Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Newark NJ 07101

How to Become an Electrician in Newark New Jersey

Newark NJ electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Newark NJ. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to evaluate. For instance, some potential students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have located a few that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though cost and location are important, they are not the sole things that should be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate decision when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Newark NJ

Newark NJ electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general options to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Newark NJ. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain 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 become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by New Jersey vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are provided by New Jersey community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain New Jersey colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Newark NJ electricians working on power lines Electricians in Newark NJ can undertake a vast array of functions, 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 the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about four to five years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases entails 3 levels of competency:

An experience requirement
Passing a written exam
Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Newark NJ

attending electrician school online in Newark NJ A possibility that you might have considered is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools have become more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving expenses from Newark NJ are also minimized and some of the study materials may be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Newark NJ electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Newark NJ area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to choosing an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Many electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Newark NJ program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to use 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 field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Newark NJ students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Newark NJ area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Newark NJ electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Newark home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition charges 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 a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Newark NJ, confirm that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Newark NJ?

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

Newark, New Jersey

Newark (/ˈnjuːərk/,[24]locally /njʊərk/)[25] is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County.[26] As one of the nation's major air, shipping, and rail hubs, the city had a population of 281,764 in 2016, making it the nation's 67th-most populous municipality, after being ranked 63rd in the nation in 2000.[15]

Settled in 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony, Newark is one of the oldest European cities in the United States. Its location at the mouth of the Passaic River (where it flows into Newark Bay) has made the city's waterfront an integral part of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Today, Port Newark–Elizabeth is the primary container shipping terminal of the busiest seaport on the American East Coast. In addition, Newark Liberty International Airport was the first municipal commercial airport in the United States, and today is one of its busiest.[27][28][29]

Several leading companies have their headquarters in Newark, including Prudential, PSEG, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Audible.com, IDT Corporation, and Manischewitz. A number of important higher education institutions are also in the city, including the Newark campus of Rutgers University (which includes law and medical schools and the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies); the New Jersey Institute of Technology; and Seton Hall University's law school. The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sits in the city as well. Local cultural venues include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, the Prudential Center and the Newark Museum.

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Find the Right Electrical Technical School near Newark NJ

Selecting the best electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to 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 offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Newark NJ.