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Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Willow Grove PA 19090

How to Become an Electrician in Willow Grove Pennsylvania

Willow Grove PA electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Willow Grove PA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are a number of points to consider. For example, some potential students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified some that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. Even though location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are offered.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Willow Grove PA

Willow Grove PA electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general approaches to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Willow Grove PA. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable 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 program, which are required by most states in order to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are brief explanations of the three most typical programs available.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria

Willow Grove PA electricians working on power linesElectricians in Willow Grove PA can perform a multitude of services, 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 mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in many specializations, including 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 organizations 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 tech school that you enroll in not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Schools Online in Willow Grove PA

attending electrician school online in Willow Grove PAAn alternative that you may have considered is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, internet learning can be a more practical choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Driving expenses from Willow Grove PA are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Willow Grove PA electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Willow Grove PA region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Willow Grove PA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved 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 complete the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Willow Grove PA students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician trade 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 inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Willow Grove PA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Willow Grove PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Willow Grove residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Willow Grove PA, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Willow Grove PA?

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

Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

Willow Grove is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Upper Dublin Township, Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township. Willow Grove was once known for Willow Grove Park, an amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976, now the site of Willow Grove Park Mall. Willow Grove is considered an edge city of Philadelphia with large amounts of retail and office space.[3]

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove was located northwest of the Willow Grove CDP in Horsham Township.[4] NAS JRB Willow Grove transitioned into Horsham Air National Guard Station in September 2011.[citation needed]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2), of which 0.28% is water. It has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and its hardiness zone is 7a.

The location could not be found.

Select the Right Electrical Trade School near Willow Grove PA

Choosing the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each program offers different options for certification also. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Willow Grove PA.

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