How to Become an Electrician in Aberdeen Mississippi
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Aberdeen MS. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, many students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. When they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the only things that need to be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are accessible.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Aberdeen MS
There are three general options to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Aberdeen MS. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Mississippi vocational and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are offered by Mississippi community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Mississippi colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Aberdeen MS can undertake a wide range of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about four to five years of experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly assess electrical theory and general knowledge, 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 vary by state and may be acquired in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails three 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 academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online in Aberdeen MS
An alternative that you might have contemplated is choosing an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving expenses from Aberdeen MS are also lessened and some of the study materials can be accessed online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Aberdeen MS region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before enrolling in an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Aberdeen MS school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states mandate 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Aberdeen MS grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Aberdeen MS area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm 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, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Aberdeen MS electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Aberdeen residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Aberdeen MS, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Aberdeen MS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Aberdeen MS area.
Aberdeen, Mississippi
Located on the banks of the Tombigbee River, Aberdeen was one of the busiest Mississippi ports of the 19th century. Cotton was heavily traded in town, and for a time Aberdeen was Mississippi's second largest city. Today Aberdeen retains many historic structures from this period, with over 200 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. In the spring of each year, Aberdeen hosts pilgrimages to its historic antebellum homes. The most prominent of these antebellum homes is The Magnolias, which was built in 1850.
East Aberdeen is located at 33°49′18″N 88°30′59″W / 33.82167°N 88.51639°W / 33.82167; -88.51639 (East Aberdeen), across the Tombigbee River from Aberdeen proper. Variant names for East Aberdeen are Howards Bluff, Howards Farm, Howards Ferry, Howards Store, Martins Bluff, and Murffs.[10]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Aberdeen has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]
Choose the Right Electrician Trade School near Aberdeen MS
Selecting the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are reviewing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind 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 provides unique options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Aberdeen MS.
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