Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Des Moines IA 50301

How to Become an Electrician in Des Moines Iowa

Des Moines IA electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Des Moines IA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have identified several that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the only things that must be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when selecting an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are available.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Des Moines IA

Des Moines IA electrician re-wiring power outletThere are multiple options to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Des Moines IA. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most common programs available.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Iowa vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are provided by Iowa community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Iowa colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

Des Moines IA electricians working on power linesElectricians in Des Moines IA can carry out a wide range of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in several specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician tech school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Des Moines IA

attending electrician school online in Des Moines IAAn option that you may have contemplated is choosing an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more practical alternative for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Commuting expenses from Des Moines IA are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Des Moines IA electrician re-wiring circuit panelNow that you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Des Moines IA area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are other variables that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Des Moines IA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify 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 percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Des Moines IA grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous 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 contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Des Moines IA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already 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 Des Moines IA electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Des Moines residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one 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 big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Des Moines IA, verify that the programs you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make 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 because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Des Moines IA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Des Moines IA area.

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines (/dɪˈmɔɪn/ ( listen)) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County.[7] It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857.[8] It is on and named after the Des Moines River, which likely was adapted from the French colonial name, Rivière des Moines, meaning "River of the Monks". The city's population was 217,521 as of the 2017 population estimate.[9] The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 89th in terms of population in the United States with 634,725 residents according to the 2016 estimate by the United States Census Bureau.[10]

Des Moines is a major center of the U.S. insurance industry, and has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. The city was credited as the "number one spot for U.S. insurance companies" in a Business Wire article and named the third-largest "insurance capital" of the world. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, Ruan Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, Voya Financial, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, ACE Limited, Marsh, Monsanto, and DuPont Pioneer have large operations in or near the metropolitan area. In recent years, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, and Facebook[11][12] have built data-processing and logistical facilities in the Des Moines area. Forbes ranked Des Moines as the "Best Place for Business" in both 2010 and 2013.[13] In 2014, NBC ranked Des Moines as the "Wealthiest City in America" according to its criteria.[14]

Des Moines is an important city in U.S. presidential politics; as the state's capital, it is the site of the first caucuses of the presidential primary cycle. Many presidential candidates set up campaign headquarters in Des Moines. A 2007 article in The New York Times said, "If you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in the most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably no better place to go than Des Moines."[15]

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Select the Right Electrical Vocational School near Des Moines IA

Picking the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every training program provides different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you pick is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Des Moines IA.

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