How to Become an Electrician in Ballard West Virginia
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Ballard WV. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are a number of factors to evaluate. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have located some that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician school. We will address 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 available.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Ballard WV
There are multiple options to obtain electrician training in a trade or technical school near Ballard WV. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by West Virginia trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to finish and are provided by West Virginia junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain West Virginia institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Ballard WV can undertake a vast array of services, 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 be licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, 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 important that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Ballard WV
An alternative that you might have contemplated is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Commuting costs from Ballard WV are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Ballard WV region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other variables that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze before enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Ballard WV program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate may signify that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train 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 use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Ballard WV students secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Ballard WV area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Ballard WV electrical company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Ballard home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to several of the students and get their comments 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 hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Ballard WV, check that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Ballard WV?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Ballard WV area.
Ballard, West Virginia
Ballard is an unincorporated community in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. Ballard is located on West Virginia Route 12 north of Peterstown. Ballard has a post office with ZIP code 24918.[2]
Ballard is home to Ballard Christian School, which was formed in 1977. The closest high school is James Monroe High, which serves all of Monroe County. The town is also home to a variety of churches and several small business.
Select the Ideal Electrician Vocational School near Ballard WV
Picking the right electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides unique possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Ballard WV.
Other Cool Cities in West Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 5
3 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
5 Reviews 