How to Become an Electrician in Marion Kansas
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Marion KS. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are a number of variables to consider. For example, some prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have located several that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole things that must be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision 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 available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Marion KS
There are several ways to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Marion KS. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most typical programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Kansas technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to finish and are offered by Kansas junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Kansas institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Marion KS can perform a wide range of tasks, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about four to five years of experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be obtained in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Marion KS
An option that you may have contemplated is choosing an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to 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 rest of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning may be a more practical alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting costs from Marion KS are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Once you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Marion KS region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned 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 final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess before enrolling in an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Marion KS school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited in order 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 of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent 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 more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Marion KS students secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Marion KS area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding 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. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Marion KS electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Marion home. Remember 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 get 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 see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to some of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some 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 evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Marion KS, confirm that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Marion KS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Marion KS area.
Marion, Kansas
Marion is a city in, and the county seat of, Marion County, Kansas, United States.[1] It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox".[6] At the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927.[7]
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
Pick the Right Electrician Trade School near Marion KS
Choosing the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Every program provides different options for certification as well. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Marion KS.
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