Tag Archives: How to Become an Electrician in Shinnston WV 26431

Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Shinnston WV 26431

How to Become an Electrician in Shinnston West Virginia

Shinnston WV electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Shinnston WV. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, many prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have located some that are within driving range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important, they are not the sole things that need to be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Shinnston WV

Shinnston WV electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general approaches to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Shinnston WV. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are short explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs available.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by West Virginia vocational and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are offered by West Virginia community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain West Virginia colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines

Shinnston WV electricians working on power linesElectricians in Shinnston WV can carry out a wide range of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Shinnston WV

attending electrician school online in Shinnston WVA possibility that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning may be a more practical choice for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit many online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Shinnston WV are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Shinnston WV electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your school options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Shinnston WV area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that must 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 vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Shinnston WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get an excellent education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician training programs you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It may also signify that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Shinnston WV graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Shinnston WV area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Shinnston WV electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Shinnston residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to some of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out 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 evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Shinnston WV, verify that the schools you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Shinnston WV?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Shinnston WV area.

Shinnston, West Virginia

Shinnston is a city and former coal town in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, along the West Fork River. In 1778 Levi Shinn constructed his log home along what is now Route 19; today it is the oldest standing structure in north-central West Virginia.[6] As of the 2010 census, Shinnston had a population of 2,201.[7]

The roots of Shinnston date back to 1778, when Levi Shinn constructed his log home. The log house, located along Route 19, is the oldest standing structure in North Central West Virginia. It is maintained by the Shinnston Historical Association, which opens the home for tours by the general public.

In 1815, the town was laid out with three streets, running parallel with the river, and with four crossing streets running at right angles to them. The town was incorporated in 1852 as Shinn's Town by an act of the Virginia legislature, as West Virginia did not yet exist as an independent state. Solomon S. Fleming was elected as the first mayor.

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Pick the Right Electrical Trade School near Shinnston WV

Picking the best electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the training program 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 determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Shinnston WV.

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