How to Choose the Right Electrician Tech School near Stockton Illinois
The initial step to learning to be an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Stockton IL. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many variables to evaluate. For example, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have identified several that are within driving range, they will select the one with the least expensive tuition. Although cost and location are significant, they are not the only qualifications that must be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should influence your ultimate decision when picking an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about being an electrician and the training options that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Programs
There are multiple ways to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Stockton IL. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you want to earn certification. Following are brief explanations of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Illinois trade and technical schools and take approximately a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees require 2 years to complete and are offered by Illinois junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Illinois institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other shorter programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically four years be carried out prior to licensing. Therefore, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Stockton IL can carry out a multitude of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and may be obtained in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 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 crucial that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Schools Online
An alternative that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. While online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, distance learning might be a more practical option for individuals that have limited time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional alternatives. Driving costs from Stockton IL are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be available online as well. All of these advantages can make online electrician tech schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Points to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
When you have decided to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can begin to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician tech and trade schools in the Stockton IL area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must satisfy. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are other factors that need to be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Stockton IL program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you acquire a quality education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize 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 field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Stockton IL grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician trade programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Stockton IL area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. 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 working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Stockton IL electrical contracting company if they can give you some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Stockton residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may 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 challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stockton IL, check that the programs you are considering provide 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 responsibilities.
Vocational School Electrician Stockton Illinois
Selecting the best electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Vocational School Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Training Courses For Electricians. But as we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Each program offers unique options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you pick is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Stockton IL.
More Electric Locations in Illinois
Stockton, Illinois
The village of Stockton is the youngest village in Jo Daviess County.[6] It was established after the Minnesota Northwestern Railroad decided to build a station in Section 2 of Stockton Township in 1886, which through mergers later became named the Chicago Great Western Railway. The railroad tracks were removed in the early 1970s.[7] The tracks have since been repurposed into a giant mouse statue on display to commemorate the city's connection with Kraft cheese.
In 1914, the Kraft Brothers opened a cheese factory in Stockton, and operated it until Kraft sold the facility in 1998.[9][10] This was the birthplace of the Kraft Corporation and the first cheese plant opened by J.L. Kraft.[11]
As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 1,926 people, 831 households, and 521 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,260.2 people per square mile (874.9/km²). There were 894 housing units at an average density of 1,049.1 per square mile (406.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.69% White, 0.05% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 4
1 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 