Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Shafter CA 93263

How to Become an Electrician in Shafter California

Shafter CA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Shafter CA. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have identified several that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the only qualifications that need to be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Shafter CA

Shafter CA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Shafter CA. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most prevalent programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by California trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees require 2 years to complete and are provided by California junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain California 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 4 years be carried out before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements

Shafter CA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Shafter CA can carry out a vast array of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be obtained in various specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases entails three 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 crucial that the electrician tech school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Shafter CA

attending electrician school online in Shafter CA A possibility that you may have contemplated is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more accommodating choice for students that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting costs from Shafter CA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available online also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Shafter CA electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Shafter CA region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can 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 certain that the Shafter CA program and school are 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 receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some 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 considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Shafter CA graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship 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 referring relationships with Shafter CA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Shafter CA electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Shafter home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Shafter CA, verify that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Shafter CA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Shafter CA area.

Shafter, California

Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield.[8] The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census.

The city of Shafter began as a loading dock along the Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The community was named for General William Rufus Shafter who commanded US Forces in Cuba during the Spanish–American War.[8] Property was sold beginning in 1914 and the city incorporated in 1938.

Also of historical note, Shafter is home to Minter Field, which began operations in June 1941 and saw heavy use during World War II. Approximately 7,000 troops were stationed at the airstrip which hosted up to 600 prisoners of war as well. Today it is publicly owned and administered by the Minter Field Airport District and serves as an industrial center and airport for crop dusters and private aircraft. The Minter Field Museum is maintained on location as well.

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Choose the Right Electrician Tech School near Shafter CA

Choosing the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Shafter CA.