Find Electrician Schools Near Me in Moundsville WV 26041

How to Become an Electrician in Moundsville West Virginia

Moundsville WV electrician inspecting circuit panel The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Moundsville WV. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many factors to consider. For example, many students will start by searching for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified a few that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the only factors that must be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should influence your final decision when selecting an electrician school. We will discuss 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 training options that are offered.

Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options near Moundsville WV

Moundsville WV electrician re-wiring power outlet There are several options to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Moundsville WV. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Often these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the three most typical programs available.

Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by West Virginia technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by West Virginia junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at certain West Virginia institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to begin their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements

Moundsville WV electricians working on power lines Electricians in Moundsville WV can carry out a wide range of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing exam. The exams usually test electrical theory and general knowledge, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be acquired in several specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you select not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.

Attending Electrician Online Schools in Moundsville WV

attending electrician school online in Moundsville WV An option that you might have looked at is selecting an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools are becoming more accepted as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning can be a more practical alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Travelling expenses from Moundsville WV are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available on line as well. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Moundsville WV electrician re-wiring circuit panel Now that you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Moundsville WV region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other variables that must be taken into account also. Below is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical technical school.

Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Moundsville WV school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can mean 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 a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Moundsville WV students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs 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 working partnerships with Moundsville WV area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed 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, talk to the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Moundsville WV electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Moundsville home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the instructors 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 evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Moundsville WV, check that the programs you are considering provide those choices. 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 issues.

Considering Attending an Electrician School near Moundsville WV?

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

Moundsville, West Virginia

Moundsville is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia metropolitan area. The population was 9,318 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Marshall County.[5] The city was named for the nearby ancient Grave Creek Mound, constructed 250 to 100 BC by indigenous people of the Adena culture.[6]

Moundsville was settled in 1771 by English colonists Samuel and James Tomlinson. (Elizabethtown, as Tomlinson's community was called, was incorporated in 1830. Nearby, the town of Mound City was incorporated in 1832. The two towns combined in 1865.) [7] Fostoria Glass Company (specializing in hand-blown glassworks) was headquartered in Moundsville from 1891 to 1986. The retired West Virginia State Penitentiary operated in Moundsville from 1867 to 1995.[8] On August 4, 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed The Spirit of St. Louis at Langin Field in Moundsville. [9]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 9,318 people, 4,016 households, and 2,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,202.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,236.3/km2). There were 4,458 housing units at an average density of 1,532.0 per square mile (591.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

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Pick the Ideal Electrician Technical School near Moundsville WV

Choosing the ideal electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new career. As we have covered in this article, there are many 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 program that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Programs vary in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each training program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Moundsville WV.