How to Become an Electrician in Grenada Mississippi
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Grenada MS. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially since there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, many students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have found several that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the sole things that should be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Grenada MS
There are three general approaches to obtain electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Grenada MS. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Mississippi technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are offered by Mississippi 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 join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Mississippi colleges, but are less popular at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed prior to licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Grenada MS can perform a multitude of services, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about four to five years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be obtained in several specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually includes 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 important that the electrician tech school that you pick not only provides a solid educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Grenada MS
An alternative that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, internet learning can be a more accommodating option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit many online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Driving costs from Grenada MS are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Grenada MS area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are additional factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Confirm that the Grenada MS 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 guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which can result in 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 an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Grenada MS graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Grenada MS area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed 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 specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Grenada MS electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Grenada home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can 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 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 instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Grenada MS, confirm 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. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Grenada MS?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Grenada MS area.
Grenada, Mississippi
Grenada was formed in 1836, after federal removal of the Choctaw who had long occupied this territory. It was the result of the union of the two adjacent towns (separated by the present-day Line Street) of Pittsburg and Tulahoma, founded respectively by European Americans Franklin Plummer and Hiram Runnels.[5] Development included stores and businesses that supported the county court and market days.
In 1851 Grenada townspeople founded the Yalobusha Baptist Female Institute for education of their young white women. In 1882 the school was taken over by the Methodists and renamed as Grenada College.[5] Classified in the 20th century as a junior college, it encountered financial troubles during the Great Depression. The church closed the college in 1936 and transferred its assets to Millsaps College.[6]
In December 1862, Confederate general Earl Van Dorn, whose troops had been encamped in Grenada, led the three brigades under his command in an attempt to destroy the Union supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi.[7]
Find the Right Electrician Tech School near Grenada MS
Choosing the best electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important 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 evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure 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 career as a professional electrician in Grenada MS.
Other Cool Cities in Mississippi
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
