Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Schaumburg IL 60159

How to Become an Electrician in Schaumburg Illinois

Schaumburg IL electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Schaumburg IL. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many variables to examine. For example, many prospective students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their home. Once they have located several that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the only factors that need to be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Schaumburg IL

Schaumburg IL electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple approaches to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Schaumburg IL. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are short explanations of the 3 most common programs available.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Illinois technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are offered by Illinois junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Illinois colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Schaumburg IL electricians working on power lines Electricians in Schaumburg IL can perform a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around four to five years of experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be acquired in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails 3 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 imperative that the electrician tech school that you choose not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Schaumburg IL

attending electrician school online in Schaumburg IL A possibility that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more accommodating option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Travelling costs from Schaumburg IL are also minimized and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. 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 questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Schaumburg IL electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Schaumburg IL region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before choosing an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Schaumburg IL school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize 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 also that it has the network of contacts to help Schaumburg IL graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

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

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Schaumburg IL electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Schaumburg home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult 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 with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Schaumburg IL, check that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Schaumburg IL?

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

Schaumburg, Illinois

Schaumburg /ˈʃɔːmbɜːrɡ/ is a village located in Cook County and DuPage County in northeastern Illinois, United States. The village is a northwestern suburb of Chicago and is part of the Golden Corridor.[4] Schaumburg is located roughly 28 miles (45 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop and approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of O'Hare International Airport. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 74,227.[5]

The village contains one of only two IKEA stores in Illinois. It contains the Woodfield Mall, the 11th largest mall in The United States according to List of largest shopping malls in the United States, which at most times has over 300 stores.[6] Schaumburg's transition from a rural community to that of a suburban metropolis began with Alfred Campanelli's first large scale suburban-style development in 1959 and Woodfield Mall's opening on September 9, 1971.

Schaumburg is bordered by Hoffman Estates and Palatine to the north, Rolling Meadows to the northeast, Elk Grove Village to the southeast, Roselle to the south, Hanover Park to the southwest, and Streamwood to the west.

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Choose the Ideal Electrician Technical School near Schaumburg IL

Picking the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have covered 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 prerequisite that any electrical tech school that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each training program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Schaumburg IL.