How to Become an Electrician in Glenwood Springs Colorado
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Glenwood Springs CO. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many variables to examine. For example, some prospective students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the sole qualifications that should be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are available.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Glenwood Springs CO
There are three general approaches to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Glenwood Springs CO. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by Colorado technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve two years to finish and are provided by Colorado community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Colorado institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Glenwood Springs CO can perform a vast array of duties, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be earned in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- 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 important that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Glenwood Springs CO
An option that you may have considered is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, distance learning can be a more convenient choice for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Glenwood Springs CO are also minimized and some of the study materials may be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Glenwood Springs CO area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, 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 prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Glenwood Springs CO school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training program 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 program. A lower completion rate might signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It may also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Glenwood Springs CO grads obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical 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 electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Glenwood Springs CO area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Glenwood Springs CO electrical contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Glenwood Springs home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Glenwood Springs CO, check that the programs you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Glenwood Springs CO?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Glenwood Springs CO area.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Springs is the Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Garfield County, Colorado, United States.[9] Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River, threading together the Roaring Fork Valley and a series of smaller towns up and down the Colorado River. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 9,614.[10]
Glenwood Springs is best known as a historic destination for vacationers with diverse natural amenities, most particularly hot springs, but gentrification and development have introduced modern cultural, dining, and recreational activities as well. It is also home to two of the campuses and the administrative offices of the Colorado Mountain College system.
Glenwood Springs in 2015 was named the "Most Vibrant Small Town Arts Environment in the United States"[11] by Southern Methodist University and the 5th Best Place to Live in America[12] by Outside magazine. It was named the "Most Fun Town in America" by Rand McNally and USA Today in 2011.[13]
Find the Right Electrical Tech School near Glenwood Springs CO
Picking the ideal electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Every program provides different options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Glenwood Springs CO.
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