How to Become an Electrician in Bennington Kansas
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Bennington KS. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many points to examine. For instance, many potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. After they have found several that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only qualifications that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are offered.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Bennington KS
There are three general ways to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Bennington KS. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Kansas technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve two years to finish and are provided by Kansas community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Kansas colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be completed before licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Bennington KS can undertake a wide range of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves three 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Bennington KS
An alternative that you might have contemplated is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs have become more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Driving expenses from Bennington KS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Now that you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Bennington KS area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Bennington KS school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training course 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also signify that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher 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 utilize 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Bennington KS grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Bennington KS area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Bennington KS electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Bennington residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bennington KS, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Bennington KS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Bennington KS area.
Bennington, Kansas
Bennington was platted in 1878 and grew to a population of over 200 within three years.[11] The city name comes from one of two sources. A paper written on the history of Bennington states that Bennington is an Indian name meaning "place of fine trees." The same article also states that co-city founder George R. Parker gave the town its name after Bennington, Vermont.[12] The Solomon Valley Railroad, a branch of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, reached Bennington in 1878.[11]
In 1879, the first school was located one half mile south of town. In 1918, a new school house was built. In 1938, an auditorium was added; in 1955 a shop was added; and in 1961 a new grade school building was annexed.[11]
Bennington is located at 39°1′59″N 97°35′35″W / 39.03306°N 97.59306°W / 39.03306; -97.59306 (39.033174, -97.593030).[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.42 square miles (1.09 km2), all of it land.[3]
Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Bennington KS
Picking the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current 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 degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program provides different options for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Bennington KS.
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