Questions to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nOnce you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Erie PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 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 chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.<\/p>\n
Accreditation. <\/strong>Numerous electrician technical programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Erie PA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.<\/p>\nHigh Completion and Placement Rates. <\/strong>Ask the electrician schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors 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 directory of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to use 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 additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Erie PA grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.<\/p>\nApprenticeship Programs. <\/strong>Numerous electrician trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Erie PA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.<\/p>\nModern Facilities. <\/strong>Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Erie PA electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Erie residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.<\/p>\nSmaller Classes. <\/strong>It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.<\/p>\nFlexible Scheduling. <\/strong>Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Erie PA, verify that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.<\/p>\nConsidering Attending an Electrician School near Erie PA?<\/h3>\n
Following is a little bit of background information about the Erie PA area.<\/p>\n
Erie, Pennsylvania<\/h3>
Erie \/\u02c8\u026a\u0259ri\/ is a city in and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, as well as the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania,[5] with a population of 101,786 at the 2010 census.[6] The estimated population in 2016 had decreased to 98,593.[4] The Erie metropolitan area, equivalent to all of Erie County, consists of 276,207 residents. The Erie-Meadville, PA Combined Statistical Area has a population of 369,331, as of the 2010 Census.<\/p>
Erie is halfway between the cities of Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, and due north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Erie's manufacturing sector remains prominent in the local economy, though health care, higher education, technology, service industries and tourism are emerging as significant economic drivers. Over four million people visit Erie during summer months for recreation at Presque Isle State Park, as well as attractions such as Splash Lagoon indoor water park, Waldameer Park, and the casino and horse racetrack named for the state park.<\/p>
Erie is known as the \"Flagship City\" because of its status as the home port of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara.[7] The city has also been called the \"Gem City\" because of the sparkling lake.[7] Erie won the All-America City Award in 1972, and in 2012 hosted the Perry 200,[8] a commemoration, celebrating 200 years of peace between England, America and Canada following the War of 1812 and Battle of Lake Erie.<\/p><\/div>\n