How to Become an Electrician in Laurel Mississippi
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Laurel MS. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many variables to evaluate. For instance, some prospective students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified several that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the sole qualifications that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Laurel MS
There are three general approaches to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Laurel MS. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of 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 usually offered by Mississippi trade and technical schools and require about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to finish and are provided by Mississippi junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Mississippi institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Laurel MS can carry out a vast array of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in several specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you pick not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Schools Online in Laurel MS
A possibility that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning can be a more practical choice for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Driving costs from Laurel MS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Training Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Laurel MS area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other factors that must be considered also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Laurel MS program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it to be approved 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 program. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly 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 validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Laurel MS grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational 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 working partnerships with Laurel MS area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Laurel MS electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Laurel residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise 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 can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Laurel MS, check that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Laurel MS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Laurel MS area.
Laurel, Mississippi
Laurel is a city in and the second county seat of Jones County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 18,548. It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. Laurel has the second county courthouse, as there are two judicial districts in Jones County.
Laurel is the principal city of a Micropolitan Statistical Area named for it. Its major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, Family Health Center, Howse Implement, Thermo-Kool, and South Central Regional Medical Center. Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum, which was established by the family of Lauren Eastman Rogers. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county.
By the turn of the century, the city became a site of cotton mills, to process and manufacture textiles from the state's commodity crop of cotton. The city population grew markedly during the early 20th century, as rural people were attracted to manufacturing jobs. Mechanization of agriculture reduced the number of farming jobs. The city reached its peak of population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then.
Enroll in the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Laurel MS
Selecting the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique possibilities for certification also. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Laurel MS.
Other Cool Cities in Mississippi
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 