Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Lake Ariel PA 18436

How to Become an Electrician in Lake Ariel Pennsylvania

Lake Ariel PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Lake Ariel PA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many variables to consider. For example, many potential students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have identified several that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Lake Ariel PA

Lake Ariel PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Lake Ariel PA. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive 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 required by most states in order to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are short summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are provided by Pennsylvania community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria

Lake Ariel PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Lake Ariel PA can carry out a vast array of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be obtained in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of competency:

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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you select not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Training Classes in Lake Ariel PA

attending electrician school online in Lake Ariel PA An alternative that you might have looked at is choosing an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more practical choice for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Lake Ariel PA are also minimized and some of the study materials may be accessed online as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Lake Ariel PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Since there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Lake Ariel PA area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Lake Ariel PA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get an excellent education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools 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 lower completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also suggest that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize 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 Lake Ariel PA graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Lake Ariel PA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Lake Ariel PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Lake Ariel home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving 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 instruction as possible, which can be challenging 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 instructors and students. Talk to some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lake Ariel PA, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lake Ariel PA?

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

Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania

Lake Ariel is a village in Lake Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. It was once the site of an amusement park. The main intersection is dominated by Saint Thomas Moore Roman Catholic Church and the Howe Convenient Market.

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Lake Ariel was founded by settlers with the name of Jones, and thus was once known by its people as Jonestown. Although when the town began it was formed of only a few family farms, Jonestown soon expanded due to the Pennsylvania Coal Company's Gravity Railroad. It brought workers and soon businesses were needed to fulfil their needs, including a post office named Ariel, which would later lead to the change in name of the town.

Since the late 19th century through the 20th century, Lake Ariel has had various thriving businesses. There were numerous sawmills, and Lake Ariel also had different factories such as a cheese factory and a chair factory. Many locals also held jobs at the ice houses and Lake Ariel Park. Lake Ariel Park was a major tourist area for the community. It contained a pavilion for picnics and dancing. There were also rides such as a waterslide, a rollercoaster called the Cyclone, carousels, and miniature train rides. The park also had a beach where visitors could go swimming or boating. The owners of Lake Ariel Park also purchased an airplane so that their visitors could pay to get rides in the plane. The Lake Ariel Park also led to the increased popularity of the Lake Ariel Hotel which was formerly known as the Columbia Hotel. The Lake Ariel Hotel stood in disrepair for many years until it was finally torn down in 2011. Unfortunately, the Lake Ariel Park had a worse fate. Due to summer hurricanes and bad winters the park had to be closed down in the early 1950s. Some businesses did withstand the test of time. John T. Howe started his gas station in 1919, the business was passed down to his son and is still in business today. It now is called Howe Convenient Market. It is a gas station and store but it is not in the original building. Another business that had a few changes but is still running today is the Wayne Garage. It was built in 1915, making it the oldest business in Lake Ariel. After it was sold to new owners in 1958 it was changed to a body shop and remains one today.

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Select the Right Electrical Trade School near Lake Ariel PA

Picking the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Lake Ariel PA.