How to Pick the Best Electrician Training School near Portland Maine
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Portland ME. But with numerous technical 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 points to consider. For instance, some students will commence by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. When they have found several that are within driving distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the sole factors 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 other qualifications should influence your final decision when selecting an electrician trade school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are accessible.
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Electrician Certificate, Diploma and Degree Options
There are several options to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Portland ME. You may choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are required by most states in order to be licensed or if you intend to become certified. Following are brief summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically offered by Maine vocational and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards students who would like to get into an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require 2 years to finish and are offered by Maine junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Maine institutions, but are less favored at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Criteria
Electricians in Portland ME can perform a wide range of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The period of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around four to five years of prior experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be acquired in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes three levels of competency:
- An experience requirement
- Passing a written exam
- Passing a practical exam
Examples of certifying organizations 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 trade school that you pick not only delivers a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
An option that you might have considered is selecting an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. While online training programs are becoming more popular as a way 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 hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning might be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Travelling expenses from Portland ME are also lessened and a portion of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more economical and accessible. And many 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 diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Because there are so many electrician tech and trade schools in the Portland ME area, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The first two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that needs to be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your determination, there are other factors that must be taken into account also. Following is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Many electrician trade schools have received 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 pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Portland ME school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify 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 lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Portland ME graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Portland ME area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Portland ME electrical contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Portland home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Portland ME, confirm that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Online Courses For Electrician Portland Maine
Picking the right electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. 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 discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to assess and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are reviewing includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Every training program provides different options for certification as well. Probably the best means to research your short list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you pick is the best one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Portland ME.
More Electric Locations in Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine, with a population of 67,067 as of 2017.[5] The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, more than one-third of Maine's total population, making it the most populous metro in northern New England (an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont). Portland is Maine's economic center, with an economy that relies on the service sector and tourism. The Old Port district is a popular destination known for its 19th-century architecture and nightlife. Marine industry still plays an important role in the city's economy, with an active waterfront that supports fishing and commercial shipping. The Port of Portland is the largest tonnage seaport in New England.[6]
The city has also seen growth in the technology sector, with companies such as WEX building headquarters in the city. The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes, which is a reference to the recoveries from four devastating fires.[7] Portland was named after the English Isle of Portland, Dorset. In turn, the city of Portland, Oregon was named after Portland, Maine.[8]
Native Americans originally called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ("Great Neck").[9] Portland was named for the English Isle of Portland, and the city of Portland, Oregon, was in turn named for Portland, Maine.[10] The first European settler was Capt. Christopher Levett, an English naval captain granted 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) in 1623 to found a settlement in Casco Bay. A member of the Council for New England and agent for Ferdinando Gorges, Levett built a stone house where he left a company of ten men, then returned to England to write a book about his voyage to bolster support for the settlement.[11]Ultimately, the settlement was a failure and the fate of Levett's colonists is unknown. The explorer sailed from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to meet John Winthrop in 1630, but never returned to Maine. Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him.
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