Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Big Rapids MI 49307

How to Become an Electrician in Big Rapids Michigan

Big Rapids MI electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Big Rapids MI. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are so many variables to consider. For instance, many students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have located some that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are significant, they are not the sole things that need to be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Big Rapids MI

Big Rapids MI electrician re-wiring power outletThere are several options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Big Rapids MI. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are short summaries of the three most common programs available.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Michigan technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are offered by Michigan junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Michigan institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Big Rapids MI electricians working on power linesElectricians in Big Rapids MI can undertake a multitude of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around four to five years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly test 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 distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be earned in several specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases entails 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Big Rapids MI

attending electrician school online in Big Rapids MIAn option that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning can be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling costs from Big Rapids MI are also lessened and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Big Rapids MI electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Big Rapids MI region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important 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 before choosing an electrical tech school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Big Rapids MI 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 guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician training programs you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Big Rapids MI students acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Big Rapids MI area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Big Rapids MI electrical contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Big Rapids home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

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 attend classes at night or on weekends near Big Rapids MI, check that the programs you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Big Rapids MI?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Big Rapids MI area.

Big Rapids, Michigan

Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,601 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Mecosta County.[6] The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent. Big Rapids is home of the main campus of Ferris State University, a four-year public university, well known for its College of Pharmacy and the Michigan College of Optometry, as well as its NCAA Division I hockey team, the Bulldogs.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.48 square miles (11.60 km2), of which 4.36 square miles (11.29 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.[1] Like most of the central Michigan area, it lies on the ancient sea bed and has a sandy subsoil which lies above an iron ore base. The Muskegon River runs through Big Rapids, passing both Ferris State University and the local middle school on its way to Lake Michigan. Numerous small lakes are within a few miles of the city.

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 10,601 people, 3,330 households, and 1,323 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,431.4 inhabitants per square mile (938.8/km2). There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of 831.0 per square mile (320.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 6.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

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Pick the Right Electrician Trade School near Big Rapids MI

Choosing the ideal electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the 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 proper training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Big Rapids MI.

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