How to Become an Electrician in Greensburg Kentucky
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Greensburg KY. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many points to consider. For example, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have found several that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole factors that need to be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Greensburg KY
There are multiple ways to receive electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Greensburg KY. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are made available in conjunction 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 short descriptions of the three most typical programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by Kentucky technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to complete and are offered by Kentucky junior or 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 previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Kentucky institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Greensburg KY can undertake a vast array of tasks, 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 required to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally about four to five years of experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be obtained in several specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- 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 crucial that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online in Greensburg KY
A possibility that you might have looked at is choosing an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Driving costs from Greensburg KY are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Greensburg KY region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other factors that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Many electrician technical programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Greensburg KY program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire a superior education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, some 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also indicate 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 can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Greensburg KY students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Greensburg KY area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Greensburg KY electrical contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Greensburg home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to a few of the students and get their feedback relating to 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 have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Greensburg KY, check that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Greensburg KY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Greensburg KY area.
Greensburg, Kentucky
Greensburg is located east of the center of Green County at 37°15′35″N 85°29′52″W / 37.25972°N 85.49778°W / 37.25972; -85.49778 (37.259665, -85.497863),[5] on the north side of the Green River, a west-flowing tributary of the Ohio River. U.S. Route 68 passes through the city as Main Street; it leads northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Campbellsville and southwest 25 miles (40 km) to Edmonton. Kentucky Route 61 joins US 68 on Main Street through Greensburg; KY 61 leads northwest 40 miles (64 km) to Elizabethtown and southeast 19 miles (31 km) to Columbia.
Following the establishment of Green County (named for Revolutionary War Maj. General Nathanael Greene[6]) from parts of Lincoln and Nelson counties in 1792, Greensburg was laid out and established two years later as its eponymous seat of government.[7] It was incorporated as a city a year after that.[6] The central Public Square was also laid out in 1795 and has been retained as designed since then, with the only changes being the paving of the square with concrete and the installation of concrete dividers and parking meters in the four quadrants.[8]
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 2,396 people, 1,061 households, and 648 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,255.4 people per square mile (484.3/km²). There were 1,190 housing units at an average density of 623.5 per square mile (240.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.99% White, 4.63% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.
Find the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Greensburg KY
Choosing the right electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every training program provides different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Greensburg KY.
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