How to Become an Electrician in Reed City Michigan
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Reed City MI. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are so many points to examine. For example, many students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have found a few that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the only qualifications that need to be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the educational choices that are accessible.
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options near Reed City MI
There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Reed City MI. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Michigan technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are offered by Michigan junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain Michigan colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Reed City MI can undertake a wide range of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly test electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be earned in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually involves 3 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 vocational school that you pick not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Reed City MI
A possibility that you might have considered is selecting an online electrician program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more practical alternative for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Travelling costs from Reed City MI are also lessened and some of the study materials can be available on line also. All of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to narrow down your school options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Reed City MI region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial two 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 final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to research before enrolling in an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Reed City MI school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order 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 course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It may also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Reed City MI students obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Reed City MI area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Reed City MI electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Reed City residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Reed City MI, check that the programs you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, 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 Reed City MI?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Reed City MI area.
Reed City, Michigan
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,425 people, 1,007 households, and 582 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,165.9 inhabitants per square mile (450.2/km2). There were 1,136 housing units at an average density of 546.2 per square mile (210.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 1.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 1,007 households of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.98.
The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.
Pick the Right Electrician Technical School near Reed City MI
Selecting the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have addressed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every program provides unique possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you choose is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Reed City MI.
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