Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Erie PA 16501

How to Become an Electrician in Erie Pennsylvania

Erie PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Erie PA. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are a number of points to consider. For example, many students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have found a few that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that need to be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Erie PA

Erie PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several approaches to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Erie PA. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Frequently these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are short explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take 2 years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Pennsylvania colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Erie PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Erie PA can carry out a multitude of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around four to five years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be acquired in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative 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 Schools Online in Erie PA

attending electrician school online in Erie PA A possibility that you may have looked at is choosing an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving costs from Erie PA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Erie PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Erie PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 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 while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Erie PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools 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 low completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, 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 help Erie PA grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Erie PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Erie PA electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Erie residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges 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 monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Erie PA, verify that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Erie PA?

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

Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie /ˈɪəri/ is a city in and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, as well as the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania,[5] with a population of 101,786 at the 2010 census.[6] The estimated population in 2016 had decreased to 98,593.[4] The Erie metropolitan area, equivalent to all of Erie County, consists of 276,207 residents. The Erie-Meadville, PA Combined Statistical Area has a population of 369,331, as of the 2010 Census.

Erie is halfway between the cities of Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, and due north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Erie's manufacturing sector remains prominent in the local economy, though health care, higher education, technology, service industries and tourism are emerging as significant economic drivers. Over four million people visit Erie during summer months for recreation at Presque Isle State Park, as well as attractions such as Splash Lagoon indoor water park, Waldameer Park, and the casino and horse racetrack named for the state park.

Erie is known as the "Flagship City" because of its status as the home port of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara.[7] The city has also been called the "Gem City" because of the sparkling lake.[7] Erie won the All-America City Award in 1972, and in 2012 hosted the Perry 200,[8] a commemoration, celebrating 200 years of peace between England, America and Canada following the War of 1812 and Battle of Lake Erie.

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Choose the Right Electrical Trade School near Erie PA

Selecting the ideal electrical trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have covered 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 training that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Erie PA.