Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Hackensack NJ 07601

How to Become an Electrician in Hackensack New Jersey

Hackensack NJ electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Hackensack NJ. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are so many variables to evaluate. For instance, some students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have found several that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that need to be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when selecting an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Hackensack NJ

Hackensack NJ electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several approaches to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Hackensack NJ. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Frequently these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by New Jersey trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are offered by New Jersey junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some New Jersey institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Hackensack NJ electricians working on power lines Electricians in Hackensack NJ can perform a wide range 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 finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about four to five years of experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be acquired in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Hackensack NJ

attending electrician school online in Hackensack NJ An option that you may have contemplated is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning can be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Hackensack NJ are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Hackensack NJ electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Hackensack NJ area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are other variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools 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 pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Hackensack NJ program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 finish the course. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Hackensack NJ grads secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Hackensack NJ area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Hackensack NJ electrical contracting company if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Hackensack home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hackensack NJ, verify that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, 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 Hackensack NJ?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Hackensack NJ area.

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hackensack is a city in Bergen County in New Jersey, United States, and serves as its county seat.[21] The area was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921, but it was informally known as Hackensack since at least the 18th century.[22] As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 43,010,[10][11][12] reflecting an increase of 333 (+0.8%) from the 42,677 counted in the 2000 Census, which had, in turn, increased by 5,628 (+15.2%) from the 37,049 counted in the 1990 Census.[23]

An inner suburb of New York City, Hackensack is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Midtown Manhattan and about 7 miles (11 km) from the George Washington Bridge.[24] From a number of locations, the New York City skyline can be seen.[24]

The Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University straddles the Hackensack River in both Hackensack and Teaneck. Hackensack is also the home of the New Jersey Naval Museum and the World War II submarine USS Ling. Astronaut Wally Schirra is perhaps Hackensack's most famous native son.

The location could not be found.

Choose the Ideal Electrical Tech School near Hackensack NJ

Selecting the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every training program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Hackensack NJ.