How to Become an Electrician in Columbia Kentucky
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Columbia KY. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many variables to examine. For example, many prospective students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have identified several that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also important 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 training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are accessible.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Columbia KY
There are several approaches to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Columbia KY. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most typical programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Kentucky trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are provided by Kentucky community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Kentucky colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Columbia KY 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 be licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually 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 imperative that the electrician vocational school that you select not only provides a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs in Columbia KY
An alternative that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. 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. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Travelling costs from Columbia KY are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Columbia KY region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze before enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Columbia KY program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Columbia KY students secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Columbia KY area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Columbia KY electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Columbia residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and learn 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 handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Columbia KY, check that the programs you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Columbia KY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Columbia KY area.
Columbia, Kentucky
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 4,014 people, 1,554 households, and 893 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,167.9 per square mile (450.9/km2). There were 1,789 housing units at an average density of 520.5 per square mile (201.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.38% White, 7.37% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.
There were 1,554 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city, the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 19.1% from 20 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.
Find the Ideal Electrical Vocational School near Columbia KY
Choosing the best electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician tech school that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each training program provides different options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Columbia KY.
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