Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Newcastle OK 73065

How to Become an Electrician in Newcastle Oklahoma

Newcastle OK electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Newcastle OK. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are so many variables to evaluate. For example, many students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have located a few that are within driving range, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Newcastle OK

Newcastle OK electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Newcastle OK. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief descriptions of the three most prevalent programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Oklahoma vocational and trade schools and require about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are provided by Oklahoma community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Oklahoma institutions, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites

Newcastle OK electricians working on power lines Electricians in Newcastle OK can perform a wide range of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually about four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in several specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves 3 levels of competency:

An experience requirement
Passing a written exam
Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician tech school that you pick not only provides a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Newcastle OK

attending electrician school online in Newcastle OK An alternative that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning may be a more practical alternative for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Newcastle OK are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Newcastle OK electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Newcastle OK region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Many electrician trade programs have attained 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 an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Newcastle OK program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Newcastle OK students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Newcastle OK area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Newcastle OK electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Newcastle residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized 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 instructors and students. Speak to some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the teachers and learn 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 reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Newcastle OK, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Newcastle OK?

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

Newcastle, Oklahoma

The city limits of Newcastle encompassed just a few square miles until around 1960, when Oklahoma City began annexing huge chunks of land across the river. Newcastle expanded, as did Tuttle and Blanchard, to prevent the city from trying to move across the river. The population grew very little until the mid-1970s, when Oklahoma City began expanding past SW 74th Street, populating near the I-44 corridor.

Newcastle is located at 35°14′50.82″N 97°36′.22″W / 35.2474500°N 97.6000611°W / 35.2474500; -97.6000611 (35.145082, -97.360022).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 62.5 square miles (162 km2), of which, 55.8 square miles (145 km2) of it is land and 6.7 square miles (17 km2) of it (6.01%) is water.

Newcastle is considered to be part of a rapidly growing area of northern McClain and Grady Counties. Newcastle also is a part of an area known as the "Tri-City Area" with Tuttle and Blanchard. Newcastle also serves as the largest incorporated community in McClain County.

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Select the Right Electrical Vocational School near Newcastle OK

Choosing the ideal electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal way to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Newcastle OK.