How to Become an Electrician in Bernard Maine
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Bernard ME. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many variables to examine. For instance, some prospective students will commence by looking for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified several that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the sole qualifications that must be examined. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are available.
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Bernard ME
There are multiple options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Bernard ME. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by Maine technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to finish and are offered by Maine junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Maine colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be completed before licensing. For that reason, most students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Bernard ME can perform a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of practical experience is called for in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be acquired in numerous specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves 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 important that the electrician vocational school that you select not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Bernard ME
A possibility that you might have contemplated is choosing an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs are becoming more prevalent 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 get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more practical choice for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Bernard ME are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be available on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Since there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Bernard ME area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two 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 decision, there are other variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Bernard ME program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, some states mandate 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, 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 affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Bernard ME students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Bernard ME area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Bernard ME electrical contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Bernard home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation 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 difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
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 Bernard ME, confirm that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Bernard ME?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Bernard ME area.
Wait for Me, Daddy
Wait for Me, Daddy is a photo taken by Claude P. Dettloff on October 1, 1940, of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles) marching down Eighth Street at the Columbia Street intersection, New Westminster, Canada. While Dettloff was taking the photo, Warren "Whitey" Bernard ran away from his mother to his father, Private Jack Bernard. The picture received extensive exposure and was used in war-bond drives.[1]
On Saturday August 26, 1939, Hitler was threatening Poland and demanding Danzig. At 4:15 13 seconds that morning the Regimental Adjutant in British Columbia, Canada received a call from the Canadian capital instructing him to call out the British Columbia Regiment.[2] Soldiers fanned out in the city to guard vulnerable points. On September 10, 1939, the Parliament of Canada declared war against the German Reich, which had invaded Poland on the first of the month. While other units were sent to the United Kingdom, the British Columbia Regiment was left behind on the west coast. After months of drills and guard duty the regiment was ordered out and on October 1, 1940, marched to New Westminster to catch a waiting ship, the SS Princess Joan,[3] to their secret destination.[4]
Coming down Eighth Street in New Westminster, Canadian photographer Claude P. Dettloff of The Province newspaper positioned himself to photograph the whole column marching down the hill. As he was getting ready to take the picture, he saw a young boy run out onto the road; Wait for Me, Daddy captures the image of the boy, five-year-old Warren "Whitey" Bernard, running out of his mother's grasp to his father. The picture Dettloff captured was picked up all over the world, getting exposure in Life; it hung in every school in British Columbia during the war.[1]
Select the Right Electrician Vocational School near Bernard ME
Picking the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world context, 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 offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers different possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal way 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 sure that you are confident that the program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Bernard ME.
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