Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Harrison Township MI 48045

How to Become an Electrician in Harrison Township Michigan

Harrison Township MI electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Harrison Township MI. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the right one? Particularly since there are a number of points to examine. For example, some students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the least expensive tuition. Although location and cost are significant, they are not the only qualifications that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are accessible.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs near Harrison Township MI

Harrison Township MI electrician re-wiring power outlet There are three general options to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Harrison Township MI. You may select a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs offered.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Michigan vocational and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees involve 2 years to complete and are offered by Michigan junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Michigan colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines

Harrison Township MI electricians working on power lines Electricians in Harrison Township MI can carry out a vast array of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 3 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may be required to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Harrison Township MI

attending electrician school online in Harrison Township MI An alternative that you may have considered is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, internet learning might be a more practical alternative for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting expenses from Harrison Township MI are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Tech Schools

Harrison Township MI electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have decided 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 Harrison Township MI region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to choosing an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Harrison Township MI program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader 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 will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Harrison Township MI graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician training 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 electrician contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Harrison Township MI area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment 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, consult with the electrical tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Harrison Township MI electrical company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Harrison Township home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Harrison Township MI, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Harrison Township MI?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Harrison Township MI area.

Harrison Township, Michigan

Harrison Charter Township is a charter township and a census-designated place (CDP) of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,461. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate places the population at 26,004.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.8 square miles (62 km2), of which 14.3 square miles (37 km2) is land and 9.4 square miles (24 km2) (39.79%) is water.[3]

The location of the township makes it a very popular attraction for many people in surrounding areas. Lake Saint Clair Metropark (formerly Metro Beach Metropark) is located on the shoreline of Harrison Township and Lake St. Clair. The park contains nature trails, a nature center, playgrounds, beaches, pools, and picnic areas. The park has docks available to boaters. Locally, Harrison Township is known as "BoatTown, U.S.A." due to the large number of marinas.

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Select the Ideal Electrician Tech School near Harrison Township MI

Selecting the right electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. As we have discussed 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 must that any electrician training program that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must 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 conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every program offers different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps the best means to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Harrison Township MI.