Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Hanover VA 23069

How to Become an Electrician in Hanover Virginia

Hanover VA electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Hanover VA. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many factors to consider. For instance, many students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have found several that are within driving distance, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole factors that should be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Hanover VA

Hanover VA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple options to get electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Hanover VA. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Virginia technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs require two years to finish and are provided by Virginia community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Virginia colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Hanover VA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Hanover VA can perform a wide range of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but normally around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in several specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Schools Online in Hanover VA

attending electrician school online in Hanover VA A possibility that you might have considered is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving costs from Hanover VA are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available on line also. All of these advantages can make electrician online vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Hanover VA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Hanover VA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the Hanover VA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states mandate 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which may mean 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Hanover VA students acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction 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 electrician companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Hanover VA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art 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 Hanover VA electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Hanover home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hanover VA, verify that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be 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 Hanover VA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Hanover VA area.

Hanover County, Virginia

Located in the western Tidewater region of Virginia, Hanover County was created on November 26, 1719, from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was named for the Electorate of Hanover in Germany, because King George I of Great Britain was Elector of Hanover at the time. The county was developed by planters moving west from the Virginia tidewater, where soils had been exhausted by tobacco monoculture.

Hanover County was the birthplace and home of noted American statesman Patrick Henry. He reportedly married Sarah Shelton in the parlor of her family's house, Rural Plains, also known as Shelton House. At the Hanover Courthouse, Henry argued the case of the Parson's Cause in 1763, attacking the British Crown's attempt to set the salaries of clergy in the colony regardless of conditions in the local economy. The historic Hanover Courthouse is pictured in the county seal. Hanover County was also the birthplace of Henry Clay, who became known as a politician in Kentucky, author of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and Secretary of State.

The Chickahominy River forms the border of the county in the Mechanicsville area. During the American Civil War and the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, the Union Army approached the river and could hear the bells of Richmond's churches. But they learned that the river was a major obstacle. Union General George B. McClellan failed in his attempt to get all his troops across it, intending to overwhelm the outnumbered Confederate forces defending Richmond. His failure to take Richmond has been said to have prolonged the war by almost 3 years. Hanover County was the site of Civil War battles due to its location between Richmond and northern Virginia, including the Seven Days Battles of the Peninsula Campaign and Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864.[3]

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Find the Right Electrical Trade School near Hanover VA

Choosing the right electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers different options for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school 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 Hanover VA.