Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Hurricane WV 25526

How to Become an Electrician in Hurricane West Virginia

Hurricane WV electrician inspecting circuit panel The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Hurricane WV. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many points to evaluate. For instance, some potential students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have found some that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the least expensive tuition. While location and cost are significant, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate decision when choosing an electrician school. We will discuss that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are offered.

Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs near Hurricane WV

Hurricane WV electrician re-wiring power outlet There are multiple options to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Hurricane WV. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to become licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most typical programs available.

Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually offered by West Virginia vocational and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who wish to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degrees require two years to complete and are offered by West Virginia community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some West Virginia institutions, but are less favored at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their educational program.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

Hurricane WV electricians working on power lines Electricians in Hurricane WV can carry out a wide range of functions, including 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 municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be earned in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician trade school that you choose not only provides a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs in Hurricane WV

attending electrician school online in Hurricane WV A possibility that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, distance learning might be a more practical choice for students that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling costs from Hurricane WV are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be available on line also. All of these benefits can make electrician online tech schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.

What to Ask Electrician Technical Schools

Hurricane WV electrician re-wiring circuit panel When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Hurricane WV area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first two that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other variables that need to be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical tech school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Hurricane WV school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, some states require that the electrician training course be accredited in order to qualify 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 portion or 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 may also signify that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Hurricane WV students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Hurricane WV area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Hurricane WV electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Hurricane home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with several of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise 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 Hurricane WV, verify that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make 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 because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Hurricane WV?

Following is a little bit of background information about the Hurricane WV area.

Hurricane, West Virginia

Hurricane is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 287,702. New definitions from February 28, 2013 placed the population at 363,000.[8]

Hurricane was named after Hurricane Creek, which was, in turn, named after a group of trees at the arm of the river bent in one direction. A party of surveyors commissioned by George Washington noted the site appeared to have been struck by a hurricane,[9] giving rise to the name. Locals pronounce the town (HURR-i-KINN) not (HURR-i-CANE).[10] Less than 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Hurricane is a post office named Tornado.

A town named Hurricane Bridge was located where West Virginia Route 34 now crosses the creek, near current-day Hurricane. The town can be traced back to an 1811 Virginia map. The town primarily consisted of a large Inn. On March 28, 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought a Civil War battle at Hurricane Bridge, now known as the skirmish at Hurricane Bridge.[11]

The location could not be found.

Pick the Ideal Electrical Trade School near Hurricane WV

Selecting the right electrical training program will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new career. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are considering 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 offer a real-world perspective, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Every training program provides unique options for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Hurricane WV.