Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Shrewsbury PA 17361

How to Become an Electrician in Shrewsbury Pennsylvania

Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury PA. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of points to consider. For instance, many potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have located several that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the only things that should be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should influence your final decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Shrewsbury PA

Shrewsbury PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several ways to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Shrewsbury PA. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are brief explanations of the three most prevalent programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Pennsylvania colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines

Shrewsbury PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Shrewsbury PA can undertake a multitude of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases involves 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 imperative that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Shrewsbury PA

attending electrician school online in Shrewsbury PA An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling expenses from Shrewsbury PA are also minimized and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Shrewsbury PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Shrewsbury PA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Shrewsbury PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited in order 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 percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Shrewsbury PA graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Shrewsbury PA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment 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 concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Shrewsbury PA electrical contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Shrewsbury home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Shrewsbury PA, confirm that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Shrewsbury PA?

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

Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 3,378 people, 1,330 households, and 942 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,916.4 people per square mile (741.1/km²). There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of 775.5 per square mile (299.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.48% White, 0.80% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.

There were 1,330 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

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Select the Right Electrician Trade School near Shrewsbury PA

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training program that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length 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. Every program offers unique options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Shrewsbury PA.