How to Become an Electrician in Oakdale Louisiana
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Oakdale LA. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are a number of factors to evaluate. For example, some prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have located some that are within driving range, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the only qualifications that must be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are accessible.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Oakdale LA
There are three general approaches to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Oakdale LA. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are short descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Louisiana trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are provided by Louisiana junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Louisiana institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. For that reason, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements
Electricians in Oakdale LA can perform a multitude of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about four to five years of prior experience is called for in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in several specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves three levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations 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 solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Schools in Oakdale LA
An option that you may have contemplated is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating choice for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Oakdale LA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line also. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Oakdale LA region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Many electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn 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 Oakdale LA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order 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 indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list 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 confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Oakdale LA grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Oakdale LA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Oakdale LA electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Oakdale residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Oakdale LA, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Oakdale LA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Oakdale LA area.
Oakdale, Louisiana
Oakdale was founded as "Dunnsville" by William T. Dunn. The history of Allen Parish is preserved at the Leatherwood Museum, which reopened on September 27, 2008, in a renovated facility at 202 E. 7th Ave. in Oakdale.[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 square miles (13.6 km2), of which 5.2 square miles (13.4 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.18%, is water.[3] Oakdale's closest neighbor in Allen Parish is Elizabeth, located just west of Oakdale.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 8,137 people, 2,246 households, and 1,525 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,603.6 people per square mile (619.7/km²). There were 2,512 housing units at an average density of 495.1 per square mile (191.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.07% White, 34.94% African American, 0.57% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.22% of the population.
Select the Ideal Electrician Vocational School near Oakdale LA
Choosing the right electrician training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are several things that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each training program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you decide on is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Oakdale LA.
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