How to Become an Electrician in Andover New York
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Andover NY. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are so many points to evaluate. For example, many prospective students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have located several that are within commuting range, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are of importance, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are offered.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Andover NY
There are three general approaches to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Andover NY. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by New York trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who wish to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take 2 years to finish and are offered by New York community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain New York colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. For that reason, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Andover NY can perform a vast array of tasks, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally about four to five years of prior experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be acquired in numerous specializations, 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) 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 need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs in Andover NY
A possibility that you may have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs have become more accepted as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating alternative for students that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Driving expenses from Andover NY are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available online also. All of these advantages can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Andover NY region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first two 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 important when making your decision, there are additional factors that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to choosing an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Andover NY school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which may mean 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 an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Andover NY students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with Andover NY area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build 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 on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Andover NY electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Andover home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify 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 Andover NY, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Andover NY?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Andover NY area.
Andover, New York
The town's area was first settled around 1795. The Town of Andover was established in 1824 from part of the town of Independence. The size of the town was increased in 1855 by a part of the town of Wellsville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.5 square miles (102.3 km2), of which 39.4 square miles (102.1 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.17%, is water.[3]
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,945 people, 742 households, and 517 families residing in the town. The population density was 49.3 people per square mile (19.0/km²). There were 877 housing units at an average density of 22.2 per square mile (8.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.89% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
Pick the Ideal Electrician Trade School near Andover NY
Picking the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Andover NY.
Other Cool Cities in New York
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
3 Reviews 
2 Reviews 