Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Auburn PA 17922

How to Become an Electrician in Auburn Pennsylvania

Auburn PA electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Auburn PA. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are so many factors to evaluate. For instance, many prospective students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have found some that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important, they are not the only qualifications that should be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.

Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs near Auburn PA

Auburn PA electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple ways to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Auburn PA. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to be licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are short summaries of the 3 most typical programs available.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically offered by Pennsylvania technical and trade schools and take approximately a year to finish. They furnish a solid foundation and are geared towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees take 2 years to complete and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some Pennsylvania institutions, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements

Auburn PA electricians working on power lines Electricians in Auburn PA can undertake a wide range of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly around four to five years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might need to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Training Classes in Auburn PA

attending electrician school online in Auburn PA An alternative that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online schools have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended online, internet learning may be a more accommodating option for students that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online training programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting costs from Auburn PA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be accessed on line also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.

Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Auburn PA electrician re-wiring circuit panel Once you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Auburn PA region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are additional variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Auburn PA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states mandate 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which may mean 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 industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Auburn PA students secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational 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 labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Auburn PA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Auburn PA electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Auburn home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Auburn PA, check that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Auburn PA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Auburn PA area.

Auburn, Pennsylvania

The area was historically known as the "Scotchman's Lock". The first house in what is today Auburn was built in the late 1830s by a boatman named Samuel Moyer, who also operated a store there. In 1842, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad reached the area, at which point the area's official name was changed to "Auburn". The Susquehanna and Schuylkill Railroad reached Auburn in 1857. The first post office in Auburn was built in 1846 and the first school was set up in 1845.[4]

Auburn is located at 40°35′45″N 76°5′34″W / 40.59583°N 76.09278°W / 40.59583; -76.09278 (40.595715, -76.092642).[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), of which 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) is land and 0.60% is water.

The borough's terrain is steeply hilly in the north and gently hilly in the south. Auburn's land is mostly forest, with some residential and agricultural areas. The Schuylkill River runs through Auburn. The borough is served by Pennsylvania Route 895.[6]

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Pick the Right Electrician Tech School near Auburn PA

Picking the ideal electrical trade school 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 examine and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are considering 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 education should provide a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification as well. Probably the best way to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Auburn PA.