How to Become an Electrician in Independence Iowa
The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Independence IA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are so many factors to consider. For example, some potential students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that need to be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Independence IA
There are three general approaches to get electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Independence IA. You may 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. Frequently these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are brief summaries of the three most typical programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Iowa technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are provided by Iowa junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain Iowa institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements
Electricians in Independence IA can carry out a wide range of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online in Independence IA
An option that you might have contemplated is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling costs from Independence IA are also minimized and some of the study materials can be available online as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational 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 Training Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Independence IA region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are additional variables that must be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical 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, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Independence IA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might 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 broader directory of graduates, which may mean 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Independence IA students obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Independence IA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Independence IA electrical contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Independence residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure 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 at night or on weekends near Independence IA, check that the programs you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Independence IA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Independence IA area.
Independence, Iowa
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.22 square miles (16.11 km2), of which, 6.08 square miles (15.75 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[1]
This region generally has significant seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfa". (Hot Summer Continental Climate).[8]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 5,966 people, 2,521 households, and 1,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 981.3 inhabitants per square mile (378.9/km2). There were 2,745 housing units at an average density of 451.5 per square mile (174.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
Choose the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Independence IA
Picking 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 a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training program that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world context, and the training program should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every program provides different options for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Independence IA.
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