Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Portage MI 49002

How to Become an Electrician in Portage Michigan

Portage MI electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Portage MI. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are a number of points to examine. For instance, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole factors that need to be examined. Also important 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 discuss 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 options that are offered.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Portage MI

Portage MI electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general options to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Portage MI. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Michigan trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees involve 2 years to finish 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 previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Michigan colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

Portage MI electricians working on power lines Electricians in Portage MI can undertake a vast array of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be obtained in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of competency:

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 crucial that the electrician trade school that you choose not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Portage MI

attending electrician school online in Portage MI An alternative that you may have looked at is choosing an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning may be a more practical option for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving expenses from Portage MI are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed on line also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Portage MI electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Portage MI region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Many electrician vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Portage MI school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing 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 could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to use 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 trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Portage MI graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Portage MI area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Portage MI electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Portage residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Portage MI, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Portage MI?

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

Portage, Michigan

Portage is a city in Kalamazoo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 46,292 in the 2010 census. It is the smaller of the two main cities included in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 326,589 as of 2010.[6]

There are two public high schools in Portage, Portage Central and Portage Northern. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer also has manufacturing operations located there, which in recent years has caused much controversy due to layoffs. Stryker Corporation also has a large manufacturing presence in the city and is a worldwide leader in medical equipment, instruments and imaging technologies. Portage is also home to FEMA Corporation, a growing hydraulic valve manufacturing company.

Portage is known for its extensive network of historical parks and trails used for cycling, walking, canoeing, and other recreational activities. Since the creation of the Portage Bikeway system in 1989, the trails have expanded to over 50 miles (80 km), over five times as long as the city’s expressways. Portage is also home to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

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Select the Right Electrician Technical School near Portage MI

Picking the best electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Portage MI.