How to Select the Right Electrician Tech School near Squire West Virginia
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Squire WV. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are a number of points to examine. For instance, many prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the only factors that need to be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final decision when selecting 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 becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.
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Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs
There are multiple options to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Squire WV. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by West Virginia trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to finish and are offered by West Virginia junior or community colleges, commonly 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 mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain West Virginia colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Squire WV can perform a multitude of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring 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 period of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails three 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online
An option that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning may be a more practical choice for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting expenses from Squire WV are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Squire WV region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Squire WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved 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 complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to employ 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 Squire WV grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Squire WV area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional 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 with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Squire WV electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Squire residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized 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 see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Squire WV, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Education For Electrician Squire West Virginia
Selecting the ideal electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Education For Electrician and wanting more information on the topic I Want To Become An Electrician. But as we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program offers different options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Invest some time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Squire WV.
More Electric Locations in West Virginia
Squire, West Virginia
Squire is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Squire is located on West Virginia Route 16 6.5 miles (10.5 km) southeast of War. Squire has a post office with ZIP code 24884.[2]
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