How to Become an Electrician in Canton Kansas
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Canton KS. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many points to evaluate. For instance, some students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have found some that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only things that should be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician school. We will address that checklist in greater 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 offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Canton KS
There are multiple ways to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Canton KS. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are short descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Kansas trade and technical schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require 2 years to finish and are offered by Kansas community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Kansas institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Canton KS can perform a vast array of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around four to five years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in several specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes three levels of proficiency:
- 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 solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Canton KS
An option that you may have contemplated is selecting an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning can be a more convenient choice for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Canton KS are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Canton KS region, 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 degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other variables that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze before choosing an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Canton KS school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of 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 considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Canton KS grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician trade programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Canton KS area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school 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 presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Canton KS electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Canton residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in 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 challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify 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 Canton KS, 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, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Canton KS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Canton KS area.
Canton, Kansas
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
From the 1820s to the 1870s, one of the most significant land routes in the United States was the Santa Fe Trail. It was located southeast of Canton. Two DAR markers were located on the trail near Canton, one at the Jones Cemetery east of Canton, and another south of Canton.[8] The trail was active across McPherson County from 1821 to 1866.[9]
Enroll in the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Canton KS
Picking the right 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 many things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training program that you are evaluating includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides different options for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Canton KS.
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