How to Become an Electrician in Pitkin Colorado
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Pitkin CO. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, many students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have located a few that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole factors that need to be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are offered.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Pitkin CO
There are multiple approaches to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Pitkin CO. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are short summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Colorado technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are provided by Colorado community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Colorado institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Pitkin CO can perform a wide range of duties, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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 imperative that the electrician trade school that you select not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Pitkin CO
A possibility that you may have contemplated is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools have become more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient alternative for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Driving expenses from Pitkin CO are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Pitkin CO area, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to analyze before selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Pitkin CO school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states mandate that the electrician training program 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 or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also indicate that the instructors 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 alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to utilize 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Pitkin CO students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Pitkin CO area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Pitkin CO electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Pitkin home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized 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 see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Pitkin CO, check that the programs you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Pitkin CO?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Pitkin CO area.
Pitkin County, Colorado
Pitkin County is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,148.[1] The county seat is Aspen.[2] The county is named in honor of the late Colorado Governor Frederick Walker Pitkin. Pitkin County has the seventh-highest per capita income of any county in the United States.[3]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 973 square miles (2,520 km2), of which 971 sq mi (2,510 km2) is land and 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4] The high point of the county is Castle Peak, a fourteener with a height of 14,265 feet (4,348 m). It is located 20 miles (32 km) south of Aspen on the Gunnison County border.
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 14,872 people, 6,807 households, and 3,185 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 10,096 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.33% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.37% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Of the population, 6.54% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Choose the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Pitkin CO
Choosing the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to examine and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification also. Probably the best means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Pitkin CO.
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