How to Become an Electrician in Souderton Pennsylvania

The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Souderton PA. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, many prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have identified several that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that should be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Souderton PA

There are three general approaches to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Souderton PA. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the first 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 want to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most prevalent programs offered.

• Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly 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 comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites

Electricians in Souderton PA can carry out a wide range of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you select not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Schools in Souderton PA

A possibility that you might have looked at is choosing an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more accommodating option for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Souderton PA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

When you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Souderton PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first 2 that we mentioned 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 crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess before enrolling in an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire 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. Verify that the Souderton PA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, 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 affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Souderton PA graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Souderton PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes 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 state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Souderton PA electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Souderton home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Souderton PA, check that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, 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 Souderton PA?

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

Select the Right Electrician Vocational School near Souderton PA

Picking the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Souderton PA.

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