Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Houston TX 77001

How to Become an Electrician in Houston Texas

Houston TX electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Houston TX. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are a number of variables to consider. For instance, many potential students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final judgment when selecting an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are available.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Houston TX

Houston TX electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple ways to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Houston TX. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the 3 most common programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Texas technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees involve two years to finish and are offered by Texas community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at some Texas institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Houston TX electricians working on power lines Electricians in Houston TX can undertake a multitude of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be earned in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Houston TX

attending electrician school online in Houston TX A possibility that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting costs from Houston TX are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Houston TX electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Houston TX region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. 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 critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Many electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Houston TX program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools 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 may signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train 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 may produce 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Houston TX grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Houston TX area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Houston TX electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Houston residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might 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 difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Houston TX, check that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Houston TX?

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

Houston

Houston (/ˈhjuːstən/ ( listen) HEW-stən) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the fourth most populous city in the United States, with a census-estimated population of 2.312 million in 2017.[7] It is the most populous city in the Southern United States[8] and on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, which is the fifth most populous MSA in the United States and the second most populous in Texas after the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. With a land area of 599.59 square miles (1,552.9 km2),[7] Houston is the ninth most expansive city in the United States.

Houston was founded by land speculators on August 30, 1836,[9] at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou (a point now known as Allen's Landing)[10] and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837.[11] The city is named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had won Texas' independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 miles (40 km) east of Allen's Landing.[11] After briefly serving as the capital of the Republic in the late 1830s, Houston grew steadily into a regional trading center for the remainder of the 19th century.[9] The arrival of the 20th century saw a convergence of economic factors which fueled rapid growth in Houston, including a burgeoning port and railroad industry, the decline of Galveston as Texas' primary port following a devastating 1900 hurricane, the subsequent construction of the Houston Ship Channel, and the Texas oil boom.[9] In the mid-20th century, Houston's economy diversified as it became home to the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.

Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. Leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment, Houston has the second most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after New York City).[12][13] The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.[14] Nicknamed the "Space City", Houston is a global city, with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine, and research. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is the most diverse metropolitan area in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S.[15] It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.[16]

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Enroll in the Right Electrical Trade School near Houston TX

Selecting the ideal electrical training program will probably 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 assess and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each training program offers different options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Houston TX.