How to Become an Electrician in Bowling Green Kentucky
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Bowling Green KY. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are a number of variables to evaluate. For example, many prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified some that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole things that need to be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Bowling Green KY
There are several options to get electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Bowling Green KY. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Kentucky vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are offered by Kentucky junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Kentucky institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Bowling Green KY can carry out a wide range of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess 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 identify her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be acquired in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Bowling Green KY
An option that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating alternative for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Bowling Green KY are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Bowling Green KY region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have earned 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 a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Bowling Green KY school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It may also mean that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use 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 also that it has the network of contacts to help Bowling Green KY grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician trade 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 inside their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Bowling Green KY area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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 technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Bowling Green KY electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Bowling Green home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bowling Green KY, verify that the schools you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Bowling Green KY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Bowling Green KY area.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States.[2] As of 2017, its population of 67,067 made it the third most-populous city in the state after Louisville and Lexington; its metropolitan area had an estimated population of 165,732; and the combined statistical area it shares with Glasgow has an estimated population of 218,870.[3][4][5]
Founded by pioneers in 1798, Bowling Green was the provisional capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War. The city was the subject of the 1967 Everly Brothers song "Bowling Green".
In the 21st century, it is the location of numerous manufacturers, including General Motors and Fruit of the Loom. The Bowling Green Assembly Plant has been the source of all Chevrolet Corvettes built since 1981. Bowling Green is also home to the state's second-largest public university, Western Kentucky University. In 2014, Forbes magazine listed Bowling Green as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Retire in the United States.[6]
Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Bowling Green KY
Choosing the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the training program should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Every program provides different options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak 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 school you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Bowling Green KY.
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