How to Find the Best Electrician Trade School near Athens New York
The first step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is locating an electrician trade school near Athens NY. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making sure that you enroll in the right one? Especially because there are a number of factors to evaluate. For example, many students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their residence. Once they have located several that are within driving range, they will decide on the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the sole qualifications that should be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your ultimate judgment when choosing an electrician school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional options that are available.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
There are several ways to get electrician training in a trade or technical school near Athens NY. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three options. In many cases these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by most states in order to become licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Bellow are brief explanations of the three most common programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually offered by New York technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are aimed towards students who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are provided by New York junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to join their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain New York colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed before licensing. For that reason, most students are anxious to commence their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Athens NY can perform a multitude of duties, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around four to five years of experience is required in order to take the licensing exam. The exams typically assess electrical theory and general knowledge, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional means for an electrician to identify him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and may be obtained in several specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually 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 imperative that the electrician tech school that you choose not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Training Classes Online
A possibility that you might have looked at is selecting an online electrician program to earn a degree or a certificate. Even though online schools have become more prevalent as a means of attending class without needing to travel, in this instance they are not entirely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require partial attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning can be a more accommodating alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online schools have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Travelling expenses from Athens NY are also minimized and a portion of the study materials may be accessed online as well. Each of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Once you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to refine your training options. Since there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Athens NY area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The first 2 that we mentioned were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an online degree, then that must be a feature that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your decision, there are other variables that must be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Athens NY program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the electrician training course be accredited in order to be approved 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 complete the course. A lower completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Athens NY students acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Athens NY area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local 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 in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Athens NY electrical contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Athens home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one 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 big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Athens NY, confirm that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
How Long Is Electrician School Athens New York
Choosing the right electrical trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. 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 many things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are examining includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be smaller in size and each student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the training program should be current and in-line with industry standards. Training programs vary in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides unique possibilities for certification also. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on some classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you choose is the best one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Athens NY.
More Electric Locations in New York
Athens, New York
Athens is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 4,089 at the 2010 census.[3] The town of Athens has a village also called Athens. The town is on the eastern end of the county.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.8 square miles (74.7 km²), of which, 26.2 square miles (67.8 km²) is land and 2.7 square miles (6.9 km², or 9.22%) is water.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,991 people, 1,600 households, and 1,110 families residing in the town. The population density was 152.5 people per square mile (58.9/km²). There are 1,972 housing units with an average density of 75.3 per square mile (29.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.87% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.
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