How to Become an Electrician in Ticonderoga New York
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Ticonderoga NY. But with so many technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have located several that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant, they are not the only qualifications that must be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Ticonderoga NY
There are multiple options to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Ticonderoga NY. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by New York vocational and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by New York junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some New York colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Ticonderoga NY can undertake a multitude of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but normally around four to five years of experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be earned in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves 3 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 imperative that the electrician tech school that you select not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Ticonderoga NY
A possibility that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, distance learning can be a more practical option for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Travelling expenses from Ticonderoga NY are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be available on line also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Training Schools
When you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Ticonderoga NY region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. 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 additional factors that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Ticonderoga NY school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of 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 considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high 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 affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Ticonderoga NY grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Ticonderoga NY area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Ticonderoga NY electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Ticonderoga residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback concerning 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 schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Ticonderoga NY, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Ticonderoga NY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Ticonderoga NY area.
Ticonderoga, New York
Ticonderoga (/taɪkɒndəˈroʊɡə/) is a town in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 5,042 at the 2010 census.[3] The name comes from the Mohawk tekontaró:ken, meaning "it is at the junction of two waterways".[4]
The town was located on the direct route, utilizing rivers and two long lakes, between New York City to the south and the French settlement of Montreal to the north. The town was the setting for historic battles and maneuvers during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. Fort Ticonderoga, constructed by the French, who called it Fort Carillon, in the 1750s, marked the location of an important portage between the two lakes.
The Town of Ticonderoga was formed in 1804 from part of the town of Crown Point. By the end of the 18th century, the town was noted for wood products such as paper and lead pencils. The position of the now former Ticonderoga village at the north end of Lake George made it an important port. The village was dissolved on 31 December 1993 after a public referendum, its operations were absorbed by the Town of Ticonderoga.
Enroll in the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Ticonderoga NY
Choosing the right electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, 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 best way to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Ticonderoga NY.
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