How to Pick the Right Electrician Tech School near Gilbert West Virginia
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Gilbert WV. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are a number of points to examine. For instance, many potential students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole things that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in greater 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 Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options
There are three general ways to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Gilbert WV. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are short summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by West Virginia trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are provided by West Virginia community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some West Virginia institutions, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Gilbert WV can carry out a vast array of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be acquired in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 3 levels of competency:
- 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 vocational school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online
An option that you may have looked at is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving costs from Gilbert WV are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Gilbert WV area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first two that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Gilbert WV school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate may indicate that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It could also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to instruct 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 produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Gilbert WV graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Gilbert WV area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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 tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Gilbert WV electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Gilbert home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to some of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Gilbert WV, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Becoming An Electrician Gilbert West Virginia
Picking the best electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Becoming An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Trade School Cost. But as we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each program offers different options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Gilbert WV.
More Electric Locations in West Virginia
Gilbert, West Virginia
Gilbert is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States, along the Guyandotte River. The population was 450 at the 2010 census. Gilbert was incorporated in 1918 and named for Gilbert Creek, which derives its name from the name of an early traveler in the area who was killed by Native Americans. Gilbert is known nationwide for the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trails that are located in the area. There are a number of lodges and restaurants in Gilbert.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 450 people, 212 households, and 137 families residing in the town. The population density was 454.5 inhabitants per square mile (175.5/km2). There were 262 housing units at an average density of 264.6 per square mile (102.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.1% White, 0.2% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races.
There were 212 households of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.64.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
