Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Old Lyme CT 06371

How to Become an Electrician in Old Lyme Connecticut

Old Lyme CT electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Old Lyme CT. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of factors to examine. For instance, many potential students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have found some that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the sole things that must be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Old Lyme CT

Old Lyme CT electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general ways to receive electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Old Lyme CT. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are short explanations of the three most common programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by Connecticut vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are provided by Connecticut junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Connecticut institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Guidelines

Old Lyme CT electricians working on power lines Electricians in Old Lyme CT can perform a vast array of services, such as 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 required to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 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 important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only furnishes a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to take in the future.

Attending Electrician Schools Online in Old Lyme CT

attending electrician school online in Old Lyme CT An option that you might have considered is selecting an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Old Lyme CT are also minimized and some of the study materials may be accessed online as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Old Lyme CT electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Since there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Old Lyme CT area, 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 online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional variables that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess before selecting an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Old Lyme CT school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states mandate that the electrician training course 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 complete the course. A low completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may result in 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 a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Old Lyme CT grads obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Old Lyme CT area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Old Lyme CT electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Old Lyme home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging 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 experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure 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 at night or on weekends near Old Lyme CT, check that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Old Lyme CT?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Old Lyme CT area.

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Old Lyme is a coastal town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Main Street of the town, Lyme Street, is a historic district. The town has long been a popular summer resort and artists' colony. The town is named after Lyme Regis, England.

The US headquarters of Sennheiser is located in Old Lyme, as is Callaway Cars, the Florence Griswold Museum (including the Florence Griswold House), the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and the Lyme Art Association. Old Lyme and its neighboring town Lyme are the namesake for Lyme disease.

Old Lyme is a community of about 7,600 permanent residents, in addition to several thousand seasonal vacationers who occupy a seaside community of summer residences. It is located on the east bank of the Connecticut River at its confluence with the Long Island Sound, across the river from Old Saybrook on the west bank. Numerous examples of Colonial and Federal architecture can be found throughout the town.

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Enroll in the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Old Lyme CT

Selecting the right electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. 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 considering. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are examining includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Old Lyme CT.