How to Become an Electrician in Sturgis Kentucky
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Sturgis KY. But with so many technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly because there are so many factors to evaluate. For example, many prospective students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have located several that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that need to be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Sturgis KY
There are three general approaches to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Sturgis KY. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most common programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Kentucky technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Kentucky junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Kentucky colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Sturgis KY can carry out a multitude of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically around four to five years of prior experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Training Classes in Sturgis KY
An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more practical alternative for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting costs from Sturgis KY are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Sturgis KY region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before selecting an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Sturgis KY program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify 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 could suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Sturgis KY graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Sturgis KY area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment 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 specialist you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Sturgis KY electrical contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Sturgis residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Sturgis KY, verify that the programs you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, check 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 Sturgis KY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Sturgis KY area.
Sturgis, Kentucky
Sturgis is a home rule-class city in Union County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,030 at the 2000 census. Located in northwest Kentucky, the city was founded in 1886 and named for Samuel Sturgis, who owned the land now occupied by the city.[2]
The area surrounding what would become Sturgis was first settled by American Revolutionary War officers, mostly from Virginia, who had received bounty land for their service. The History of Union County, published in 1886 by The Courier Co., says, "The county had its aristocrats but the [Civil] War had a decidedly leveling tendency yet, there is a tolerably well defined line still marking the society of the county into different sets."
Sturgis was founded the same year as a company town by the Cumberland Land and Iron Company within its coal-mining development. The name derives from either Samuel P. Sturgis, who originally owned the townsite, or for Alida Livingston Sturgis (Samuel's sister), who was married to the president and general manager of the Ohio Valley Railroad Company.[3] The community incorporated as a town on May 3, 1890, with population of 327.[4] The town was reclassified as a city in the 1920s.
Find the Right Electrical Tech School near Sturgis KY
Choosing the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are many things that you will need to examine and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician tech school that you are examining includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to offer a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every program provides unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Sturgis KY.
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