Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Newark DE 19702

How to Become an Electrician in Newark Delaware

Newark DE electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Newark DE. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are so many factors to examine. For instance, many prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have located several that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only qualifications that should be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Newark DE

Newark DE electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Newark DE. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the 3 most common programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Delaware technical and trade schools and require about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees require 2 years to finish and are offered by Delaware junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Delaware colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites

Newark DE electricians working on power lines Electricians in Newark DE can undertake a wide range of functions, such as 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 states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be acquired in numerous specializations, 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 agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Newark DE

attending electrician school online in Newark DE An option that you may have considered is selecting an online electrician program 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 instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning might be a more convenient choice for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving costs from Newark DE are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Newark DE electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Newark DE area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And even though 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 qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Newark DE school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing 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 signify that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may produce 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 a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Newark DE grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Newark DE area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm 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 concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Newark DE electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Newark residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications 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 attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Newark DE, confirm that the programs you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Newark DE?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Newark DE area.

Newark, Delaware

Newark (/ˈnuːɑːrk/ NEW-ark)[note 1] is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located 12 miles (19 km) west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454.[4] Newark is home to the University of Delaware.

Schools have played a significant role in the history of Newark. A grammar school, founded by Francis Alison in 1743, moved from New London, Pennsylvania to Newark in 1765, becoming the Newark Academy. Among the first graduates of the school were three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Read, Thomas McKean, and James Smith. Two of which, Read and McKean, went on to have schools named after them in the state of Delaware: George Read Middle School[5] and Thomas McKean High School.

During the American Revolutionary War, British and American forces clashed outside Newark at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge. Tradition holds that the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the first instance of the Stars and Stripes being flown in battle.[6]

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Pick the Right Electrical Vocational School near Newark DE

Choosing the right electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides different options for certification as well. Probably The ideal approach to research your short 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. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Newark DE.