Electrical Technician Program Boothbay ME

How to Select the Right Electrician Vocational School near Boothbay Maine

Boothbay ME electrician working on circuit boardThe initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Boothbay ME. But with so many vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially because there are so many factors to examine. For instance, some students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have identified several that are within driving range, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole things that need to be considered. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are offered.

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Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs

Boothbay ME electrician on power line poleThere are three general ways to get electrician training in a technical or vocational school near Boothbay ME. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three alternatives. Frequently these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the 3 most prevalent programs available.

  • Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by Maine technical and trade schools and require about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards individuals who would like to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
  • Associate Degree Programs involve 2 years to complete and are offered by Maine community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.

As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Maine colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be completed prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their educational program.

Electrician Licensing and Certification Criteria

Boothbay ME electrician wiring boxElectricians in Boothbay ME can undertake a vast array of tasks, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be earned in numerous 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 important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to take in the future.

Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online

Boothbay ME student attending electrician school onlineA possibility that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Virtually all electrician training programs require partial attendance on campus to obtain practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning may be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Boothbay ME are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be available online also. All of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.

Points to Ask Electrician Trade Schools

Questions to ask Boothbay ME electrician schoolsNow that you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Boothbay ME region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria 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 degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess before enrolling in an electrical trade school.

Accreditation.  Many electrician trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Boothbay ME program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order 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 percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also mean that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Boothbay ME grads secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous electrician vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with Boothbay ME area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date 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 with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Boothbay ME electrical contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Boothbay home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers 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 reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Boothbay ME, check that the schools you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Electrical Technician Program Boothbay Maine

Boothbay ME electricians working on power linesSelecting the best electrical 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 Electrical Technician Program and wanting more information on the topic Top Electrician Schools Online. But as we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician tech school that you are assessing includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should offer a real-world context, and the training program should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best serve your needs. Each program provides different options for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your final list of schools is to visit each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Take the time to sit in on a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final result will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Boothbay ME.

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    Boothbay Harbor, Maine

    Boothbay Harbor is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,165 at the 2010 census. During summer months, the entire Boothbay Harbor region is a popular yachting and tourist destination. ZIP Code is 04538. The community is served by the 633 exchange in Area Code 207.

    The area was part of Cape Newagen, where the English established an early seasonal fishing camp. In 1666, Henry Curtis purchased the land from the sachem Mowhotiwormet, commonly known as Chief Robinhood, who lived at what is today Woolwich. But the settlement was attacked and burned during King Philip's War, resettled shortly afterwards, then destroyed again in 1689 during King William's War. It was abandoned for 40 years.[1]

    In 1730, Colonel David Dunbar, the superintendent and governor of the Territory of Sagadahock, laid out a new town, named Townsend after Viscount Townshend. Despite predations during the French and Indian Wars, and robberies during the Revolutionary War by marauding British sailors, the settlement was successful, not least because of its large, deep and protected harbor. During the Penobscot Expedition, in 1779 Townsend became a rendezvous point for the American naval fleet prior to its disastrous encounter with the British at Castine.[2]

     

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