How to Become an Electrician in Charleston Maine
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Charleston ME. But with so many technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many factors to examine. For instance, many potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. After they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only factors that need to be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should influence your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Charleston ME
There are multiple options to obtain electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Charleston ME. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often 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 short descriptions of the three most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Maine trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require 2 years to finish and are provided by Maine community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Maine institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Charleston ME can carry out a vast array of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be acquired in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 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 tech school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Schools Online in Charleston ME
An alternative that you might have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Commuting expenses from Charleston ME are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available on line as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Charleston ME area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Many electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Charleston 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 ensure that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It could also mean 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 broader list 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 affirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Charleston ME students obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Charleston ME area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Charleston ME electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Charleston residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger 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 students and teachers. Talk to several of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
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 go to classes at night or on weekends near Charleston ME, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Charleston ME?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Charleston ME area.
Charleston, Maine
Charleston is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,409 at the 2010 census.[4] Charleston includes the village of West Charleston and is home to the Higgins Classical Institute, a Christian school.
Charleston was first settled as early as 1795 by Charles Vaughan. The land was granted on July 14, 1802, by the Massachusetts General Court to John Lowell. Known as T2 R5 NWP, or Township 2, Range 4, North of the Waldo Patent, it was incorporated on February 16, 1811, as New Charlestown, to distinguish it from Charlestown, Massachusetts, when that state included the province of Maine. But in 1820, Maine achieved statehood, so any confusion between the two ceased. Consequently, in 1827 the name was shortened to Charleston.
Sawmills were established to operate by water power at the streams. But Charleston was primarily an agricultural town. Its large farms were noted for raising horses and cattle. In 1837, the Higgins Classical Institute was founded. By 1870, the community had a population of 1,191. Between 1901 and 1930, the Bangor Railway & Electric Company operated trolleys on an electric railway between Bangor and Charleston.
Select the Right Electrical Technical School near Charleston ME
Selecting the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal way to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you select 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 Charleston ME.
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