How to Become an Electrician in Weyers Cave Virginia
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Weyers Cave VA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many points to examine. For example, many potential students will start by looking for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified a few that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the sole things that need to be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are available.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Weyers Cave VA
There are three general options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Weyers Cave VA. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Bellow are short explanations of the three most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Virginia vocational and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are provided by Virginia community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Virginia institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Weyers Cave VA can perform a vast array of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in various specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves three 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Programs Online in Weyers Cave VA
An option that you may have considered is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more accommodating alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Commuting expenses from Weyers Cave VA are also minimized and some of the study materials may be available on line also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Weyers Cave VA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned 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 while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research before selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Weyers Cave VA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to employ 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 trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Weyers Cave VA graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Weyers Cave VA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Weyers Cave VA electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Weyers Cave residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Weyers Cave VA, verify that the schools you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Weyers Cave VA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Weyers Cave VA area.
Weyers Cave, Virginia
Weyers Cave (/ˈwɪərz/ WEERZ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Augusta County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,473 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Staunton–Waynesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Weyers Cave is the site of the first chapter (1927) of the Future Farmers of Virginia, later to become the National FFA Organization. It is also the site of Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport and the main campus of Blue Ridge Community College.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,225 people, 462 households, and 354 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 185.1 people per square mile (71.4/km²). There were 490 housing units at an average density of 74.1/sq mi (28.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.73% White, 0.90% African American, 0.08% Asian, 0.98% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Weyers Cave VA
Choosing the right electrical training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world context, and the training program should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Each program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Weyers Cave VA.
Other Cool Cities in Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 67
1 Reviews 2 Reviews 
2 Reviews 