Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Columbus TX 78934

How to Become an Electrician in Columbus Texas

Columbus TX electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Columbus TX. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have located several that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only things that must be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Columbus TX

Columbus TX electrician re-wiring power outletThere are multiple options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Columbus TX. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief descriptions of the three most common programs offered.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally provided by Texas trade and technical schools and require about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who would like to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are offered by Texas community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Texas colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Criteria

Columbus TX electricians working on power linesElectricians in Columbus TX can carry out a multitude of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually about four to five years of experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves three levels of competency:

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

Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you select not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Programs in Columbus TX

attending electrician school online in Columbus TXAn alternative that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools have become more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Travelling expenses from Columbus TX are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available online also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Columbus TX electrician re-wiring circuit panelOnce you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Columbus TX area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other variables that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Columbus TX school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states require 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 complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high 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 can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Columbus TX graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Columbus TX area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment 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 under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Columbus TX electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Columbus home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Columbus TX, confirm that the programs you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 Columbus TX?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Columbus TX area.

Columbus, Texas

Columbus is a city in Colorado County in southeastern Texas, United States, 74 miles (119 km) west of Houston. The population was 3,655 as of the 2010 census.[3] It is the county seat of Colorado County [4] and is located on the Colorado River. The Colorado County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It is located along Interstate 10, on the southwest side of the Colorado River. Columbus is in the north-central part of Colorado County at 29°42′21″N 96°32′46″W / 29.70583°N 96.54611°W / 29.70583; -96.54611 (29.705822, -96.546223).[5]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Columbus has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[6]

The location could not be found.

Pick the Right Electrician Technical School near Columbus TX

Picking the best electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you choose is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Columbus TX.

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