Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Rocky Mount VA 24151

How to Become an Electrician in Rocky Mount Virginia

Rocky Mount VA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Rocky Mount VA. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are so many factors to examine. For example, some potential students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified a few that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that should be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when picking an electrician school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Rocky Mount VA

Rocky Mount VA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several approaches to receive electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Rocky Mount VA. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Virginia vocational and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are provided by Virginia junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Virginia institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria

Rocky Mount VA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Rocky Mount VA can carry out a multitude of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically evaluate 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 him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in several specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes three levels of proficiency:

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 trade school that you select not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Rocky Mount VA

attending electrician school online in Rocky Mount VA A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs have become more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Travelling expenses from Rocky Mount VA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Rocky Mount VA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Rocky Mount VA area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Rocky Mount VA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it 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 low completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, 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 affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Rocky Mount VA graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical 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 inside their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Rocky Mount VA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Rocky Mount VA electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Rocky Mount home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some 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 opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Rocky Mount VA, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Rocky Mount VA?

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

Rocky Mount, Virginia

Rocky Mount is a town in and the county seat of Franklin County, Virginia, United States.[1] The town is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, and had a population of 4,799 as of the 2010 census.[2] It is located in the Roanoke Region of Virginia.[3]

Although Robert Hill built a block house (fortified residence and trading post) in the 1740s, the first English colonists arrived here in 1760, and they named Rocky Mount for a steep cliff near the town. The area originally consisted of two adjacent villages, Rocky Mount and Mount Pleasant. Washington Iron Furnace was built by James Callaway and Jeremiah Early on what is now Main Street slightly outside what is now the historic district, and operated by Calloway's heirs and Peter Saunders until damaged by a flood in 1850, with rebuilding stopped by the Civil War. The first court session was held at Rocky Mount in 1786 following the Revolutionary War, in Callaway's home until he deeded land to the town on which to build the (log) courthouse. Rocky Mount had a post office in 1795. The town was divided into lots in 1804. Jeremiah's son John Early represented the county (part-time) in the Virginia House of Delegates and served as sheriff as well as operated a plantation nearby. The courthouse was replaced in 1831. By 1836 the iron furnace employed 100 people and the town had about 275 residents, included 30 homes and several businesses including 3 grocery stores and a newspaper/printing office. The oldest dwelling is "Mount Pleasant", built overlooking the courthouse in 1829 for Caleb Tate (the court clerk from 1797-1835); the detached brick kitchen built circa 1820 is the oldest building in town. The Rocky Mount Turnpike Company incorporated in 1846 and a bank shortly afterward, but neither prospered.[4]

During the Civil War, numerous planter families from the Tidewater region sought refuge in Rocky Mount, and many brought substantial numbers of slaves with them. Among these were the immediate past governor, Henry A. Wise, who settled his family here before he became a Confederate general. Jubal Anderson Early, who became a Confederate general during the war, was born on a farm nearby, and served as one term in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the county (succeeded by his mentor Norborne Taliaferro, who later became a judge) and more than a decade as Commonwealth's attorney (prosecutor) before the war, then resumed his legal practice here and in Lynchburg, Virginia after the war's end (although the building which served as his law office was razed in 1937). The only building constructed in that era and surviving today was constructed for Dr. Thomas Greer in 1861. Two other buildings constructed in 1850-1854 and used as law offices still survive. The town's clerk, Robert A. Scott, issued scrip to assist families of Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, and the Confederate government also requisitioned slaves from various county landowners to work on Richmond's defenses. The town experienced no battles, although Union Gen. George Stoneman and troops passed through the county in the war's final days. In 1867, the Freedman's Bureau under William F. DeKnight opened a Sunday school in Rocky Mount, about a third of whose residents at the time were African American, but efforts to establish a day school didn't succeed until much later, which is one of the reasons Booker Taliaferro Washington, born enslaved in Franklin County, moved with his mother to West Virginia for his education, and later studied at the Hampton Institute at the other side of the state.[5]

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Pick the Right Electrician Trade School near Rocky Mount VA

Selecting the ideal electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every program provides different options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Rocky Mount VA.