Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Phillipsburg NJ 08865

How to Become an Electrician in Phillipsburg New Jersey

Phillipsburg NJ electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Phillipsburg NJ. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are a number of factors to consider. For example, many potential students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the only things that should be evaluated. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your final judgment when choosing an electrician training school. We will discuss 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 available.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Phillipsburg NJ

Phillipsburg NJ electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Phillipsburg NJ. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most typical programs offered.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by New Jersey trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to finish and are provided by New Jersey community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at certain New Jersey colleges, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements

Phillipsburg NJ electricians working on power lines Electricians in Phillipsburg NJ can undertake a vast array of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around four to five years of prior experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in various specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases entails three 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 tech school that you select not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Phillipsburg NJ

attending electrician school online in Phillipsburg NJ An option that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools are becoming more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended online, distance learning can be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Travelling expenses from Phillipsburg NJ are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available online as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Phillipsburg NJ electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Phillipsburg NJ region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first two that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to selecting an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Many electrician technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Phillipsburg NJ program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require 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 complete the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Phillipsburg NJ students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Phillipsburg NJ area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Phillipsburg NJ electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Phillipsburg home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Phillipsburg NJ, verify that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Phillipsburg NJ?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Phillipsburg NJ area.

Phillipsburg, New Jersey

The town is located along the Delaware River in western New Jersey, on the border with Pennsylvania, and is considered part of the Delaware Valley region and the eastern border of the Lehigh Valley region. The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad with a mix of main line trackage combined long leased to the Central Railroad of New Jersey by its builder Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company), runs through Phillipsburg on its way cross river to Easton, Pennsylvania. The Belvidere Delaware Railroad was leased (1871) and later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad connecting the lower Poconos to Trenton, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950,[10][11][12] reflecting a decline of 216 (-1.4%) from the 15,166 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 591 (-3.8%) from the 15,757 counted in the 1990 Census.[22]

The town grew from a sleepy agricultural village (in 1824), and was transformed into a transportation hub and shipping center as the Delaware terminus of the Morris Canal (1829-1924), the first transportation infrastructure project (of several, each eventually) giving the community a direct connection 107 miles (172 km) to New York City. The Central Railroad of New Jersey would soon follow with a connection, but the community's growth (and for a long while, its importance) was that it reached the canal terminals of both the Delaware Canal and the Lehigh Canal by its cross-river cable ferry system to Easton, PA. In 1853, the Lehigh Valley Railroad connected across the river with the CNJ and a passenger shortline railroad, the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, as well as the Morris Canal, all within Phillipsburg. Rapid growth followed quickly.

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Find the Right Electrician Trade School near Phillipsburg NJ

Picking the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. As we have addressed in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training that you are reviewing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each training program offers unique options for certification also. Probably the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Take the time to attend 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, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Phillipsburg NJ.