How to Become an Electrician in Harlan Iowa
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Harlan IA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are so many variables to examine. For example, many prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their home. After they have found several that are within driving distance, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole factors that must be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should influence your final judgment when choosing an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Harlan IA
There are three general options to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Harlan IA. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the three most typical programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Iowa trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by Iowa community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Iowa colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Harlan IA can carry out a wide range of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 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 important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only provides a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Schools Online in Harlan IA
An option that you might have considered is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning might be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Driving costs from Harlan IA are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available online as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your training options. Because there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Harlan IA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Verify that the Harlan IA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also signify 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 list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Harlan IA students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Harlan IA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Harlan IA electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Harlan residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized instruction 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 witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Harlan IA, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Harlan IA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Harlan IA area.
Harlan, Iowa
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 5,106 people, 2,222 households, and 1,341 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,163.1 inhabitants per square mile (449.1/km2). There were 2,410 housing units at an average density of 549.0 per square mile (212.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 2,222 households of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.88.
The median age in the city was 43.8 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.
Pick the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Harlan IA
Choosing the best electrical training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Harlan IA.
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