How to Become an Electrician in Artesia New Mexico
The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Artesia NM. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many variables to consider. For example, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified several that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your ultimate decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are offered.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Artesia NM
There are several options to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Artesia NM. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are brief summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by New Mexico vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are offered by New Mexico junior or community colleges, commonly 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 Degree programs are accessible at some New Mexico colleges, but are less favored at four 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 carried out prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Artesia NM can carry out a vast array of duties, such as testing, installing and replacing 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 become licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about four to five years of experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be earned in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes three 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you select not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs in Artesia NM
An alternative that you may have contemplated is choosing an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more accommodating option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Commuting costs from Artesia NM are also minimized and some of the study materials may be available online as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Artesia NM region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Artesia NM school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved 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 finish the course. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Artesia NM graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Artesia NM area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Artesia NM electrical contracting company if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Artesia home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized 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 large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Artesia NM, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Artesia NM?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Artesia NM area.
Artesia, New Mexico
Artesia is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States, centered at the intersection of U.S. Route 82 and U.S. Route 285; the two highways serve as the city's Main Street and First Street, respectively. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,301.[2]
The town assumed its present name in 1903, after the discovery of an artesian aquifer in the area; artesian wells for agriculture flourished in the area until the aquifer became significantly depleted in the 1920s. The city was officially incorporated in 1905. It is home to one of the two Strangite meeting places in the world.[3]
Artesia is located in northern Eddy County at 32°50′34″N 104°24′44″W / 32.84278°N 104.41222°W / 32.84278; -104.41222 (32.842744, -104.412315),[5] at an elevation of 3,380 feet (1,030 m). US 82 leads east 64 miles (103 km) to Lovington and west 110 miles (180 km) to Alamogordo, while US 285 leads north 40 miles (64 km) to Roswell and south 36 miles (58 km) to Carlsbad, the Eddy County seat.
Select the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Artesia NM
Selecting the right electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Artesia NM.
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