How to Find the Right Electrician Vocational School near Wattsburg Pennsylvania
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Wattsburg PA. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the best one? Particularly because there are so many factors to examine. For example, many potential students will begin by looking for schools that are close to their residence. After they have identified several that are within driving distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the sole things that should be examined. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, in addition to their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifiers should influence your final judgment when picking an electrician school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming an electrician and the educational choices that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options
There are several ways to receive electrician instruction in a vocational or trade school near Wattsburg PA. You may enroll in a diploma or certificate program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at some schools, but are not as prevalent as the first three alternatives. Often these programs are made available combined with an apprenticeship program, which are mandated by the majority of states to be licensed or if you want to earn certification. Bellow are short summaries of the three most prevalent programs offered.
- Certificate and Diploma Programs are usually provided by Pennsylvania trade and technical schools and require approximately a year to complete. They furnish a good foundation and are aimed towards those who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve two years to complete and are offered by Pennsylvania junior or community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to join 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 at least 2 years and more typically four years be performed prior to licensing. Because of that, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Criteria
Electricians in Wattsburg PA can perform a vast array of services, including 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 required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically about four to five years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically test electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary way for an electrician to identify her or himself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be acquired in various specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s imperative that the electrician tech school that you enroll in not only provides a strong educational foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you may be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Programs Online
A possibility that you might have contemplated is selecting an online electrician school to earn a certificate or degree. Although online training programs are becoming more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not totally internet based. Pretty much all electrician training programs require some attendance on-campus to get practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, distance learning can be a more convenient alternative for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling costs from Wattsburg PA are also lessened and some of the study materials can be accessed on line also. All of these advantages can make online electrician vocational schools more affordable and convenient. And many are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to focus your school options. Considering that there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Wattsburg PA region, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial 2 that we discussed were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be critical when making your decision, there are additional factors that must be considered also. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before selecting an electrical tech school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician vocational schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Wattsburg PA school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent 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 alumni, 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 validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Wattsburg PA grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Wattsburg PA 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 form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Wattsburg PA electrical contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Wattsburg home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Wattsburg PA, confirm that the programs you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Electricians Training Wattsburg Pennsylvania
Selecting the right electrician trade school will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to begin your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electricians Training and wanting more information on the topic Online Electrical Training Courses. But as we have addressed in this article, there are many things that you will need to assess and compare between the training programs you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to 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 current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to decide what length of program and certificate or degree will best fulfill your needs. Each training program offers unique possibilities for certification also. Perhaps The ideal means to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and faculty. Take the time to monitor a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Wattsburg PA.
More Electric Locations in Pennsylvania
Wattsburg, Pennsylvania
Wattsburg is located in eastern Erie County at 42°0′10″N 79°48′34″W / 42.00278°N 79.80944°W / 42.00278; -79.80944 (42.002903, -79.809321).[4] It is bordered to the west, north, and east by Venango Township, and to the south by Amity Township. The New York state border is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.31 square miles (0.8 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 3.72%, is water.[3] Wattsburg is at the junction of French Creek with its West Branch. The borough is in the Allegheny River watershed.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 378 people, 148 households, and 97 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,160.8 people per square mile (442.3/km²). There were 166 housing units at an average density of 509.8 per square mile (194.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.47% White, 0.26% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 10
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 1 Reviews 1 Reviews 