How to Become an Electrician in Ashburn Georgia

The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Ashburn GA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many factors to examine. For instance, some potential students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have located several that are within driving range, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the sole things that should be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final decision when selecting an electrician training school. We will address 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 instructional options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Ashburn GA

There are several options to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Ashburn GA. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are short explanations of the 3 most typical programs available.

• Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Georgia technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
• Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Georgia community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Georgia colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Electricians in Ashburn GA can undertake a multitude 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 finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be acquired in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes three 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 crucial that the electrician tech school that you select not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Ashburn GA

A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more convenient choice for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting costs from Ashburn GA are also reduced and some of the study materials may be accessed online also. Each of these benefits can make electrician online trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

When you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Ashburn GA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The first two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Ashburn GA program 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 guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states require 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Ashburn GA grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Ashburn GA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Ashburn GA electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Ashburn residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Ashburn GA, check that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Ashburn GA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Ashburn GA area.

Find the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Ashburn GA

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are considering includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you choose is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Ashburn GA.

Other Cool Cities in Georgia

Business Results 1 - 10 of 1

Payne Electric & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2107 Yank Lamb Dr, Ste A, Tifton, GA 31793