Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Bethlehem PA 18015

How to Become an Electrician in Bethlehem Pennsylvania

Bethlehem PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Bethlehem PA. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many points to evaluate. For example, some potential students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have located some that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the only factors that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Bethlehem PA

Bethlehem PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Bethlehem PA. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees require 2 years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania 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 earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Pennsylvania institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be performed before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria

Bethlehem PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Bethlehem PA can carry out a multitude 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 required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about four to five years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to 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 offered differ by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Schools Online in Bethlehem PA

attending electrician school online in Bethlehem PA A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Bethlehem PA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Bethlehem PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Bethlehem PA region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Bethlehem PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs 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 lower completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors 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 list of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Bethlehem PA students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Bethlehem PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area 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 in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Bethlehem PA electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Bethlehem home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Bethlehem PA, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Bethlehem PA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Bethlehem PA area.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley region of the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, and Scranton.[4] Of this, 55,639 were in Northampton County, and 19,343 were in Lehigh County.

Bethlehem lies in the center of the Lehigh Valley, a region of 731 sq mi (1,890 km2) that is home to more than 800,000 people. Together with Allentown and Easton, the Valley embraces the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, including Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties within Pennsylvania, and Warren County in the adjacent state of New Jersey. Smaller than Allentown but larger than Easton, Bethlehem is the Lehigh Valley's second most populous city. In turn, this metropolitan area comprises Pennsylvania's third-largest metropolitan area and the state's largest and most populous contribution to the greater New York City metropolitan area.

There are four general sections of the city: central Bethlehem, the south side, the east side, and the west side. Each of these sections blossomed at different times in the city's development and each contains areas recognized under the National Register of Historic Places. ZIP codes that use the address Bethlehem totaled 116,000 in population in the year 2000. These ZIP codes include Bethlehem Township and Hanover Township.

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Pick the Ideal Electrician Technical School near Bethlehem PA

Selecting the best electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Bethlehem PA.