How to Become an Electrician in Wesley Maine
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Wesley ME. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of variables to examine. For instance, some students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified several that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant, they are not the sole factors that need to be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your final judgment when selecting an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in more 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 Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Wesley ME
There are multiple ways to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Wesley ME. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief explanations of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Maine vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two 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 supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at certain 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, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Wesley ME can carry out a vast array of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, along with 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 available vary by state and can be obtained in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves three levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) and also 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 prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online in Wesley ME
An option that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, internet learning might be a more practical alternative for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Commuting expenses from Wesley ME are also lessened and some of the study materials may be accessed online as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And a number 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 begin to focus your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Wesley ME area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be considered also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Many electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Wesley ME school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Wesley ME grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Wesley ME area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Wesley ME electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Wesley residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Wesley ME, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Wesley ME?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Wesley ME area.
Wesley, Maine
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.64 square miles (131.16 km2), of which, 49.88 square miles (129.19 km2) of it is land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2) is water.[1]
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Wesley has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[6]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 98 people, 50 households, and 31 families residing in the town. The population density was 2.0 inhabitants per square mile (0.8/km2). There were 202 housing units at an average density of 4.0 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 1.0% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races.
Enroll in the Right Electrician Tech School near Wesley ME
Selecting the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are evaluating includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be current and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every training program provides different options for certification also. Perhaps the best way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Wesley ME.
Other Cool Cities in Maine
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
