Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Newington VA 22122

How to Become an Electrician in Newington Virginia

Newington VA electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Newington VA. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are a number of variables to consider. For instance, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the only things that need to be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Newington VA

Newington VA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Newington VA. You can select 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 first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are short explanations of the 3 most common programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Virginia technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are offered by Virginia community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Virginia colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Newington VA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Newington VA can carry out a wide range of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but normally around four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be acquired in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves 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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Newington VA

attending electrician school online in Newington VA An alternative that you may have contemplated is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting expenses from Newington VA are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Newington VA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Newington VA area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before selecting an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Newington VA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can produce 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Newington VA students acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training 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 within their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Newington VA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Newington VA electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Newington residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Newington VA, verify that the programs you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Newington VA?

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

Newington, Virginia

Newington is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 12,943 at the 2010 census.[3] The 2010 census showed a significant decrease after half the population was split off to the newly created Newington Forest CDP.

Newington is located in southern Fairfax County at 38°44′7″N 77°12′13″W / 38.73528°N 77.20361°W / 38.73528; -77.20361 (38.735414, -77.203558).[4] It is bordered to the north by Springfield, to the northeast by Franconia and Kingstowne, to the east and southeast by Fort Belvoir, to the southwest by Lorton, to the west by Newington Forest, and to the northwest by West Springfield. Interstate 95 passes through the middle of the CDP, with access from Exit 166 (Virginia Route 286, the Fairfax County Parkway). Washington, D.C. is 16 miles (26 km) to the northeast via I-95 and I-395, and Fredericksburg is 37 miles (60 km) to the southwest. The Fairfax County Parkway leads northwest 16 miles (26 km) to Interstate 66 between Fairfax and Centreville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Newington CDP has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km2), of which 4.6 square miles (11.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.97%, is water.[3]

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Pick the Ideal Electrician Vocational School near Newington VA

Picking the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are several things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical training program that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers different options for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your final 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 school you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Newington VA.