How to Enroll in the Best Electrician Trade School near Blue Bell Pennsylvania
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Blue Bell PA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to consider. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have located some that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when picking an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training 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 approaches to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Blue Bell PA. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most common programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Pennsylvania institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Blue Bell PA can perform a vast array of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies 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 strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Schools Online
An option that you may have considered is selecting an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating option for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Driving costs from Blue Bell PA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
When you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Blue Bell PA area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest 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 as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Blue Bell PA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important 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 employ 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Blue Bell PA students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical 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 businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Blue Bell PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Blue Bell PA electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Blue Bell residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one instruction 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 teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Blue Bell PA, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
How Many Years Of College To Be An Electrician Blue Bell Pennsylvania
Choosing the best electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Many Years Of College To Be An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Accredited Electrician Certificate Programs. But as we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Every program offers different options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Blue Bell PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell was originally known as Pigeontown, after the large flocks of the now-extinct passenger pigeons that once gathered there. The town was renamed in 1840 after the historically prominent Blue Bell Inn.
Blue Bell is known for its large executive-style homes, major business parks, community shopping facilities, and small businesses. It is one of the most affluent areas outside the Main Line communities in the Philadelphia area. In July 2005, Money magazine ranked Blue Bell 14th on its list of the "100 Best Places to Live in the United States".[1]
Blue Bell is located at 40°8′41″N 75°16′8″W / 40.14472°N 75.26889°W / 40.14472; -75.26889 (40.144759, -75.268752).[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km2), all of it land.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 382
11 Reviews 
17 Reviews 
39 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
39 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
25 Reviews 
9 Reviews 
4 Reviews 