How to Become an Electrician in Elizabeth West Virginia
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Elizabeth WV. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are a number of points to evaluate. For instance, many prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their home. Once they have located several that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the sole things that need to be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are offered.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Elizabeth WV
There are several approaches to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Elizabeth WV. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by West Virginia trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to complete and are provided by West 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 join their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain West Virginia institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements
Electricians in Elizabeth WV can perform a vast array of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be acquired in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you choose not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Programs Online in Elizabeth WV
A possibility that you may have considered is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Travelling costs from Elizabeth WV are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Elizabeth WV area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain 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 Elizabeth WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get an excellent education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It could also suggest that the teachers were not competent 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 result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Elizabeth WV graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational 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 working relationships with Elizabeth WV area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Elizabeth WV electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Elizabeth home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training 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 students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Elizabeth WV, verify that the programs you are looking at provide 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 because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Elizabeth WV?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Elizabeth WV area.
Elizabeth, West Virginia
The site of Elizabeth was first settled by William Beauchamp (1743-1808) in 1796 when it was still part of the original, vast Harrison County, Virginia. It was known as "Beauchamp's Mills" until 1817 when it was renamed for Elizabeth (Woodyard) Beauchamp (1780-1838), the wife of William's son David Beauchamp (1776-1828).[8][9] Elizabeth was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1822[10] and became the county seat when Wirt County was created in 1848.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elizabeth has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 823 people, 377 households, and 228 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,751.1 inhabitants per square mile (676.1/km2). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 929.8 per square mile (359.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.4% White, 0.7% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2% of the population.
Enroll in the Right Electrician Technical School near Elizabeth WV
Picking the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are examining includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type 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 unique options for certification also. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you select is the ideal one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Elizabeth WV.
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