How to Become an Electrician in Lee Florida
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Lee FL. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many points to examine. For instance, many students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have found some that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the sole qualifications that need to be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when selecting an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Lee FL
There are three general options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Lee FL. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are short summaries of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by Florida trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are offered by Florida junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Florida institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Therefore, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Lee FL can perform a wide range of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure 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 municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Schools Online in Lee FL
An option that you may have contemplated is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient option for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving expenses from Lee FL are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Lee FL region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to analyze before selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Lee FL school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to be approved 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 percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It might also mean that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may produce 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 help Lee FL grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Lee FL area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed 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, check with the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Lee FL electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Lee home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Lee FL, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lee FL?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Lee FL area.
Lee, Florida
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 352 people, 130 households, and 92 families residing in the town. The population density was 287.8 people per square mile (111.4/km²). There were 154 housing units at an average density of 125.9 per square mile (48.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.45% White, 2.84% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.28% Asian, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.
There were 130 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town, the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.
Pick the Right Electrical Vocational School near Lee FL
Selecting the best electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are many things that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Lee FL.
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