Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Lee IL 60530

How to Become an Electrician in Lee Illinois

Lee IL electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Lee IL. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are so many variables to consider. For instance, many potential students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have found several that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only factors that need to be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Lee IL

Lee IL electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general approaches to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Lee IL. You may select a certificate or diploma 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 made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the three most typical programs available.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Illinois trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards those who wish to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by Illinois junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Illinois colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. For that reason, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Lee IL electricians working on power lines Electricians in Lee IL can undertake a multitude of tasks, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be acquired in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails 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 trade school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Lee IL

attending electrician school online in Lee IL An alternative that you may have looked at is choosing an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more convenient choice for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling costs from Lee IL are also reduced and some of the study materials may be accessed online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Lee IL electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Lee IL area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first two that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before choosing an electrical trade school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Lee IL school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can result in 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 Lee IL graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Lee IL area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Lee IL electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Lee home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Lee IL, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, 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 Lee IL?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Lee IL area.

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Find the Right Electrician Technical School near Lee IL

Selecting the ideal electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, 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 provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each training program offers different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Invest some time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Lee IL.