How to Become an Electrician in Statesboro Georgia
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Statesboro GA. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, some students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have found several that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the sole factors that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when selecting an electrician 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 educational choices that are available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Statesboro GA
There are three general ways to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Statesboro GA. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the three most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Georgia vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are provided by Georgia junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Georgia institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be completed before licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Statesboro GA can perform a multitude of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade 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 may be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Statesboro GA
An option that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs have become more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling costs from Statesboro GA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Statesboro GA region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before choosing an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Statesboro GA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It could also signify that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Statesboro GA students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Statesboro GA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Statesboro GA electrical contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Statesboro residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Statesboro GA, confirm that the programs you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Statesboro GA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Statesboro GA area.
Statesboro, Georgia
A college town, Statesboro is home to the flagship campus of Georgia Southern University and is part of the Savannah–Hinesville–Statesboro Combined Statistical Area. [6] As of 2016, the Statesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Bulloch County, had an estimated population of 74,722.[7] The city had an estimated 2016 population of 31,419.[8] Statesboro is the largest Micropolitan Statistical Area in Georgia. It is largest city in the Magnolia Midlands Region.
The city was chartered in 1803, starting as a small trading community providing the basic essentials for surrounding cotton plantations. This drove the economy throughout the 19th century, both before and after the U.S. Civil War.
In 2017, Statesboro was selected in the top 3 of the national America's Best Communities competition and was named one of nine Georgia "live, work, play" cities by the Georgia Municipal Association.[10][11]
Pick the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Statesboro GA
Picking the best electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you choose is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Statesboro GA.
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