Questions to Ask Electrician Tech Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nOnce you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Lanham MD area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 2 that we talked about 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 chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are additional factors that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical tech school.<\/p>\n
Accreditation. <\/strong>Numerous electrician vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Lanham MD program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.<\/p>\nHigh Completion and Placement Rates. <\/strong>Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to train 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 can mean more contacts for the school to employ 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 Lanham MD grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.<\/p>\nApprenticeship Programs. <\/strong>A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Lanham MD area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.<\/p>\nModern Facilities. <\/strong>Make certain that the school 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, talk to the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Lanham MD electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Lanham home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.<\/p>\nSmaller Classes. <\/strong>It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to several 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 certifications or degrees they hold.<\/p>\nFlexible Scheduling. <\/strong>Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Lanham MD, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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, sickness or family issues.<\/p>\nConsidering Attending an Electrician School near Lanham MD?<\/h3>\n
Following is a little bit of background information about the Lanham MD area.<\/p>\n
Lanham, Maryland<\/h3>
Lanham is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland.[1] As of the 2010 United States Census it had a population of 10,157.[2] The New Carrollton station (the terminus of the Washington Metro's Orange Line) as well as an Amtrak station are across the Capital Beltway in New Carrollton, Maryland. Doctors Community Hospital is located in Lanham.[3]<\/p><\/div>\n