How to Become an Electrician in Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Hollidaysburg PA. But with so many technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are so many variables to consider. For instance, some students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. After they have found several that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the only factors that need to be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your ultimate decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are available.
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Hollidaysburg PA
There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Hollidaysburg PA. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Bellow are brief explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve two years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Pennsylvania institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Requirements
Electricians in Hollidaysburg PA can undertake a vast array of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but generally around four to five years of experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician vocational school that you choose not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online in Hollidaysburg PA
A possibility that you might have looked at is choosing an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools are becoming more popular as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, internet learning can be a more convenient option for individuals that have limited time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Commuting costs from Hollidaysburg PA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. Each of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Hollidaysburg PA region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional factors that need to be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Make sure that the Hollidaysburg PA program is 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 quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of 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 finish the program. A low completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high 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 utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Hollidaysburg PA graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Hollidaysburg PA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Hollidaysburg PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Hollidaysburg residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher 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 bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some 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 reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hollidaysburg PA, check that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Considering Attending an Electrician School near Hollidaysburg PA?
Following is a little bit of background information about the Hollidaysburg PA area.
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Hollidaysburg is a borough and the county seat of Blair County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is located on the Juniata River, 5 miles (8 km) south of Altoona and is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1900, 2,998 people lived in the borough, in 1910, 3,734 lived there, and in 1940, 5,910 residents were counted. The population was 5,791 at the 2010 census. Coal, iron ore, ganister, and limestone are found in the vicinity. In the past, the borough had foundries and machine shops, a silk mill, car works and classification yards.
The famous toy known as the Slinky is manufactured within Hollidaysburg by Poof-Slinky, Inc. (formerly James Industries, Inc.). More than a quarter billion Slinkys have been manufactured in the toy's history.[5]
The center of Hollidaysburg is frequently referred to as "The Diamond," where the buildings and parking spaces form a diamond. This area serves as the hub for parades, festivals and other town celebrations.
Select the Right Electrical Vocational School near Hollidaysburg PA
Picking the best electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. 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 perspective, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Every training program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Hollidaysburg PA.
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