How to Become an Electrician in Brownfield Maine
The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Brownfield ME. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of variables to evaluate. For example, many potential students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the only qualifications that need to be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are available.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Brownfield ME
There are three general options to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Brownfield ME. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most prevalent programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Maine technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are offered by Maine junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Maine colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Brownfield ME can carry out a vast array of services, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Training Classes in Brownfield ME
An option that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Brownfield ME are also reduced and some of the study materials may be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Brownfield ME area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess before enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Brownfield ME school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Brownfield ME graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Brownfield ME area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Brownfield ME electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Brownfield home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Brownfield ME, check that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Brownfield ME?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Brownfield ME area.
Brownfield, Maine
The area was once territory of the Pequawket Abenaki Indians, whose main village was located at what is today Fryeburg. It was granted on January 23, 1764 by the Massachusetts General Court to Captain Henry Young Brown for his services in the French and Indian Wars. Settlement began about 1765. Brown was required to settle 38 families by June 10, 1770, with a minister recruited by 3 years after that. Unfortunately, a portion of the original grant was found to lie in New Hampshire.[4]
Replacement land in Maine was granted to Brown on June 25, 1766. It was called Brownfield Addition, one part of which now lies within Hiram and Denmark. The township was first organized as Brownfield Plantation, named in honor of its principal proprietor. On February 20, 1802, it was incorporated as Brownfield. By the War of 1812, it had nearly 900 residents.[4]
Farming was the chief occupation, with the Saco River providing water power for industry. Products of the mills included flour, long lumber, barrel staves, rocking chairs, clothing, carriages, sleighs and harness. After the Civil War, the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad passed through the town, following the general course of the river.[5]
Select the Ideal Electrical Tech School near Brownfield ME
Picking the best electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Every training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you choose is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Brownfield ME.
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