How to Find the Best Electrician Training School near Fort Shafter Hawaii
The first step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Fort Shafter HI. But with numerous vocational schools to pick 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 commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have identified some that are within driving range, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant, they are not the sole qualifications 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 other qualifications should help mold your final judgment when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the educational options that are offered.
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Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options
There are multiple options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Fort Shafter HI. You can select a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states to become licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief explanations of the three most typical programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Hawaii trade and technical schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards students who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are provided by Hawaii junior or community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Hawaii institutions, but are less popular at four years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be completed before licensing. For that reason, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Fort Shafter HI can undertake a wide range of functions, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly about 4 to 5 years of prior experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, along with understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying agencies include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you enroll in not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Programs
A possibility that you might have contemplated is enrolling in an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning can be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Driving expenses from Fort Shafter HI are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have made a decision to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Fort Shafter HI area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Fort Shafter HI school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training course be accredited for it 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It may also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Fort Shafter HI grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Fort Shafter HI area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Fort Shafter HI electrical company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Fort Shafter home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Fort Shafter HI, check that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Online Courses For Electrician Fort Shafter Hawaii
Picking the right electrical trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Courses For Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Accredited Electrician Certification Schools. But as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to examine and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician training that you are considering includes a lot of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the type of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Every training program offers unique options for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Tour 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, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Fort Shafter HI.
More Electric Locations in Hawaii
Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter is in Honolulu CDP,[1]City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, extending up the interfluve (ridgeline) between Kalihi and Moanalua valleys, as well as onto the coastal plain (as Shafter Flats) at Māpunapuna. Fort Shafter is the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific, commanding most Army forces in the Asia-Pacific region with the exception of Korea. A portion of the area is also known as the Palm Circle Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been further designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It is also known as Palm Circle or 100 Area. Palm Circle covers an underground command center.
Fort Shafter has been home to the senior Army headquarters in Hawaii for a century. Construction began in 1905 on the ahupua'a of Kahauiki, former Hawaiian crown lands that were ceded to the United States government after annexation. When the post opened in 1907, it was named for Major General William Rufus Shafter (1835–1906), who led the United States expedition to Cuba in 1898.
Palm Circle was laid out as a cantonment for an infantry battalion. The barracks and officers' quarters were arranged around a parade field ringed by Royal Palms. The 2d Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment was the first unit stationed at the new post.
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