Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Mendenhall PA 19357

How to Become an Electrician in Mendenhall Pennsylvania

Mendenhall PA electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Mendenhall PA. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are so many factors to consider. For instance, many potential students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have located several that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole factors that must be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are offered.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Mendenhall PA

Mendenhall PA electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general approaches to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Mendenhall PA. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most common programs available.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who want to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Pennsylvania colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

Mendenhall PA electricians working on power linesElectricians in Mendenhall PA can undertake a multitude of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but normally about four to five years of practical experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, 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 vary by state and can be acquired in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of proficiency:

  • 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 important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers 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.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Mendenhall PA

attending electrician school online in Mendenhall PAA possibility that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning can be a more practical option for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Mendenhall PA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available online also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Mendenhall PA electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Mendenhall PA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we discussed 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 final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical technical school.

Accreditation.  A large number of electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Mendenhall PA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify 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 complete the program. A low completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Mendenhall PA students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

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

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Mendenhall PA electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Mendenhall home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Mendenhall PA, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Mendenhall PA?

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

General Society of the War of 1812

The General Society of the War of 1812 is an American non-profit corporation and charitable organization of male descendants of American veterans of the War of 1812. The General Society was founded on January 9, 1854, at the Congress Hall in Philadelphia by Joel B. Sutherland.

Any male person above the age of eighteen (18) years who is a lineal descendant of one who served during the War of 1812, in the army, navy, revenue-marine, or privateer service of the United States, offering proof thereof satisfactory to the State Society to which he may, make application for membership, and who is of good moral character and reputation, may become a member of the Society when approved of by said State Society, under such regulations as it may make for passing upon applications for membership.[1][2] Female persons above the age of 18 who qualify, may apply to the United States Daughters of 1812.

On January 9, 1854 (a day after the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans), a group of over 1,500 War of 1812 veterans from across the United States met in convention at the Congress Hall in Philadelphia, having responded to a call issued by Joel B. Sutherland (1792-1861), a War of 1812 veteran and former Congressman from Philadelphia. Ostensibly called to draft resolutions pertaining to bounty land benefit legislation, the veterans assembled in Philadelphia acknowledged the need for an organization for mutual support and to perpetuate the history of the War of 1812. From this convention, the Society of the War of 1812 was founded and Sutherland was elected its first President. The Society met again in convention a year later in Washington, D.C., where they were received by President Franklin Pierce at the White House and lobbied members of Congress to secure the bounty land legislation, which was passed later in 1855. Sutherland’s goal was to form a division of the Society of the War of 1812 in each state in the union. His vision for the organization was not completed at the time of his death in 1861. Shortly thereafter, the General Society of the War of 1812 began accepting sons and grandsons of Veteran members.[3]

The location could not be found.

Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Mendenhall PA

Choosing the ideal electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides different options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Mendenhall PA.

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