How to Become an Electrician in Drumright Oklahoma
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Drumright OK. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For example, some students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only qualifications that need to be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should influence your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Drumright OK
There are several approaches to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Drumright OK. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Oklahoma vocational and trade schools and require about a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards students who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are offered by Oklahoma junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Oklahoma institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Drumright OK can undertake a vast array of services, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually assess 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 her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases involves three 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Drumright OK
A possibility that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Drumright OK are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Drumright OK area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest 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 selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess before selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Drumright OK program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program 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 complete the course. A lower completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Drumright OK grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction 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. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Drumright OK area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Drumright OK electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Drumright residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be higher tuition fees 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 larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Drumright OK, check that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Drumright OK?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Drumright OK area.
Drumright, Oklahoma
Drumright is a city in Creek and Payne counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It began as an oil boom town. However, the population has declined as oil production has waned in the area. The population was 2,907 at the 2010 census, almost unchanged from 2,905 at the 2000 census.[3] Drumright and nearby Cushing were at the center of a large, productive oilfield in the 1910s and 1920s.
The town sprang up nearly overnight in 1912, after wildcatter Tom Slick struck oil on the farm of Frank Wheeler, causing a rush of speculators, oilfield workers, and merchants into the area. A post office was established in the community on December 28, 1912. Local landowners James W. Fulkerson and Aaron Drumright platted a townsite, which was initially called Fulkerson, The town was renamed for Aaron Drumright, a farmer and later local businessman whose farm was part of the townsite.[4]
Oil workers flooded into town so quickly that they lived in tents or shacks made from box cars, causing the community to be known locally as "Ragtown." Hotels and boarding houses were constructed next, as well as amenities like gambling dens, dance halls, and roadhouses, where the workers could spend their money. Drumright incorporated as a town on May 27, 1913. In 1914, the city built a two-story building of stone to serve as an elementary and high school. It was called Washington School, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRIS 81000462). Two banks opened in the town during 1914. Drumright was designated a first-class city after an election on April 18, 1916. The 1920 census reported a population of 6,460.[4]
Enroll in the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Drumright OK
Picking the right electrical trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification also. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Drumright OK.
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