Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Freeport MI 49325

How to Become an Electrician in Freeport Michigan

Freeport MI electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Freeport MI. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, many students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have found some that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the sole factors that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your final decision when selecting an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Freeport MI

Freeport MI electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Freeport MI. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Michigan technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards those who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are provided by Michigan junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Michigan colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

Freeport MI electricians working on power lines Electricians in Freeport MI can undertake a vast array of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about four to five years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 3 levels of competency:

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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Freeport MI

attending electrician school online in Freeport MI An alternative that you might have looked at is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more accommodating option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Driving costs from Freeport MI are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Freeport MI electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Freeport MI area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are additional variables that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Freeport MI school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also mean that the teachers 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 broader list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Freeport MI graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician vocational programs are taught along 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 electrical businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Freeport MI area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Freeport MI electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Freeport home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Freeport MI, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Freeport MI?

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

Freeport-McMoRan

Freeport is the largest producer of molybdenum, and second largest producer of copper, in the world.[1] In 2015, 67% of its revenues were from the sale of copper, 11% from the sale of petroleum, 10% from the sale of gold, and 5% from the sale of molybdenum.[1] In 2015, sales to Phillips 66 accounted for 7% of the total revenues of the company.[1]

Freeport Cobalt holds a 100% interest in Kisanfu, a copper and cobalt exploration project located near Tenke. This subsidiary also owns a large cobalt refinery in Kokkola, Finland, along with a related sales and marketing business. FCX has an effective 56% of that enterprise. Negotiations in 2016 to include these cobalt projects in a sale to China Molybdenum of Tenke Fungurume Mine--a cobalt/copper mine in DRC Congo--in did not bear fruit.[3][4]

Freeport Sulphur Company was founded July 12, 1912 by the eldest son of Svante Magnus "E.M." Swenson, banker Eric Pierson Swenson, with a group of investors, to develop sulfur mining along the US Gulf Coast.[6]Freeport, Texas was also established in 1912 to house workers.[7]

The location could not be found.

Find the Right Electrical Vocational School near Freeport MI

Picking the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Each training program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Freeport MI.