How to Become an Electrician in Jewett City Connecticut
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Jewett City CT. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many variables to examine. For instance, many prospective students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have identified several that are within driving distance, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the sole factors that should be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are accessible.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Jewett City CT
There are three general options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Jewett City CT. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Connecticut technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require 2 years to complete and are provided by Connecticut community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Connecticut institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be completed prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Jewett City CT can carry out a multitude of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes three levels of competency:
- 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 crucial that the electrician vocational school that you select not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Schools Online in Jewett City CT
An option that you may have contemplated is choosing an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning can be a more practical choice for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving costs from Jewett City CT are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Jewett City CT region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Jewett City CT school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 complete the program. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the teachers were not competent 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 list of graduates, 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 validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Jewett City CT students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Jewett City CT area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area 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 working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Jewett City CT electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Jewett City residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Jewett City CT, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Jewett City CT?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Jewett City CT area.
Jewett City, Connecticut
Jewett City is a borough in New London County, Connecticut, in the town of Griswold. The population was 3,487 at the 2010 census.[2] The borough was named for Eliezer Jewett, who founded a settlement there in 1771.[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), of which 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), or 4.00%, is water.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,053 people, 1,337 households, and 743 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,213.9 people per square mile (1,637.2/km²). There were 1,464 housing units at an average density of 2,020.7/sq mi (785.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.07% White, 2.46% African American, 0.88% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.85% of the population.
Pick the Ideal Electrical Technical School near Jewett City CT
Selecting the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each training program provides unique options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Jewett City CT.
Other Cool Cities in Connecticut
Business Results 1 - 10 of 323
1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 2 Reviews 