Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Lawrence KS 66044

How to Become an Electrician in Lawrence Kansas

Lawrence KS electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Lawrence KS. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of factors to consider. For example, many students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. After they have located a few that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the least expensive tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Lawrence KS

Lawrence KS electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Lawrence KS. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are brief summaries of the 3 most typical programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by Kansas technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are offered by Kansas junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer 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 accessible at some Kansas colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria

Lawrence KS electricians working on power lines Electricians in Lawrence KS can carry out a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about four to five years of prior experience is needed in order to take 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 method for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases entails 3 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Lawrence KS

attending electrician school online in Lawrence KS An option that you may have considered is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning might be a more accommodating option for students that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling costs from Lawrence KS are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Lawrence KS electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Lawrence KS region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The first 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Lawrence KS school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved 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 of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can result in 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 a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Lawrence KS students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Lawrence KS area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Lawrence KS electrical company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Lawrence home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor 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. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lawrence KS, verify that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lawrence KS?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Lawrence KS area.

Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence is the county seat of Douglas County and sixth largest city in Kansas. It is located in the northeastern sector of the state, next to Interstate 70, between the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 87,643.[9] Lawrence is a college town and the home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.

Lawrence was founded by the New England Emigrant Aid Company and was named for Amos Adams Lawrence who offered financial aid and support for the settlement.[10][11] Lawrence was central to the Bleeding Kansas era and was the site of the Wakarusa War (1855) the Sack of Lawrence (1856), and the Lawrence Massacre (1863).[12]

Lawrence began as a center of Kansas politics. However, its economy soon diversified into many industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and ultimately education, beginning with the founding of the University of Kansas in 1866, and later Haskell Indian Nations University in 1884.

The location could not be found.

Pick the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Lawrence KS

Selecting the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are examining 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 education should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every training program offers different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Lawrence KS.