Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Ottawa OH 45875

How to Become an Electrician in Ottawa Ohio

Ottawa OH electrician inspecting circuit panelThe first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Ottawa OH. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are a number of factors to consider. For instance, some students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that must be evaluated. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options near Ottawa OH

Ottawa OH electrician re-wiring power outletThere are multiple approaches to get electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Ottawa OH. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally provided by Ohio vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Ohio junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Ohio institutions, but are less preferred 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 carried out before licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria

Ottawa OH electricians working on power linesElectricians in Ottawa OH can perform a multitude of tasks, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually around 4 to 5 years of prior experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available differ by state and can be obtained in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves three 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you enroll in 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 Schools in Ottawa OH

attending electrician school online in Ottawa OHA possibility that you may have considered is choosing an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning may be a more accommodating alternative for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus many online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Driving costs from Ottawa OH are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Ottawa OH electrician re-wiring circuit panelWhen you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Since there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Ottawa OH region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to research before enrolling in an electrical technical school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Ottawa OH program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates.  Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers 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 more extensive directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Ottawa OH graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Ottawa OH area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Ottawa OH electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Ottawa home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Ottawa OH, verify that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Ottawa OH?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Ottawa OH area.

Ottawa County, Ohio

Ottawa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,428.[2] Its county seat is Port Clinton.[3] The county is named either for the Ottawa Indians who lived there, or for an Indian word meaning "trader".[4]

On September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812, nine vessels of the United States Navy under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, decisively defeated six vessels of Great Britain’s Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie near Put-in-Bay. This action was one of the major battles of the war.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 585 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 255 square miles (660 km2) is land and 330 square miles (850 km2) (56%) is water.[8] It is the third-smallest county in Ohio by land area. It borders Ontario across Lake Erie.

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Choose the Right Electrical Technical School near Ottawa OH

Picking the ideal electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new profession. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Ottawa OH.

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