    527 Belwood Lawndale Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090

    Hudson Plumbing & Electric
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians
    Phone:
    3710 Falling Creek Rd, Hickory, NC 28601

    Pleasure Pools & Spas
    2 Reviews
    Landscaping, Painters, Electricians
    Phone:
    1952 Briarwood Dr, Hickory, NC 28602

    The Electric Plumber
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Electricians, Contractors
    Phone:
    Bakersville, NC 28705