How to Choose the Right Electrician Training School near Hastings Pennsylvania
The first step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Hastings PA. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many points to consider. For example, some prospective students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have found some that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are of importance, they are not the sole factors that need to be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifiers should contribute toward your final decision when choosing an electrician training school. We will talk about that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the instructional choices that are accessible.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options
There are several options to receive electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Hastings PA. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at a few schools, but are not as common as the first three alternatives. In many cases these programs are offered in conjunction with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states in order to become licensed or if you intend to earn certification. Following are brief summaries of the 3 most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are generally offered by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and require about a year to complete. They provide a solid foundation and are aimed towards individuals who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs require two years to complete and are provided by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more comprehensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degrees are available at certain Pennsylvania institutions, but are less favored at 4 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 prior to licensing. Because of that, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Requirements
Electricians in Hastings PA can perform a vast array of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in most states or municipalities. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically about four to five years of practical experience is called for before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications available vary by state and can be obtained in many specialties, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually involves three 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 important that the electrician trade school that you choose not only furnishes a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online
A possibility that you may have considered is choosing an online electrician school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online schools have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this situation they are not completely internet based. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive hands-on practical training. But since the remainder of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning may be a more practical option for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit many online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their on-campus competitors. Commuting expenses from Hastings PA are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available online as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online trade schools more economical and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our questions to ask checklist.
Things to Ask Electrician Training Schools
When you have decided to obtain a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Hastings PA area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of criteria that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be important when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be considered also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to analyze prior to choosing an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Confirm that the Hastings PA program and school are 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 a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the electrician training course 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 low completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct 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 may produce more contacts for the school to use 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Hastings PA graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools 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 working relationships with Hastings PA area electricians or electrical specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the electrical technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Hastings PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Hastings home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Hastings PA, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Education Requirements For Electrician Hastings Pennsylvania
Selecting the best electrician trade school will probably be the most critical decision you will make to start your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Education Requirements For Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrician Certification Classes. But as we have discussed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a must that any electrical training that you are considering includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes should be smaller in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom instruction should provide a real-world perspective, and the course of study should be current and in-line with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the kind of credential offered, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best fulfill your needs. Every training program offers different options for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the faculty and students. Invest some time to sit in on a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the program you choose is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Hastings PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Hastings, Pennsylvania
Hastings is located in northwestern Cambria County at 40°39′56″N 78°42′43″W / 40.66556°N 78.71194°W / 40.66556; -78.71194 (40.665473, -78.711903).[4] It is in the valley of Brubaker Run, a tributary of Chest Creek, which in turn flows north to the West Branch Susquehanna River. Hastings is 13 miles (21 km) north of Ebensburg, the Cambria County Seat, 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Altoona, and 31 miles (50 km) northeast of Johnstown.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,398 people, 557 households, and 382 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,484.1 people per square mile (963.9/km²). There were 603 housing units at an average density of 1,071.5 per square mile (415.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.43% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.
There were 557 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 6
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 