How to Become an Electrician in Lakin Kansas
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Lakin KS. But with numerous technical schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are so many variables to consider. For example, many students will commence by looking for schools that are close to their residence. When they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important, they are not the sole qualifications that should be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final decision when selecting an electrician school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are offered.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Lakin KS
There are multiple options to get electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Lakin KS. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the three most typical programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Kansas vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to finish and are offered by Kansas community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Kansas colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed before licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements
Electricians in Lakin KS can perform a multitude of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly test 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 distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be obtained in various specialties, such as 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Training Classes in Lakin KS
An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely 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, internet learning may be a more accommodating option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting costs from Lakin KS are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available online as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Training Schools
When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Lakin KS area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are other variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools 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 pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Lakin KS school and program are 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 acquire a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited in order 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It could also signify that the teachers 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 alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Lakin KS students secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Lakin KS area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish 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 using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Lakin KS electrical contracting company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Lakin 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 fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much one-on-one 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 instructors. Speak to a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
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 at night or on weekends near Lakin KS, confirm that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Lakin KS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Lakin KS area.
Lakin, Kansas
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,216 people, 781 households, and 573 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,261.2 inhabitants per square mile (873.1/km2). There were 851 housing units at an average density of 868.4 per square mile (335.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 8.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.9% of the population.
There were 781 households of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 30.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.6% male and 49.4% female.
Select the Right Electrical Tech School near Lakin KS
Selecting the right electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be current and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every program provides unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Lakin KS.
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