Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Westmont IL 60559

How to Become an Electrician in Westmont Illinois

Westmont IL electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Westmont IL. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of factors to consider. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified several that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant, 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 qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when selecting an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are available.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Westmont IL

Westmont IL electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Westmont IL. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally provided by Illinois technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are offered by Illinois junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Illinois colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Guidelines

Westmont IL electricians working on power lines Electricians in Westmont IL can undertake a multitude of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be obtained in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails 3 levels of proficiency:

An experience requirement
Passing a written exam
Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Programs in Westmont IL

attending electrician school online in Westmont IL A possibility that you might have considered is choosing an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning might be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Driving costs from Westmont IL are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available online as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Westmont IL electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Westmont IL area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are additional variables that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the Westmont IL school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many 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 of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent 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 more extensive list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Westmont IL grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Westmont IL area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on 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 equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. 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. Otherwise, ask a local Westmont IL electrical contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Westmont residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized 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 observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions 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 programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Westmont IL, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Westmont IL?

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

Westmont, Illinois

Westmont is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. Westmont is a community of 5.03 square miles in area. Westmont had a 2000 population of 24,554, a partial special census was conducted 2007 resulting in a population of 26,211, and the census of 2010 put the population at 24,685. It is located approximately 18 miles (29 km) west of the Chicago Loop in the southeastern portion of DuPage County.[5]

The area known as Westmont was inhabited by the Potawatami until the year 1833. After several failed attempts by the U.S. government to persuade the Native Americans to move from the area, in 1833, the Native Americans agreed under coercion to vacate their land for nominal payment.[6]

The development of the Illinois-Michigan Canal, authorized by the State of Illinois in the 1820s but delayed in construction until the 1830s, contributed to Westmont's early growth.[6] When the economic Panic of 1837 halted canal construction, many of the workers turned to farming, and agriculture became the major occupation, with produce sold in nearby Chicago. The area around Westmont became one of the most prosperous sections of the state.

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Find the Ideal Electrical Technical School near Westmont IL

Choosing the ideal electrical training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal way to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak 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 training program you select is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Westmont IL.