How to Become an Electrician in Steuben Maine
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Steuben ME. But with so many technical schools to select from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many factors to examine. For instance, many prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have found some that are within driving range, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the only factors that should be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician 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 instructional options that are available.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Steuben ME
There are multiple ways to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Steuben ME. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short explanations of the three most common programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Maine vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are provided by Maine junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Maine colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be carried out prior to licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Steuben ME can undertake a wide range of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing 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 be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Steuben ME
An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, distance learning can be a more accommodating alternative for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Travelling expenses from Steuben ME are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line as well. Each of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Training Schools
When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Steuben ME area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Steuben 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 get a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training course 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which can mean 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 an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Steuben ME grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Steuben ME area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Steuben ME electrical contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Steuben residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Steuben ME, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Steuben ME?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Steuben ME area.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand Steuben (born Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben; September 17, 1730 – November 28, 1794), also referred to as Baron von Steuben (German: [fɔn ˈʃtɔʏbn̩]), was a Prussian and later an American military officer. He served as Inspector General and a Major General of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is credited with being one of the fathers of the Continental Army in teaching them the essentials of military drills, tactics, and disciplines.[1] He wrote Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, the book that served as the standard United States drill manual until the War of 1812.[2] He served as General George Washington's chief of staff in the final years of the war.
Baron von Steuben was born in the fortress town of Magdeburg, Germany, on September 17, 1730, the son of Royal Prussian Engineer Capt. Baron Wilhelm von Steuben and his wife, Elizabeth von Jagvodin.[3] When his father entered the service of Empress Anna of Russia, young Friedrich came with him to the Crimea and then to Kronstadt, staying until the Russian war against the Turks under General Burkhard Christoph von Münnich. In 1740, Steuben's father returned to Prussia and Friedrich was educated in the garrison towns Neisse and Breslau by Jesuits. Despite his military education by a Catholic order, von Steuben remained critical of Roman Catholicism.[4]:63 Originally, von Steuben's family were Protestants in the Kingdom of Prussia, and after his emigration to America he became a member of the Reformed German Church, a Reformed congregation in New York.[5] It is said that at age 14 he served as a volunteer with his father in one of the campaigns of the War of the Austrian Succession.
Baron von Steuben joined the Prussian Army at age 17.[6] He served as a second lieutenant during the Seven Years' War in 1756, and was wounded at the 1757 Battle of Prague.[6] He served as adjutant to the free battalion of General Johann von Mayr and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1759.[6] In August 1759 he was wounded a second time at the Battle of Kunersdorf.[6] In June 1761, he was appointed deputy quartermaster at the general headquarters. Later that year he was taken prisoner by the Russians at Treptow.[6] He subsequently attained the rank of captain, and served as aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great; in 1762 he was one of 13 young officers chosen to participate in a special course of instruction delivered by the king himself.[7]
Choose the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Steuben ME
Selecting the ideal electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical 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 assess and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction 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 provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Steuben ME.
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