How to Become an Electrician in Stephenson West Virginia
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Stephenson WV. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many factors to consider. For example, some potential students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified several that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only things that should be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Stephenson WV
There are three general approaches to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Stephenson WV. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are short explanations of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by West Virginia trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to finish and are offered by West Virginia junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some West Virginia colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Stephenson WV can carry out a vast array of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually about four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails 3 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 trade school that you choose not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Stephenson WV
An option that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting costs from Stephenson WV are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Stephenson WV region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Many electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Stephenson WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified 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 more extensive list of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Stephenson WV grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Stephenson WV area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed 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, consult with the electrical tech you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Stephenson WV electrical contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Stephenson residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with some of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools 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 Stephenson WV, verify that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Stephenson WV?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Stephenson WV area.
Stephenson, West Virginia
Stephenson is an unincorporated community in Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States. Part of the community was known as Devils Fork until 1935.[1] The community was named after W. G. Stephenson, a mining official.[2]
Pick the Right Electrical Tech School near Stephenson WV
Picking the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training program that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to decide what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each program provides different options for certification also. Probably the best means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Invest some time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Stephenson WV.
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