How to Become an Electrician in Standish Michigan
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Standish MI. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are so many variables to examine. For instance, some students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified a few that are within driving range, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the only things that must be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your final judgment when picking an electrician trade school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are accessible.
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options near Standish MI
There are three general options to get electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Standish MI. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by Michigan vocational and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are provided by Michigan community colleges, commonly 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 earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Michigan colleges, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be completed before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Standish MI can carry out a multitude of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be earned in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you pick not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you may need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Schools in Standish MI
An option that you may have contemplated is selecting an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning might be a more accommodating alternative for students that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Driving costs from Standish MI are also reduced and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Standish MI region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Many electrician trade schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Standish MI school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also suggest that the instructors were not qualified 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 utilize 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 field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Standish MI students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician trade programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Standish MI area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Standish MI electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Standish residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added 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 challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Standish MI, check that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Standish MI?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Standish MI area.
Standish, Michigan
The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871, who owned all of the land in the vicinity. Before the plat was formally recorded, Standish sold some of his land in the community. The town was initially named "Granton." Standish owned the town's first business, a sawmill, and later had the name changed back to Standish. Jackson and Lansing Railroad reached the community in 1871.[7] The first hotel was built in Standish in 1871 and named The Standish House, by a sheriff of Bay County. The hotel went through several owners before it burned down in March 1902. In 1888 the railroad depot was built by local farmers in the area, each bringing their own materials to help with the construction. In 1898 the State Bank of Standish opened, (now Citizens Bank). Standish was incorporated as a village in 1893 with James E Austin as its president, and later a city in 1903, with Mr. H. Randall was as its first mayor. In 1907 Standish got its first automobile dealership, a Buick dealership. By 1912 the city got its first commercial electric lighting for homes and businesses, with power being available between 7 A.M. to Midnight. However, by 1926 the city was receiving 24-hour electricity service supplied by the Northern Power Company. In 1918, the first gravel road between Pinconning and Standish was built, being a loose dirt road beforehand. The same year, prohibition took effect, and in 1920 three illegal stills were confiscated by the Sheriff, and local arrests were made. By 1938 the population of Standish was 913.[8]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,509 people, 619 households, and 353 families residing in the city. The population density was 701.9 inhabitants per square mile (271.0/km2). There were 682 housing units at an average density of 317.2 per square mile (122.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.5% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.
There were 619 households of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.96.
Find the Right Electrical Vocational School near Standish MI
Choosing the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a must that any electrician training program that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Each program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you select is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Standish MI.
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