Electrician Classes Near Me in Lansing MI 48901 Archives

How to Become an Electrician in Lansing Michigan

Lansing MI electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Lansing MI. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. When they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the only things that should be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when choosing 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 training options that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Lansing MI

Lansing MI electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general ways to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Lansing MI. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the three most typical programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Michigan vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are offered by Michigan junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Michigan colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Guidelines

Lansing MI electricians working on power lines Electricians in Lansing MI can perform a wide range of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about four to five years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be acquired in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails three 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 crucial that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Schools in Lansing MI

attending electrician school online in Lansing MI An alternative that you may have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning can be a more practical alternative for students that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Driving costs from Lansing MI are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Lansing MI electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Lansing MI area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze before selecting an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have acquired 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 relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Lansing MI program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify 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 suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list 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 field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Lansing MI grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Lansing MI area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on 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 up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Lansing MI electrical contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Lansing residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Lansing MI, check that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, 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 due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lansing MI?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Lansing MI area.

Lansing, Michigan

Lansing /ˈlænsɪŋ/ is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2010 Census placed the city's population at 114,297,[7] making it the fifth largest city in Michigan. The population of its Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was 464,036, while the even larger Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population, which includes Shiawassee County, was 534,684. It was named the new state capital of Michigan in 1847, ten years after Michigan became a state.

The Lansing Metropolitan Area, colloquially referred to as "Mid-Michigan", is an important center for educational, cultural, governmental, commercial, and industrial functions. The area is home to two medical schools, one veterinary school, two nursing schools, two law schools—including Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and Michigan State University College of Law, the Michigan State Capitol, the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, a federal court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, and headquarters of four national insurance companies.

Lansing is the only U.S. state capital (among the 47 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The seat of government of Ingham County is Mason,[8] but the county maintains some offices in Lansing.[9]

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Select the Right Electrical Trade School near Lansing MI

Choosing the best electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Each training program offers unique options for certification also. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Lansing MI.