How to Become an Electrician in Niagara University New York
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Niagara University NY. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are so many points to examine. For example, some prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have located several that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the sole factors that should be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your final judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are available.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Niagara University NY
There are three general ways to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Niagara University NY. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are brief summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by New York vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to finish and are offered by New York community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some New York colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Niagara University NY can perform a multitude of services, including testing, installing and replacing 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 municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes three levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies 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 trade school that you choose not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Niagara University NY
A possibility that you may have considered is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Niagara University NY are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available online also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Niagara University NY area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Niagara University NY school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Niagara University NY graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Niagara University NY area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Niagara University NY electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Niagara University residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger 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 teachers. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees 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 go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Niagara University NY, check that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Niagara University NY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Niagara University NY area.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls (/naɪˈæɡrə/ ny-AG-ra) is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is adjacent to the Niagara River, across from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Western New York region.
While the city was formerly occupied by Native Americans, Europeans who migrated to the Niagara Falls in the mid-17th century began to open businesses and develop infrastructure. Later in the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and businessmen began harnessing the power of the Niagara River for electricity and the city began to attract manufacturers and other businesses that were drawn by the promise of inexpensive hydroelectric power. After the 1960s, however, the city and region witnessed an economic decline, following an attempt at urban renewal under then Mayor Lackey. Consistent with the rest of the Rust Belt as industries left the city, old line affluent families relocated to nearby suburbs and out of town.
Despite the decline in heavy industry, Niagara Falls State Park and the downtown area closest to the falls continue to thrive as a result of tourism. The population, however, has continued to decline from a peak of 102,394 in the 1960s due to the loss of manufacturing jobs in the area.
Select the Right Electrician Tech School near Niagara University NY
Picking the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have discussed 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 necessity that any electrical tech school that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides different 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 students and instructors. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Niagara University NY.
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