Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Hatboro PA 19040

How to Become an Electrician in Hatboro Pennsylvania

Hatboro PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Hatboro PA. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are so many variables to consider. For instance, many prospective students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the only qualifications that should be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should influence your final decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are offered.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Hatboro PA

Hatboro PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several ways to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Hatboro PA. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Following are short explanations of the three most prevalent programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are provided by Pennsylvania community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 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 Requirements

Hatboro PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Hatboro PA can undertake a wide range of duties, such as 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 normally about four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be acquired in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves 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 crucial that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only provides a strong academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Hatboro PA

attending electrician school online in Hatboro PA An option that you may have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, distance learning may be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving expenses from Hatboro PA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be available on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Hatboro PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Hatboro PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research prior to choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Hatboro PA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, 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 schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Hatboro PA graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training 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 inside their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Hatboro PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Hatboro PA electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Hatboro home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few 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 certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hatboro PA, check that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Hatboro PA?

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

Hatboro, Pennsylvania

The town of Hatboro is located on land purchased from William Penn by the family of Nicholas More around 1705. The first land titles in town were issued in 1711. Original construction by early residents of the town occurred between 1715 and 1719. Early settlement pre-dating the Hatboro name occurred in the Crooked Billet area east of York Road, between Moreland Avenue and Byberry Road.

Early resident John Dawson entertained guests at the Crooked Billet Inn as well as manufacturing a line of hats. When the post office opened in 1809 the town was officially called Hatborough. U.S. Postmaster General John Wanamaker officially changed the name of the town in the 1880s to Hatboro.

The Union Library Company of Hatboro, the third library company to be founded in Pennsylvania, was formed in 1755. This building still stands on its original site today and still serves as a library. George Washington and his troops passed through the town numerous times during 1777 in pursuit of British Troops. The Battle of Crooked Billet was fought in 1778.

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Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Tech School near Hatboro PA

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification also. Probably The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school 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 Hatboro PA.