Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Harwood MD 20776

How to Become an Electrician in Harwood Maryland

Harwood MD electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Harwood MD. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to examine. For example, some prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified several that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final judgment when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are available.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Harwood MD

Harwood MD electrician re-wiring power outletThere are multiple ways to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Harwood MD. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the 3 most common programs offered.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Maryland technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are offered by Maryland junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Maryland colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Guidelines

Harwood MD electricians working on power linesElectricians in Harwood MD can carry out a multitude of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around four to five years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes three levels of proficiency:

  • 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 important that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Harwood MD

attending electrician school online in Harwood MDAn option that you might have contemplated is choosing an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning might be a more convenient choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Commuting costs from Harwood MD are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available online as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Harwood MD electrician re-wiring circuit panelNow that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Harwood MD region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned 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 final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Harwood MD school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also mean that the instructors were not qualified to instruct 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 may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Harwood MD grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Harwood MD area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Harwood MD electrical contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Harwood home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Harwood MD, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, 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 Harwood MD?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Harwood MD area.

Harwood, Maryland

The location could not be found.

Find the Right Electrical Vocational School near Harwood MD

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are examining includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you choose is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Harwood MD.

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