Accredited Electrician Schools Madison WV

How to Pick the Best Electrician Tech School near Madison West Virginia

Madison WV electrician working on circuit boardThe initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Madison WV. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are a number of points to examine. For example, some students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified a few that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that should be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming 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 Programs

Madison WV electrician on power line poleThere are several ways to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Madison WV. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by West Virginia trade and technical schools and require about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are provided by West Virginia community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain West Virginia institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites

Madison WV electrician wiring boxElectricians in Madison WV can undertake a vast array of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be obtained in various specializations, 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 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 choose not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools

Madison WV student attending electrician school onlineA possibility that you might have contemplated is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning might be a more accommodating option for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting costs from Madison WV are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Questions to ask Madison WV electrician schoolsNow that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Madison WV area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research prior to choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician vocational schools have received 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 a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Madison WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also suggest that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may 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 an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Madison WV grads obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Madison WV area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Madison WV electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Madison residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can 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 difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Madison WV, verify that the programs you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Accredited Electrician Schools Madison West Virginia

Madison WV electricians working on power linesPicking the best electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Electrician Schools and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Trade Schools Near Me. But as we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Every program provides unique possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Madison WV.

More Electric Locations in West Virginia

  • Train To Become An Electrician Lesage WV
  • Electrician Trade School Cost Kanawha Head WV
  • Online Electrician Classes Camden WV
  • Online Courses Electrician Worthington WV
  • Electrical Training Courses Baker WV
  • Becoming An Electrician Gilbert WV
  • Electrical Training School Ireland WV
  • Electrical Trade Schools Harpers Ferry WV
  • Accredited Electrician Degree Programs Piedmont WV
  • Electrical Classes Raleigh WV
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

     

    Madison, West Virginia

    Madison was first established as Boone Court House. The town was renamed about 1865, presumably for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Other theories hold that it was named for lawyer James Madison Laidley or for Madison Peyton, a pioneer coal operator, who was a leader in the movement which resulted in the formation of Boone County and for whom Peytona on Big Coal River was also named. Madison was incorporated in 1906.[7]

    The first courthouse at Madison, a log structure, was burned by Union troops early in the American Civil War. The second courthouse, made of local brick, served until 1913, and a frame building was used by county officials for the next several years. The present Boone County Courthouse, occupied in 1921, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

    Madison is the "Gateway to the Coalfields," as it is located on a principal route through the southern coalfields. It occupied a strategic place during the Mine Wars. Miners twice rallied at the town ballpark in August 1921, to consider whether to continue their march to neighboring Logan and Mingo counties. Thousands of armed marchers passed through the town and surrounding region on their way to and from the fighting at Blair Mountain, which is located up Spruce Fork from Madison.[7]

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 11

    Best Electric
    3 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    3114 7th Ave, Charleston, WV 25387

    Damron Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Lighting Fixtures & Equipment, Generator Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    Tornado, WV 25202

    Dunlap Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    818 Adrian Rd, Charleston, WV 25314

    Mullins Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    Saint Albans, WV 25177

    Absten & Sons
    2 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    13465 Winfield Rd, Winfield, WV 25213

    Al Marino
    3 Reviews
    Electricians, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1653 4th Ave, Charleston, WV 25387

    Quinn Electrical Services
    3 Reviews
    Electricians, Pool & Hot Tub Service, Lighting Fixtures & Equipment
    Phone:
    Charleston, WV 25301

    Bossie Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    523 Slack St, Charleston, WV 25301

    Jerry Hilbert
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians
    Phone:
    2350 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston, WV 25302

    Lloyd's Electronics
    1 Reviews
    Electricians
    Phone:
    2100 7th Ave, Charleston, WV 25312