Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Highwood IL 60040

How to Become an Electrician in Highwood Illinois

Highwood IL electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Highwood IL. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many variables to evaluate. For instance, many students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have found some that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the sole qualifications that must be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Highwood IL

Highwood IL electrician re-wiring power outletThere are several options to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Highwood IL. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Bellow are short summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Illinois trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to complete and are provided by Illinois junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Illinois institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Guidelines

Highwood IL electricians working on power linesElectricians in Highwood IL can perform a vast array of duties, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically about four to five years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be acquired in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 3 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you choose not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in Highwood IL

attending electrician school online in Highwood ILA possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more practical alternative for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Driving costs from Highwood IL are also minimized and some of the study materials may be available on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Highwood IL electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Highwood IL area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.

Accreditation.  A large number of electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Highwood IL school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician training programs you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may mean 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 a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Highwood IL graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Highwood IL area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Highwood IL electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Highwood residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm 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 Highwood IL, check that the programs you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Highwood IL?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Highwood IL area.

Highwood, Illinois

Originally, the land was owned by the Potawatomi until the 1833 when it was ceded to the United States through the Treaty of Chicago.[5] The first non-Native American settled in the town in 1846. In 1851 Highwood became the headquarter location of the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, which ran parallel to the Chicago and North Western Railway's and is now know today as Metra's Union Pacific/North line. Thomas Curley suggested the name High Woods because the land was the highest ground between Chicago and Milwaukee and was covered with trees.

In 1886 civil and labor unrest in Chicago eventually led to the Haymarket Riot. Chicago businessmen felt that having a military presence near the city would help alleviate tensions within the city and on November 8, 1887 purchased Camp Highwood. This land would come to host members of the Sixth Infantry Regiment. On February 27, 1888 Camp Highwood was officially named Fort Sheridan in honor of General Philip Sheridan for his ability to maintain order after the Chicago Fire of 1871.

Highwood provided several business and employment opportunities and following the fire, many of those who lost their home and a wave of immigrants settled into the town. Highwood can also give credit to much of their economic success to the Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railway. However, with increased transportation it also caused a sudden rise in gambling dens and illegal "blind-pig" taverns which catered to off duty soldiers. This eventually provoked federal authorities to enact the "Highwood Quadrangle" which prohibited the sale of liquor within 1 1/8th miles of the army base.

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Enroll in the Right Electrician Technical School near Highwood IL

Selecting the best electrical training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you pick is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Highwood IL.

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