How to Enroll in the Right Electrician Training School near Arcata California
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Arcata CA. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of variables to consider. For example, some students will begin by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have located several that are within commuting distance, they will select the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only things that should be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician trade school. We will cover that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional options that are accessible.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options
There are three general ways to receive electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Arcata CA. You can choose a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by California trade and technical schools and require about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve 2 years to complete and are offered by California community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some California institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out before licensing. Therefore, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Arcata CA can undertake a vast array of duties, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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 imperative that the electrician vocational school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Training Classes Online
An option that you might have looked at is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs have become more popular as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, distance learning may be a more practical choice for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Travelling expenses from Arcata CA are also minimized and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Now that you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to focus your training options. Because there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Arcata CA region, it’s important to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And although 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 qualifications that you will need to research before choosing an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire 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 sure that the Arcata CA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate could signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also suggest that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Arcata CA students secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade 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 comparing have working relationships with Arcata CA area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment 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 specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Arcata CA electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Arcata home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Arcata CA, check that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Electrician Training Cost Arcata California
Picking the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrician Training Cost and wanting more information on the topic Online Electrician Training Courses. But as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training program that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be small in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every training program offers different possibilities for certification also. Probably the best means to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you select is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Arcata CA.
More Electric Locations in California
Arcata, California
Arcata, originally Union Town or Union, is a city adjacent to the Arcata Bay (northern) portion of Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, California, United States. At the 2010 census, Arcata's population was 17,231. Arcata, located 280 miles (450 km) north of San Francisco (via Highway 101), is home to Humboldt State University. Arcata is also the location of the Arcata Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Land Management, which is responsible for the administration of natural resources, lands and mineral programs, including the Headwaters Forest, on approximately 200,000 acres of public land in Northwestern California.
Arcata has been notably progressive in its political makeup, and was the first city in the United States to elect a majority of its city council members from the Green Party. As a result of the progressive majority, Arcata capped the number of chain restaurants allowed in the city.[9] Arcata was also the first municipality to ban the growth of any type of Genetically Modified Organism within city limits, with exceptions for research and educational purposes.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.5 km2), of which 9.1 square miles (23.6 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (17.25%) is water.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 14
4 Reviews 
7 Reviews 3 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
4 Reviews 7 Reviews 1 Reviews 2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 2 Reviews 