Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Putnam CT 06260

How to Become an Electrician in Putnam Connecticut

Putnam CT electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Putnam CT. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are so many points to consider. For instance, many potential students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their home. When they have located several that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the sole factors that should be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Putnam CT

Putnam CT electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple options to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Putnam CT. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Connecticut trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Connecticut community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Connecticut colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Putnam CT electricians working on power lines Electricians in Putnam CT can undertake a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be earned in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves three 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in Putnam CT

attending electrician school online in Putnam CT A possibility that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Travelling expenses from Putnam CT are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Putnam CT electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Putnam CT area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze before choosing an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Putnam CT school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some 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 reviewing 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 suggest that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also mean that the teachers were not competent 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 directory of graduates, which can result in 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 assist Putnam CT grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Putnam CT area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Putnam CT electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Putnam home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training 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 experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to some of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Putnam CT, check that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Putnam CT?

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

Putnam, Connecticut

Putnam, originally known as Aspinock, then part of Killingly, is a New England mill town incorporated in 1855. Created from sections of Killingly, Pomfret, and Thompson, the town was named in honor of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam.[1]

Putnam was a key contributor in providing clothing and other goods to the Civil War soldiers. There were numerous mills and a train ran through the town, providing transportation for the goods being produced.

On August 19, 1955, Putnam was devastated by floods from torrential downpours caused by two hurricanes, which hit Connecticut within the span of a week. Hurricane Connie affected Connecticut on August 13, dropping between four and six inches (152 mm) of rain across the state. Hurricane Diane soaked the state with 14 inches (360 mm) of rain on August 18–19. The result was flooding in many of the state's rivers, including the Quinebaug River. The resulting torrent of water destroyed homes, businesses and factories. Floating magnesium barrels burst, lighting up the night. The railroad bed was washed away.

The location could not be found.

Enroll in the Right Electrician Tech School near Putnam CT

Choosing the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification also. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Putnam CT.