How to Select the Right Electrician Tech School near Hookstown Pennsylvania
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Hookstown PA. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of points to consider. For instance, many prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have located some that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the sole qualifications that should 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 choosing an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options
There are several ways to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Hookstown PA. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are short summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally provided by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Pennsylvania colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Hookstown PA can perform a multitude of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails three 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you pick not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs
An option that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Hookstown PA are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Once you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Hookstown PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial two that we discussed 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 selection, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze before selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Hookstown PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can 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 a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Hookstown PA students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Hookstown PA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies 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 on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Hookstown PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Hookstown home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger 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 instructors and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Hookstown PA, verify that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Education Required To Be An Electrician Hookstown Pennsylvania
Selecting the ideal electrician 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 Education Required To Be An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrical Trade Schools. But as we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum 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 determine what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each training program provides different options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Hookstown PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Hookstown is named after Matthias Hook,[4] early pioneer and Revolutionary War soldier, and his family. The only known surviving relatives are the McCormick family, who still reside in Hookstown and surrounding areas in western Pennsylvania.
Through his daughter Catherine Hook who married George Griffey there are many who can trace their roots back to Mathias living throughout the country. There has been a Griffey reunion held annually for more than a hundred years every June in West Springfield, PA.
Hookstown is located in western Beaver County at 40°35′56″N 80°28′27″W / 40.59889°N 80.47417°W / 40.59889; -80.47417 (40.598869, -80.474150).[5]Pennsylvania Route 168 runs through the community, leading northeast 3 miles (5 km) to the Ohio River borough of Shippingport and south 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to U.S. Route 30, the Lincoln Highway.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 38
1 Reviews 
6 Reviews 1 Reviews 1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
4 Reviews 