Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Washburn ME 04786

How to Become an Electrician in Washburn Maine

Washburn ME electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Washburn ME. But with numerous technical schools to pick from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are a number of points to evaluate. For instance, many prospective students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have located some that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are important, they are not the only factors that must be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training choices that are accessible.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Washburn ME

Washburn ME electrician re-wiring power outletThere are multiple options to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Washburn ME. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs available.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by Maine technical and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are provided by Maine community colleges, typically 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 earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Maine colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines

Washburn ME electricians working on power linesElectricians in Washburn ME can undertake a multitude of tasks, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of practical experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be earned in several specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases includes 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you choose not only delivers a strong educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in Washburn ME

attending electrician school online in Washburn MEAn option that you may have contemplated is selecting an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving expenses from Washburn ME are also reduced and some of the study materials may be available online as well. Each of these benefits can make electrician online trade schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Training Schools

Washburn ME electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Washburn ME region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze before choosing an electrical vocational school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Washburn ME program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician training programs 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 low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ 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 field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Washburn ME students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught along 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 electrical businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Washburn ME area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Washburn ME electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Washburn residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger 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 teachers and students. Speak to some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Washburn ME, check that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask 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 Washburn ME?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Washburn ME area.

Washburn, Maine

Washburn is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. It was incorporated on February 25, 1861, and named after Israel Washburn, the governor of Maine at the time. The population was 1,687 at the 2010 census. Benjamin C. Wilder House, which was built in 1852, is located on Main Street in Washburn and predates the town's incorporation by nine years.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.94 square miles (90.49 km2), of which 34.24 square miles (88.68 km2) is land and 0.70 square miles (1.81 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,687 people, 699 households, and 483 families residing in the town. The population density was 49.3 inhabitants per square mile (19.0/km2). There were 768 housing units at an average density of 22.4 per square mile (8.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

The location could not be found.

Find the Ideal Electrical Tech School near Washburn ME

Choosing the ideal electrical training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each training program offers different options for certification also. Probably the best way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Washburn ME.

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