Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Rockford IL 61101

How to Become an Electrician in Rockford Illinois

Rockford IL electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Rockford IL. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of points to examine. For instance, some students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have located a few that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole things that must be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician school. We will discuss 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 choices that are accessible.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Rockford IL

Rockford IL electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several ways to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Rockford IL. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most typical programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Illinois vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who want to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to finish and are provided by Illinois community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain Illinois institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be completed before licensing. Therefore, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines

Rockford IL electricians working on power lines Electricians in Rockford IL can undertake a multitude of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about four to five years of practical experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be obtained in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 3 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Rockford IL

attending electrician school online in Rockford IL A possibility that you might have looked at is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools have become more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning might be a more accommodating alternative for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Travelling costs from Rockford IL are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Topics to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Rockford IL electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Rockford IL area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Rockford IL program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly imperative 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 can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Rockford IL graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Rockford IL area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Rockford IL electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Rockford home. Remember 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 desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Rockford IL, check that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Rockford IL?

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

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, the 171st most populous city in the United States,[6] the largest city in Illinois outside the Chicago metropolitan area, and the city of the 148th most populous metropolitan area in the United States.[7] It is the county seat of Winnebago County and is located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. A small portion of Rockford dips down into neighboring Ogle County. According to 2010 census data, the City of Rockford had a population of 152,871, with an outlying metropolitan area population of 348,360, which was estimated to have decreased to 150,251 and 344,623, respectively, by July 2013. During 2017, a special census was completed putting the population at 153,379.[3]

Settled in the mid-1830s, the position of the city on the Rock River made its location strategic for industrial development. In the second half of the 19th century, Rockford was notable for its output of heavy machinery and tools; by the twentieth century, it was the second leading center of furniture manufacturing in the nation, and 94th largest city. During the second half of the 20th century, Rockford struggled alongside many Rust Belt cities. Since the late 1990s, efforts in economic diversification have led to growth of automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries, as well as the undertaking of various tourism and downtown revitalization efforts.

Nicknamed the Forest City, Rockford is known for various venues of cultural or historical significance, including Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Arboretum, Tinker Swiss Cottage, the BMO Harris Bank Center, the Coronado Theatre, the Laurent House, and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Its contributions to music are noted in the Mendelssohn Club, the oldest music club in the nation, and performers such as Phantom Regiment and Cheap Trick.

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Pick the Right Electrical Tech School near Rockford IL

Choosing the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new trade. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training program that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification also. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you pick is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Rockford IL.