Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Lincoln IL 62656

How to Become an Electrician in Lincoln Illinois

Lincoln IL electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Lincoln IL. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For example, some prospective students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have located some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Lincoln IL

Lincoln IL electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general ways to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Lincoln IL. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs available.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by Illinois trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards those who want to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs involve two years to finish and are provided by Illinois community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Illinois institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites

Lincoln IL electricians working on power linesElectricians in Lincoln IL can perform a wide range of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around four to five years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Schools Online in Lincoln IL

attending electrician school online in Lincoln ILAn option that you may have contemplated is choosing an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning may be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Lincoln IL are also reduced and some of the study materials may be accessed online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Lincoln IL electrician re-wiring circuit panelNow that you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Lincoln IL region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The first two that we discussed 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 chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation.  A large number of electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Lincoln IL school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course 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 indicate that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Lincoln IL students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most electrician training programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Lincoln IL area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Lincoln IL electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Lincoln home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Lincoln IL, confirm that the programs you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lincoln IL?

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

Lincoln, Illinois

Lincoln is a city in Logan County, Illinois, United States. It is the only town in the United States that was named for and by Abraham Lincoln before he became president; he practiced law there from 1847 to 1859. First settled in the 1830s, Lincoln is home to three colleges and two prisons. The three colleges are Lincoln College, Lincoln Christian University, and Heartland Community College. It is also the home of the world's largest covered wagon.

The town was officially named on August 29, 1853, in an unusual ceremony. Abraham Lincoln, having assisted with the platting of the town and working as counsel for the newly laid railroad which led to its founding, was asked to participate in a naming ceremony for the town. On this date, the first sale of lots took place in the new town. Ninety were sold at prices ranging from $40 to $150. According to tradition Lincoln was present. At noon he purchased two watermelons and carried one under each arm to public square. There he invited Latham, Hickox, and Gillette, proprietors, to join him, saying, "Now we'll christen the new town.", squeezing watermelon juice out on the ground.[5] Legend has it that when it had been proposed to him that the town be named for him, he had advised against it, saying that in his experience, "Nothing bearing the name of Lincoln ever amounted to much." The town of Lincoln was the first city named after Abraham Lincoln, while he was a lawyer and before he was President of the United States.[6][7]

Lincoln College (chartered Lincoln University), a private four-year liberal arts college, was founded in early 1865 and granted 2 year degrees until 1929. News of the establishment and name of the school was communicated to President Lincoln shortly before his death, making Lincoln the only college to be named after Lincoln while he was living. The College has an excellent collection of Abraham Lincoln–related documents and artifacts, housed in a museum which is open to the general public.

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Select the Right Electrician Vocational School near Lincoln IL

Choosing the ideal electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program offers different possibilities for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Invest some time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Lincoln IL.

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