How to Become an Electrician in Dexter City Ohio
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Dexter City OH. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many points to examine. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have found a few that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that must be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are available.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Dexter City OH
There are several approaches to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Dexter City OH. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Ohio vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to complete and are provided by Ohio community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Ohio colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Dexter City OH can carry out a multitude of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about four to five years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves 3 levels of proficiency:
- 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 tech school that you pick not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Dexter City OH
An option that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed 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 reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Dexter City OH are also minimized and some of the study materials can be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Dexter City OH area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are other variables that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research before selecting an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Many electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Dexter City OH school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are looking at 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 could signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It may also indicate 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 broader directory 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 affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Dexter City OH graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Dexter City OH area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Dexter City OH electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Dexter City residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges 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 few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise 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 in the evening or on weekends near Dexter City OH, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Dexter City OH?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Dexter City OH area.
Dexter City, Ohio
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 129 people, 51 households, and 36 families residing in the village. The population density was 758.8 inhabitants per square mile (293.0/km2). There were 56 housing units at an average density of 329.4 per square mile (127.2/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 95.3% White, 0.8% African American, and 3.9% from two or more races.
There were 51 households of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the village was 38.5 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 30.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
Pick the Right Electrician Trade School near Dexter City OH
Choosing the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each training program offers different options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you decide on is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Dexter City OH.
Other Cool Cities in Ohio
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
2 Reviews 
3 Reviews 