How to Pick the Right Electrician Tech School near Kent Connecticut
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Kent CT. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many variables to consider. For example, some prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. After they have identified several that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are significant, they are not the only qualifications that must be examined. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your final judgment when selecting an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options
There are multiple options to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Kent CT. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Frequently these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Bellow are brief descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Connecticut technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They furnish a solid foundation and are aimed towards students who wish to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are provided by Connecticut junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Connecticut institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. For that reason, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Kent CT can undertake a wide range of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of experience is required before taking the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be obtained in various specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves 3 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Training Classes
A possibility that you might have considered is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs have become more accepted as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient alternative for students that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving costs from Kent CT are also minimized and some of the study materials can be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will address in our questions to ask checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Training Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Because there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Kent CT region, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make sure that the Kent CT school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can 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 a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Kent CT graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Kent CT area electricians or electrical professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Kent CT electrical contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Kent home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much personalized 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 big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Kent CT, check that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Electrician Training Requirements Kent Connecticut
Picking the best electrician training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrician Training Requirements and wanting more information on the topic Become A Qualified Electrician. But as we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrical tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the training program should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Every program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the teachers and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the training program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Kent CT.
More Electric Locations in Connecticut
Kent, Connecticut
Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three boarding schools: Kent School, The Marvelwood School and South Kent School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located within town borders.
Kent is in Litchfield County. Its location is 41°43′29″N 73°28′39″W / 41.72472°N 73.47750°W / 41.72472; -73.47750. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.6 square miles (128 km2), of which, 48.5 square miles (126 km2) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) of it (2.26%) is water. Bulls Bridge, one of two covered bridges open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, as well as a section of the Appalachian Trail.
Macedonia Brook State Park was first opened in 1918 with a donation of 1,552 acres (6.28 km2) from White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield. Since then, it has now grown to a size of 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) and is used for outdoor recreation throughout the year.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 98
2 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 1 Reviews 
2 Reviews 