How to Enroll in the Best Electrician Trade School near Fort Washington Pennsylvania
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is finding an electrician trade school near Fort Washington PA. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making sure that you enroll in the best one? Especially since there are so many factors to evaluate. For example, many students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. After they have identified some that are within commuting distance, they will decide on the one with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are significant, they are not the sole things that must be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should contribute toward your ultimate decision when selecting an electrician training school. We will cover that checklist in greater detail later in this article. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training choices that are available.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
There are multiple ways to obtain electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Fort Washington PA. You may choose a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered together with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you wish to earn certification. Following are short explanations of the 3 most common programs available.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally provided by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards those who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs involve two years to finish and are provided by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that readies students to begin their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are offered at certain Pennsylvania colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Most states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be performed before licensing. Therefore, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Fort Washington PA can undertake a multitude of services, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The length of apprenticeship varies by state, but usually around four to five years of experience is needed in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional way for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be acquired in various specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process in most cases includes 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) as well as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician vocational school that you select not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
An option that you may have looked at is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools are becoming more prevalent as a means of attending class without the need for travel, in this instance they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the remainder of the classes can be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical alternative for individuals that have limited time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online schools have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus alternatives. Commuting costs from Fort Washington PA are also minimized and some of the study materials may be available online also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our due diligence checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Because there are numerous electrician trade and vocational schools in the Fort Washington PA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must satisfy. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and tuition expense. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your decision, there are other factors that need to be considered as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifiers that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Confirm that the Fort Washington PA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may mean 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 Fort Washington PA graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician vocational programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Fort Washington PA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Fort Washington PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Fort Washington home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to a few of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Fort Washington PA, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain 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.
Online Electrical Courses Fort Washington Pennsylvania
Choosing the ideal electrical training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Electrical Courses and wanting more information on the topic Become Certified Electrician. But as we have discussed in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical training program that you are evaluating includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom teaching should offer a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and degree or certificate will best serve your needs. Each program offers unique possibilities for certification as well. Probably The ideal way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and instructors. Take the time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you select is the right one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the final outcome will be a new occupation as a professional electrician in Fort Washington PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Prior to the Revolutionary War the Fort Washington area was settled by many German immigrants. One such person was Philip Engard who immigrated in 1728. Engard purchased 100 acres (40 ha) on what was to be named Susquehanna Road and Fort Washington Avenue. By the mid-18th century the area came to be known as Engardtown, and Fort Washington Avenue was originally called Engardtown Road. The house built by Philip Engard is listed as the "Engard Family Home - 1765" in the Upper Dublin Township Open Space & Environmental Resource Protection Plan - 2005, as part of the Upper Dublin Historical Properties #25.
During the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped here after their October 4, 1777 defeat at the Battle of Germantown, and immediately prior to their march to Valley Forge. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh was fought here between British and American forces. Throughout the encampment, Washington was headquartered at the Emlen House, built by Quaker George Emlen in 1745. British commander General William Howe observed the American lines from the bell tower of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (at Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road), site of the British encampment on December 5. Today, Fort Washington State Park contains the area in which the primary American defenses were situated.
On July 17, 1856, Fort Washington was the site of one of the worst train accidents in the United States when two North Pennsylvania Railroad trains collided with one another near the Sandy Run station (later renamed to Camp Hill, now the defunct Fellwick Station). The exact number of deaths is uncertain, but 59 were killed instantly and dozens more perished from their injuries. Many of the dead were children from St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church from the Kensington section of Philadelphia, who were traveling to Sheaff's Woods, a park in the Fort Washington area, for a Sunday school picnic.[1][2]
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