Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Manassas VA 20108

How to Become an Electrician in Manassas Virginia

Manassas VA electrician inspecting circuit panelThe initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Manassas VA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of points to consider. For instance, many students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have identified some that are within driving distance, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant, they are not the only factors that need to be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your final judgment when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are available.

Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs near Manassas VA

Manassas VA electrician re-wiring power outletThere are three general ways to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Manassas VA. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most common programs offered.

  • Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Virginia trade and technical schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are geared towards those who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by Virginia community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at some Virginia institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, the majority of students are anxious to begin their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites

Manassas VA electricians working on power linesElectricians in Manassas VA can perform a wide range of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding 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 can be obtained in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails three levels of competency:

  • An experience requirement
  • Passing a written exam
  • Passing a practical exam

Examples of certifying agencies 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 tech school that you select not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes in Manassas VA

attending electrician school online in Manassas VAAn alternative that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more practical choice for individuals that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus counterparts. Driving costs from Manassas VA are also minimized and some of the study materials can be available online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools

Manassas VA electrician re-wiring circuit panelOnce you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Manassas VA area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are additional variables that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess before selecting an electrical trade school.

Accreditation.  Numerous electrician vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make sure that the Manassas VA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, some states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it 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 of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also suggest that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Manassas VA grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Manassas VA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Manassas VA electrical company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Manassas residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger 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 some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Manassas VA, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Manassas VA?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Manassas VA area.

Manassas, Virginia

Manassas (formerly Manassas Junction)[4] is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 37,821.[5] The city borders Prince William County, and the independent city of Manassas Park, Virginia. The Bureau of Economic Analysis includes both Manassas and Manassas Park with Prince William County for statistical purposes.

Manassas also serves as the seat of Prince William County. It surrounds the 38-acre (150,000 m2) county courthouse, but that county property is not part of the city. The City of Manassas has several important historic sites from the period 1850–1870.

In July 1861, the First Battle of Manassas – also known as the First Battle of Bull Run – the first major land battle of the American Civil War, was fought nearby. Manassas commemorated the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas during July 21–24, 2011.[6]

The location could not be found.

Enroll in the Ideal Electrician Vocational School near Manassas VA

Picking the ideal electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are several things that you will need to examine and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrician training program that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you decide on is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Manassas VA.

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