How to Pick the Right Electrician Training School near River Edge New Jersey
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is locating an electrician trade school near River Edge NJ. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are so many factors to examine. For instance, some prospective students will start by searching for schools that are nearby their home. After they have identified some that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the most affordable tuition. Even though location and cost are significant, they are not the only factors that should be considered. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifications should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational options that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Options
There are multiple options to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near River Edge NJ. You may select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states to become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are short summaries of the three most typical programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by New Jersey vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who want to join an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to complete and are provided by New Jersey junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more well-rounded education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some New Jersey colleges, but are less favored at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Electricians in River Edge NJ can perform a vast array of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but normally around 4 to 5 years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically test general knowledge and electrical theory, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be acquired in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Training Classes
A possibility that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. While online schools are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating alternative for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on campus competitors. Travelling costs from River Edge NJ are also reduced and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. All of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Once you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to refine your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the River Edge NJ area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we talked about 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 chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be considered also. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the River Edge NJ school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader 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 will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist River Edge NJ grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician technical 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 within their network of electrical contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with River Edge NJ area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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, talk to the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local River Edge NJ electrical company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your River Edge residence. 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 one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near River Edge NJ, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
School Of Electrical Education River Edge New Jersey
Picking the best electrician training program 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 School Of Electrical Education and wanting more information on the topic How Long Is Electrician School. But as we have covered in this article, there are several factors that you will need to assess and compare among the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Every program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Probably The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to visit each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to attend some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you select is the ideal one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in River Edge NJ.
More Electric Locations in New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
River Edge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 11,340,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 394 (+3.6%) from the 10,946 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 343 (+3.2%) from the 10,603 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]
The community was originally incorporated as the borough of Riverside by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 30, 1894, from portions of Midland Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. On December 1, 1930, the borough's name was changed to River Edge.[21] The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.[22] The borough was named for its location along the Hackensack River.[23]
According to the United States Census Bureau, River Edge borough had a total area of 1.895 square miles (4.909 km2), including 1.854 square miles (4.802 km2) of land and 0.041 square miles (0.107 km2) of water (2.18%).[1][2]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 685
37 Reviews 
15 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
14 Reviews 
112 Reviews 
19 Reviews 
25 Reviews 
12 Reviews 
29 Reviews 
6 Reviews 