Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Shenandoah PA 17976

How to Become an Electrician in Shenandoah Pennsylvania

Shenandoah PA electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Shenandoah PA. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are a number of factors to evaluate. For instance, many potential students will start by looking for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are significant, they are not the only things that should be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Shenandoah PA

Shenandoah PA electrician re-wiring power outletThere are several options to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Shenandoah PA. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are short summaries of the three most typical programs offered.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards those who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs require two years to finish and are provided by Pennsylvania community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Pennsylvania colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out before licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria

Shenandoah PA electricians working on power linesElectricians in Shenandoah PA can perform a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails 3 levels of proficiency:

  • An experience requirement
  • Passing a written exam
  • Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying organizations 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 tech school that you choose not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Schools Online in Shenandoah PA

attending electrician school online in Shenandoah PAA possibility that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools have become more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting costs from Shenandoah PA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available online also. All of these benefits can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Shenandoah PA electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Shenandoah PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Numerous electrician trade schools 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 relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the Shenandoah 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 get a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It might also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train 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 can result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Shenandoah PA students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Shenandoah PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Shenandoah PA electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Shenandoah home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Shenandoah PA, check that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Shenandoah PA?

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

Shenandoah, Pennsylvania

Shenandoah is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States, located in the anthracite-mining region approximately 200 miles (320 km) west of New York City. It is distinct from Shenandoah Heights, which is part of West Mahanoy Township immediately to the north.

The area that became Shenandoah was first settled by a farmer named Peter Kehley in 1835 where he cleared a patch of land at the center of the valley and built a log cabin. Peter Kehley maintained his farm for about 20 years in total isolation.[3] He sold his claim to the Philadelphia Land Company, which in anticipation of the opening of coal mines in the area, laid out the town in 1862.[4]

Booming growth occurred during the Civil War years caused by the development and opening of several anthracite coal mines.[citation needed] The area was incorporated as a borough in 1866[4] and was a famous hotbed of activity during the era of the Molly Maguires in the 1870s.[citation needed]

The location could not be found.

Pick the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Shenandoah PA

Choosing the right electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Shenandoah PA.

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