How to Become an Electrician in Clearfield Pennsylvania
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Clearfield PA. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have located some that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only things that should be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Clearfield PA
There are three general options to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Clearfield PA. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to finish and are provided by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Clearfield PA can undertake a wide range of tasks, such as 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 mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves 3 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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs in Clearfield PA
An alternative that you may have looked at is choosing an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning may be a more convenient option for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Clearfield PA are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available online also. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Clearfield PA area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Clearfield PA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states mandate 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also imperative 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 employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Clearfield PA students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Clearfield PA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Clearfield PA electrical contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Clearfield home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased 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 challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Clearfield PA, verify that the schools you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find 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 Clearfield PA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Clearfield PA area.
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Clearfield is a borough and the county seat[3] of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 6,215 people[4] making it the second most populous community in Clearfield County behind DuBois. The borough is part of the DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, as well as the larger State College-DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area. The settled area surrounding the borough consists of the nearby census-designated places of Hyde and Plymptonville, which combined with Clearfield have a population of approximately 8,595 people.
As of October 2015, meetings between Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township members have been discussed for possible merger and consolidation of the two municipalities to become one municipality or city. As of October 1, 2016 both Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township still remain separate municipalities.[5][6] However meetings as of September 29, 2016 show the process is moving forward, and consolidation would occur around January 6, 2020 if vote passes.[7]
There were many trade routes and paths for Native Americans living and passing through Clearfield County up to the 1600s. One major Indian path at the time was the Great Shamokin Path, which started near the Indian village of Shamokin (now Sunbury) on the Susquehanna River and continued west past Lock Haven, to Chinklacamoose,[8] now the borough of Clearfield. Finally the path ended at the village of Kittanning on the Allegheny River, which is now the modern town of the same name.
Find the Ideal Electrical Technical School near Clearfield PA
Selecting the best electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many things that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every training program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Clearfield PA.
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