Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Pittstown NJ 08867

How to Become an Electrician in Pittstown New Jersey

Pittstown NJ electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Pittstown NJ. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, many potential students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have located some that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when selecting an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are available.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Pittstown NJ

Pittstown NJ electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple approaches to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Pittstown NJ. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are brief summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by New Jersey technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are provided by New Jersey community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some New Jersey colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Pittstown NJ electricians working on power lines Electricians in Pittstown NJ can perform a vast array of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be obtained in various specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 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 crucial that the electrician vocational school that you select not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Programs in Pittstown NJ

attending electrician school online in Pittstown NJ A possibility that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Commuting costs from Pittstown NJ are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Pittstown NJ electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Pittstown NJ region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Pittstown NJ school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the electrician training course 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which can result in 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Pittstown NJ grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Pittstown NJ area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Pittstown NJ electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Pittstown home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Pittstown NJ, check that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Pittstown NJ?

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

Pittstown, New Jersey

Pittstown is an unincorporated community located at the intersection of the boundaries of Alexandria, Franklin and Union townships in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States.[4][5] The area is named after William Pitt. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08867. The area was named Hofftown in the 18th century after landowner Lawrence Hoff.[6]

The location could not be found.

Find the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Pittstown NJ

Choosing the ideal electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you select is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Pittstown NJ.