How to Pick the Right Electrician Technical School near Pittston Pennsylvania
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Pittston PA. But with so many technical schools to pick from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many factors to examine. For example, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their residence. When they have identified several that are within driving range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. Even though cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole qualifications that must be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and additional qualifiers should help mold your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician school. We will talk about that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs
There are several options to get electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Pittston PA. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as common as the first three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship, which are required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you would like to earn certification. Bellow are brief explanations of the three most common programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are typically provided by Pennsylvania vocational and trade schools and require approximately a year to finish. They furnish a good foundation and are geared towards those who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees take two years to finish and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, commonly 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 earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at some Pennsylvania colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states mandate that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and more typically 4 years be carried out before licensing. Because of that, most students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their educational program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Pittston PA can carry out a multitude of functions, including installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to be licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but usually about 4 to 5 years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams commonly evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to differentiate him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be acquired in various 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers a strong academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you may need to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online
An option that you might have looked at is choosing an electrician online school to earn a degree or a certificate. Although online training programs are becoming more popular as a way of attending class without the need for travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, distance learning may be a more convenient option for students that have minimal time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional competitors. Commuting expenses from Pittston PA are also minimized and a portion of the study materials can be available online also. All of these advantages can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will deal with in our due diligence checklist.
Topics to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
When you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Since there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Pittston PA area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The initial two that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And even though all three qualifiers may be critical when making your selection, there are additional variables that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician technical programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Pittston PA school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states mandate that the electrician training program be accredited for it 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative 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 can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Pittston PA graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many electrician technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Pittston PA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools 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, consult with the electrical specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Pittston PA electrical contractor if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Pittston home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger 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 a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Pittston PA, check that the programs you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
How Many Years Of School To Become An Electrician Pittston Pennsylvania
Choosing the right electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most critical decision you will make to launch your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Many Years Of School To Become An Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Electrician School Online. But as we have addressed in this article, there are many things that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are considering. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are examining includes a good deal of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student must have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world context, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the type of credential offered, so you will need to determine what length of program and credential will best fulfill your needs. Every program offers unique options for certification also. Perhaps The ideal approach to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Invest some time to monitor a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you pick is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and dedication, the end result will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Pittston PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Pittston, Pennsylvania
Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is situated between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The city gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining city, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. The population was 7,739 as of the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Luzerne County.[3] At its peak in 1920, the population of Pittston was 18,497. The city consists of three sections: The Downtown (in the center of the city), the Oregon Section (in the southern end), and the Junction (in the northern end). Pittston City is at the heart of the Greater Pittston region (a 65.35 square mile region in Luzerne County). Greater Pittston has a total population of 48,020 (as of 2010).[4]
Pittston lies in the Wyoming Valley on the east side of the Susquehanna River and on the south side of the Lackawanna River. It is approximately midway between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. Named after the famous British statesman William Pitt the Elder, the city was settled around 1770 by the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut. It was originally called "Pittstown."
During the Revolutionary War, the Wyoming Valley was an active battleground between the British and the Continentals (American Patriots). On July 3, 1778, a force of British soldiers, with the assistance of about 700 Indians, attacked and killed nearly 300 American Patriots (in present-day Wyoming). Connecticut Continentals (Patriots), led by Captain Jeremiah Blanchard and Lieutenant Timothy Keyes, held and maintained a fort in Pittstown (present-day Pittston City). On July 4, 1778 (one day after the Battle of Wyoming), a group of British soldiers took over the fortress and some of it was destroyed. Two years later, the Continentals stormed the fortification and recaptured it. From then on it was under Patriot control until the end of the war in 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Today a marker stands at the site where the fort once stood.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 27
3 Reviews 
7 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
4 Reviews 1 Reviews 1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 