How to Become an Electrician in Philipsburg Pennsylvania
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Philipsburg PA. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are a number of factors to consider. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. When they have located a few that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the only qualifications that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are offered.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Philipsburg PA
There are several options to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Philipsburg PA. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible 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 more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Philipsburg PA can carry out a vast array of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases entails three 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Philipsburg PA
A possibility that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning can be a more practical option for students that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling costs from Philipsburg PA are also reduced and some of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Philipsburg PA area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have acquired 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 a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Philipsburg PA program is 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 receive a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course 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 finish the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Philipsburg PA grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Philipsburg PA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical 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 equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art 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 with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Philipsburg PA electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Philipsburg residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Philipsburg PA, verify that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Philipsburg PA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Philipsburg PA area.
Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Pick the Right Electrical Vocational School near Philipsburg PA
Choosing the right electrical trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician tech school that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Every program offers different options for certification as well. Probably The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Philipsburg PA.
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