Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Meriden CT 06450

How to Become an Electrician in Meriden Connecticut

Meriden CT electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Meriden CT. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are so many variables to consider. For example, some students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have found some that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the only things that need to be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Meriden CT

Meriden CT electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Meriden CT. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Frequently these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most common programs available.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Connecticut vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are offered by Connecticut community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Connecticut institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria

Meriden CT electricians working on power lines Electricians in Meriden CT can perform a wide range of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician tech school that you select not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Training Classes Online in Meriden CT

attending electrician school online in Meriden CT A possibility that you might have contemplated is choosing an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Driving costs from Meriden CT are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Meriden CT electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Because there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Meriden CT area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are other variables that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the Meriden CT program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it 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 of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified 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 broader list of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ 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 assist Meriden CT graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Meriden CT area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Meriden CT electrical contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Meriden residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training 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 observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Meriden CT, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, 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 Meriden CT?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Meriden CT area.

Meriden, Connecticut

Meriden was originally a part of the neighboring town of Wallingford. It was granted a separate meetinghouse in 1727, became a town in 1806 with over 1000 residents, and incorporated as a city in 1867 with just under 9000 residents. It was once proposed as the Connecticut state capital.[4] It was named for the town of Meriden, West Midlands, England, near Birmingham. Popular myth also states that it is named after the Merry Den tavern that may have been located near present-day U.S. Route 5.[citation needed]

The grave of Winston Churchill's great-great-great maternal grandfather, Timothy Jerome, can be seen today at what is now called "Burying Ground 1720" (Google Maps: 41.522877, -72.787707) at the juncture of Dexter Avenue and Lydale Place. At the time the location was known as "Buckwheat Hill," and overlooked the salt-making estate for which Jerome had received a royal grant.[6] Timothy Jerome's son, Samuel, is the great-great grandfather of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's mother.[7][8]

In the 1800s, Meriden became a manufacturing center of note, with several companies forming, or relocating to the city, including the Meriden Britannia Company (a predecessor of the International Silver Company with corporate HQ in Meriden),[9] C.F. Monroe Company (1892–1916),[10]Charles Parker Company, Parker Brothers (guns), Manning, Bowman & Co. (1849–1945),[11][12] the Meriden Flint Glass Company (1876–92),[13]Edward Miller & Co / Miller Company (1844–present),[14] Wilcox and White, Handel Company (lamps),[15] and the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company (1852–1940). Meriden earned the nickname "Silver City", due to the large number of silver manufacturers. In addition to hollowware, Meriden was also a significant center of cutlery production (various silver companies, Meriden Cutlery and Miller Bros. Cutlery. The small city is also for the historical production of glass and lamps.[16] During this time, several mansions and houses of note were built, particularly on Broad Street.[17][18]

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Pick the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Meriden CT

Choosing the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are examining 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 needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Meriden CT.