Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Urbana IL 61801

How to Become an Electrician in Urbana Illinois

Urbana IL electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Urbana IL. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many points to evaluate. For example, some students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have found some that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only factors that must be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your final judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are accessible.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Urbana IL

Urbana IL electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general options to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Urbana IL. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the 3 most typical programs available.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Illinois technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees take 2 years to finish and are provided by Illinois junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Illinois institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites

Urbana IL electricians working on power linesElectricians in Urbana IL can undertake a vast array of tasks, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves three 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you choose not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Urbana IL

attending electrician school online in Urbana ILAn option that you might have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more convenient choice for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting expenses from Urbana IL are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Urbana IL electrician re-wiring circuit panelOnce you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Urbana IL region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  A large number of electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Verify that the Urbana IL program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician schools you are looking at 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 might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It could also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high 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 use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Urbana IL grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Urbana IL area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Urbana IL electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Urbana residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Urbana IL, verify that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Urbana IL?

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

Urbana, Illinois

Urbana /ɜːrˈbænə/ is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States.[3] The population is estimated at 41,989 as of July 1, 2017.[4] Urbana is the tenth-most populous city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is included in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.

The Urbana area was first settled in 1822,[5] when it was called "Big Grove".[6] When the county of Champaign was organized in 1833, the county seat was located on 40 acres of land tendered by Col. M. W. Busey, considered to be the city's founder, and the name "Urbana" was adopted[5] after Urbana, Ohio, the hometown of State Senator Vance.[6] The creation of the new town was celebrated for the first time in July 4, 1833.[6]

The first mills were founded c.1838-50, and stores began opening beginning in 1834. The town's first church was built c.1840, with the Baptist Church following in 1855, and the Methodist Church in 1856. The Presbyterian Church was founded in 1856.[7] The city's first school was built in 1854.[5]

The location could not be found.

Choose the Right Electrician Trade School near Urbana IL

Choosing the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world context, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification also. Probably The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Urbana IL.

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