How to Become an Electrician in Strasburg Illinois
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Strasburg IL. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many variables to evaluate. For instance, many prospective students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole factors that need to be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when choosing 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 educational choices that are offered.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Strasburg IL
There are three general approaches to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Strasburg IL. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three options. In many cases these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Illinois technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are offered by Illinois junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Illinois colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Strasburg IL can undertake a vast array of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be earned in several specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails three levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in Strasburg IL
An option that you might have considered is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more practical choice for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Strasburg IL are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available online as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Strasburg IL area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first two 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 a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Strasburg IL program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify 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 finish the course. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Strasburg IL grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Strasburg IL area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date 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 with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Strasburg IL electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Strasburg residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized 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 observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Strasburg IL, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Strasburg IL?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Strasburg IL area.
Strasburg, Illinois
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 603 people, 208 households, and 139 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,141.9 people per square mile (439.3/km²). There were 222 housing units at an average density of 420.4 per square mile (161.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.17% of the population.
There were 208 households out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the village, the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.
Find the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Strasburg IL
Picking the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Strasburg IL.
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