Things to Ask Electrician Tech Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Glen Allen VA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The first two that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are additional factors that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research before choosing an electrical tech school.<\/p>\n
Accreditation. <\/strong>Many electrician trade schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Glen Allen VA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.<\/p>\nHigh Completion and Placement Rates. <\/strong>Ask the electrician schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent 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 more extensive directory of alumni, 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Glen Allen VA grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.<\/p>\nApprenticeship Programs. <\/strong>Numerous electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Glen Allen VA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.<\/p>\nModern Facilities. <\/strong>Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Glen Allen VA electrical company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Glen Allen home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.<\/p>\nSmaller Classes. <\/strong>It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.<\/p>\nFlexible Scheduling. <\/strong>Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Glen Allen VA, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nConsidering Attending an Electrician School near Glen Allen VA?<\/h3>\n
Following is a little bit of background information about the Glen Allen VA area.<\/p>\n
Glen Allen, Virginia<\/h3>
Glen Allen is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. The population was 14,774 as of the 2010 census,[3] up from 12,562 at the 2000 census. Areas outside the CDP which use a \"Glen Allen\" mailing address include residences in neighboring Hanover County.[4]<\/p>
Called \"Mountain Road Crossing\" when rail service began in 1836, the settlement which came to be known as Glen Allen took its name from the homestead of a local landowner, Mrs. Benjamin Allen. Its most noted resident was Captain John Cussons, a native Englishman, Confederate scout, author, and entrepreneur. Cussons made his residence here after the Civil War and founded a successful printing company. Later he built a fashionable resort hotel known as Forest Lodge adjacent to the railroad tracks.\n<\/p>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.86 square miles (22.94\u00a0km2), of which 8.79 square miles (22.77\u00a0km2) are land and 0.069 square miles (0.18\u00a0km2), or 0.76%, are water.[3]<\/p><\/div>\n