Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Guthrie OK 73044

How to Become an Electrician in Guthrie Oklahoma

Guthrie OK electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Guthrie OK. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are so many factors to consider. For instance, some prospective students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have found some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the only qualifications that need to be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are offered.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Guthrie OK

Guthrie OK electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general approaches to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Guthrie OK. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Oklahoma trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are provided by Oklahoma community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Oklahoma institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria

Guthrie OK electricians working on power lines Electricians in Guthrie OK can undertake a multitude of duties, including installing, replacing and testing 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 be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically about four to five years of experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be earned in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails three levels of competency:

An experience requirement
Passing a written exam
Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying agencies 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 tech school that you pick not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Schools in Guthrie OK

attending electrician school online in Guthrie OK An option that you might have contemplated is choosing an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Guthrie OK are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed on line also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Guthrie OK electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Guthrie OK region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess before selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Many electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Guthrie OK school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require 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 program. A low completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent 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 mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Guthrie OK students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Guthrie OK area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Guthrie OK electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Guthrie home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training 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 to a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Guthrie OK, confirm that the programs you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Guthrie OK?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Guthrie OK area.

Guthrie, Oklahoma

Guthrie is a city and county seat in Logan County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metroplex. The population was 10,191 at the 2010 census, a 2.7 percent increase from the 9,925 at the 2000 census.[5]

First known as a railroad station stop, after the April 1889 land run, Guthrie immediately gained 10,000 new residents who began to develop the town. It was rapidly improved and was designated as the territorial capital, and in 1907 as the first state capital of Oklahoma. In 1910 state voters chose the larger Oklahoma City as the new capital in a special election.

Guthrie is nationally significant for its collection of late 19th and early 20th century commercial architecture. The Guthrie Historic District includes more than 2,000 buildings and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Historic tourism is important to the city, and its Victorian architecture provides a backdrop for Wild West and territorial-style entertainment, carriage tours, replica trolley cars, specialty shops, and art galleries.

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Select the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Guthrie OK

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will need to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers different options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Guthrie OK.