How to Pick the Best Electrician Trade School near Westchester Illinois
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near Westchester IL. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly because there are so many points to examine. For example, some prospective students will start by looking for schools that are close to their residence. Once they have found several that are within commuting distance, they will choose the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that must be examined. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your ultimate judgment when selecting an electrician 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 educational options that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options
There are three general options to receive electrician training in a trade or technical school near Westchester IL. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by the majority of states to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Bellow are brief summaries of the three most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally provided by Illinois vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who want to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to finish and are offered by Illinois community colleges, commonly as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at some Illinois institutions, but are less popular at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Westchester IL can carry out a vast array of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of practical experience is required before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be earned in many specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails 3 levels of proficiency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations include the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
An option that you may have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Just about all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Driving expenses from Westchester IL are also minimized and some of the study materials can be available on line 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 address in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Westchester IL region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must meet. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be considered also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Westchester IL school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs 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 may indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It could also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to use 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 also that it has the network of contacts to assist Westchester IL students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Westchester IL area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Westchester IL electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Westchester home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging 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 teachers. Speak to several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees 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 can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Westchester IL, check that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers 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.
How Long Is Electrician School Westchester Illinois
Selecting the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to begin your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Long Is Electrician School and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Certification Online Courses. But as we have discussed in this article, there are several things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the training programs you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are assessing includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses differ in duration and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to determine what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Every program offers different options for certification as well. Probably The ideal means to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you select is the best one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Westchester IL.
More Electric Locations in Illinois
Westchester, Illinois
The area now known as Westchester was occupied by German farmers dating back to the mid-19th century. Samuel Insull purchased the land in 1924 with plans to recreate an English-style town. As a result, the town's name and the majority of its street names are of English origin.
The Great Depression slowed construction in the ensuing decade, although the population continued to grow, largely aided by the presence of the western terminal of Chicago's rapid transit line. The extension of the line was removed in 1951. However, the Interstate Highway System's creation in 1956 led to the construction of nearby expressways I-290 and I-294, providing residents with convenient travel.
As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 16,718 people residing in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 65.9% White, 14.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.9% of the population.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 482
17 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
14 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
7 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
165 Reviews 
27 Reviews 
28 Reviews 
88 Reviews 