How to Become an Electrician in Vicksburg Mississippi
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Vicksburg MS. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many variables to consider. For example, many prospective students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have found a few that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though cost and location are important, they are not the sole things that must be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will talk about 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, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Vicksburg MS
There are multiple approaches to obtain electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Vicksburg MS. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Mississippi technical and trade schools and require about a year to complete. They furnish 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 complete and are provided by Mississippi junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Mississippi colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be completed before licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Vicksburg MS can undertake a multitude of tasks, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- 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 crucial that the electrician trade school that you choose not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Programs Online in Vicksburg MS
An option that you might have looked at is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling expenses from Vicksburg MS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Vicksburg MS area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have acquired 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 a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Vicksburg MS school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Vicksburg MS students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade 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 within their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Vicksburg MS area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Vicksburg MS electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Vicksburg residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get 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 observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Vicksburg MS, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Vicksburg MS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Vicksburg MS area.
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is the only city in, and county seat of Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is located 234 miles (377 km) northwest of New Orleans at the confluence of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and 40 miles (64 km) due west of Jackson, the state capital. It is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from the state of Louisiana.
The city has increased in population since 1900, when 14,834 people lived here. The population was 26,407 at the 2000 census. In 2010, it was designated as the principal city of a Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with a total population of 49,644. This MSA includes all of Warren County.
The area which is now Vicksburg was long occupied by the Natchez Native Americans as part of their historical territory along the Mississippi. The Natchez spoke a language isolate not related to the Muskogean languages of the other major tribes in the area. Before the Natchez, other indigenous cultures had occupied this strategic area for thousands of years.
Find the Right Electrical Technical School near Vicksburg MS
Selecting the ideal electrical trade school will probably 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 assess and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to 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 type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every program provides different options for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Vicksburg MS.
Other Cool Cities in Mississippi
Business Results 1 - 10 of 4
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 