How to Become an Electrician in Curtisville Pennsylvania
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Curtisville PA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are so many variables to evaluate. For instance, many potential students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. When they have found several that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the sole things that need to be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in greater 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 Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Curtisville PA
There are multiple ways to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Curtisville PA. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short summaries of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Pennsylvania colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Curtisville PA can perform a wide range of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around four to five years of practical experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you select not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Curtisville PA
An option that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting costs from Curtisville PA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online as well. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Now that you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Curtisville PA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 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 an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are other variables that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have received 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, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Curtisville PA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. 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 reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It may also mean 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 alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Curtisville PA grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous 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 contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Curtisville PA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Curtisville PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Curtisville residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get 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 observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm 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 Curtisville PA, confirm that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Curtisville PA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Curtisville PA area.
Curtisville, Pennsylvania
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,173 people, 498 households, and 330 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 822.5 people per square mile (316.7/km²). There were 528 housing units at an average density of 370.2/sq mi (142.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.81% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 498 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
Select the Ideal Electrician Technical School near Curtisville PA
Selecting the right electrical trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical 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 education needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every training program provides unique options for certification also. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Curtisville PA.
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