Topics to Ask Electrician Trade Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Since there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Philip SD region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other factors that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical technical school.<\/p>\n
Accreditation. <\/strong>A large number of electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn 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. Make certain that the Philip SD school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.<\/p>\nHigh Completion and Placement Rates. <\/strong>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 finish the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and\/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ 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 assist Philip SD grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs.<\/p>\nApprenticeship Programs. <\/strong>Most electrician technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Philip SD area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional electrician professional community.<\/p>\nModern Facilities. <\/strong>Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed 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, talk to the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Philip SD electrical contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Philip home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.<\/p>\nSmaller Classes. <\/strong>It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.<\/p>\nFlexible Scheduling. <\/strong>Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Philip SD, verify that the programs you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.<\/p>\nConsidering Attending an Electrician School near Philip SD?<\/h3>\n
Following is a little bit of background information about the Philip SD area.<\/p>\n
Philip, South Dakota<\/h3>
Philip was laid out in 1907 when the Chicago and North Western Railway was extended to that point.[8] It was incorporated in 1908. In 1914, Philip was designated seat of the newly formed Haakon County.[9] The city was named for James \"Scotty\" Philip;[10] the local high school mascot is the Scotch terrier, or \"Scottie\", in his honor.<\/p>
Agriculture is the primary industry in Philip. Businesses include two grain elevators, a livestock auction, veterinary clinic, and numerous other businesses providing goods and services related to the farms and ranches surrounding the community.<\/p>
Philip is also home to Scotchman Industries, a manufacturer of metal fabrication machinery (hydraulic ironworkers, circular cold saws, band saws, tube & pipe notchers & measuring systems). The hospital and school are other major sources of employment within the community.<\/p><\/div>\n