How to Become an Electrician in Lamesa Texas
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Lamesa TX. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of variables to evaluate. For instance, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. After they have located several that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the only factors that need to be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Lamesa TX
There are multiple options to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Lamesa TX. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most typical programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Texas vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to finish and are provided by Texas junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Texas colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Lamesa TX can perform a multitude of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, along with 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 can be acquired in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails three 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician tech school that you select not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Programs Online in Lamesa TX
A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning might be a more convenient choice for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Lamesa TX are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available online also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to focus your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Lamesa TX region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Many electrician vocational schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Lamesa TX school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Lamesa TX students secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Lamesa TX area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish 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 working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Lamesa TX electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Lamesa residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Lamesa TX, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lamesa TX?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Lamesa TX area.
Lamesa, Texas
Lamesa (/ləˈmiːsə/ lə-MEE-sə)[3] is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, Texas, United States.[4] The population was 9,422 at the 2010 census,[5] down from 9,952 at the 2000 census. Located south of Lubbock on the Llano Estacado, Lamesa was founded in 1903. Most of the economy is based on cattle ranching and cotton farming. The Preston E. Smith prison unit, named for the former governor of Texas, is located just outside Lamesa.[6]
Lamesa is located in the center of Dawson County at 32°44′4″N 101°57′29″W / 32.73444°N 101.95806°W / 32.73444; -101.95806 (32.734439, -101.958190).[7]U.S. Highway 87 (Lynn Avenue) passes through the eastern side of the city, leading north 61 miles (98 km) to Lubbock and southeast 44 miles (71 km) to Big Spring. U.S. Highway 180 passes through the center of town as 4th Street and leads west 41 miles (66 km) to Seminole and east 62 miles (100 km) to Snyder. Texas State Highway 137 passes through the city as Bryan Avenue and leads northwest 38 miles (61 km) to Brownfield and south 45 miles (72 km) to Stanton. Texas State Highway 349 branches off Highway 137 south of Lamesa and leads southwest 55 miles (89 km) to Midland.
The Dal Paso Museum, a collection of local artifacts housed in an impressive former hotel, is located in downtown Lamesa. The name is derived from the fact that Lamesa is located on the table land of the Staked Plains. On display are home furnishings, pioneer tools, and ranch and farm equipment. There are also exhibits by local artists. The museum, at 306 South First Street, has limited afternoon hours to the public.[8]
Pick the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Lamesa TX
Picking the right electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Lamesa TX.
Other Cool Cities in Texas
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
2 Reviews 