How to Become an Electrician in La Junta Colorado
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near La Junta CO. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For example, some students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified several that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that should be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near La Junta CO
There are several approaches to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near La Junta CO. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Colorado technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require 2 years to complete and are offered by Colorado junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Colorado institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in La Junta CO can undertake a vast array of tasks, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be earned in several specialties, 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 agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in La Junta CO
An alternative that you may have looked at is choosing an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Travelling costs from La Junta CO are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed online also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the La Junta CO area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional variables that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical technical 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 pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the La Junta CO program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of 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 program. A low completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list 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 can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help La Junta CO students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with La Junta CO area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure 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 already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local La Junta CO electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your La Junta home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near La Junta CO, check that the programs you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out 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 La Junta CO?
Following is a little bit of background information about the La Junta CO area.
La Junta, Colorado
La Junta is the city that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Otero County, Colorado, United States.[7] The city population was 7,077 at the 2010 United States Census. La Junta is located on the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado east of Pueblo.
La Junta (Spanish for "the junction")[8] was named for the fact it rested at the intersection of the Santa Fe Trail and a pioneer road to Pueblo.[9] The town developed near Bent's Post, a fur trading post of the 19th century.
During World War II, La Junta had an Army Air Force Training Base outside town. An Air Force detachment of the Strategic Air Command remained there until modern flight simulators developed in the 1980s rendered live flight unnecessary for pilot training maneuvers. At least one military aircraft crashed close by during such training maneuvers.[10]
Pick the Ideal Electrical Tech School near La Junta CO
Choosing the right electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to 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 ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each program provides different options for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in La Junta CO.
Other Cool Cities in Colorado
Business Results 1 - 10 of 5
2 Reviews 