How to Select the Right Electrician Trade School near Elkton Tennessee
The initial step to becoming an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Elkton TN. But with so many technical schools to choose from, just how do you go about making certain that you enroll in the ideal one? Particularly since there are a number of factors to evaluate. For instance, many students will start by searching for schools that are close to their home. Once they have found several that are within driving distance, they will select the one with the lowest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the sole qualifications that need to be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final decision when picking an electrician training school. We will address that checklist in more detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are accessible.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Options
There are three general approaches to obtain electrician instruction in a technical or vocational school near Elkton TN. You can select a diploma or certificate program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain 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 required by the majority of states to become licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are short descriptions of the three most typical programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Tennessee trade and technical schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards those who want to enter an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve 2 years to finish and are offered by Tennessee community colleges, usually as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They provide a more comprehensive education while supplying the foundation that readies students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are accessible at some Tennessee institutions, but are less preferred at four years than the other briefer programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and more typically 4 years be completed before licensing. Therefore, the majority of students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician License and Certification Guidelines
Electricians in Elkton TN can carry out a wide range of functions, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and making sure that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After concluding an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are mandated to become licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship varies by state, but commonly around 4 to 5 years of experience is called for before taking the licensing examination. The exams typically assess general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary method for an electrician to differentiate her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications available differ by state and may be obtained in many specializations, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually includes 3 levels of proficiency:
- 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 important that the electrician tech school that you enroll in not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any certification and licensing examinations that you might be required to pass in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
A possibility that you may have looked at is enrolling in an electrician online school to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online training programs have become more popular as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this case they are not totally internet based. Just about all electrician schools require partial attendance on-campus to obtain hands-on practical training. But since the rest of the classes may be accessed online, distance learning might be a more accommodating option for students that have limited time for schooling. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a cheaper tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling expenses from Elkton TN are also lessened and a portion of the study materials may be available on line as well. All of these advantages can make electrician online tech schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will discuss in our questions to ask checklist.
What to Ask Electrician Tech Schools
Now that you have decided to earn a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are numerous electrician vocational and trade schools in the Elkton TN area, it’s essential to have a checklist of qualifications that each program must meet. The first 2 that we talked about were location and the cost of tuition. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your final school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess before choosing an electrical vocational school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Elkton TN school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you acquire a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states require that the electrician training program be accredited in order 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 lower completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, 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 validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist Elkton TN graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most electrician training programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with Elkton TN area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the electrical technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Elkton TN electrical contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Elkton residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on 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 several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Elkton TN, check that the programs you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, 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 issues.
Electrician Education And Training Elkton Tennessee
Selecting the right electrician trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrician Education And Training and wanting more information on the topic Education Needed To Become An Electrician. But as we have covered in this article, there are several factors that you will need to evaluate and compare among the training programs you are considering. It’s a must that any electrical tech school that you are assessing includes a lot of hands-on instruction. Classes need to be smaller in size and every student must have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education should offer a real-world perspective, and the curriculum should be up-to-date and in-line with industry standards. Training programs differ in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will have to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides unique options for certification also. Probably the best 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 sit in on some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the school you choose is the right one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Elkton TN.
More Electric Locations in Tennessee
Elkton, Tennessee
Elkton is located in southeastern Giles County at 35°03′46″N 86°53′53″W / 35.062892°N 86.898131°W / 35.062892; -86.898131.[5] Most of the city is on the north bank of the Elk River, a southwest-flowing tributary of the Tennessee River.
U.S. Route 31 passes through the west side of the city, leading northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Pulaski, the Giles County seat, and south 5 miles (8 km) to Ardmore at the Alabama border. Interstate 65 passes just east of Elkton, with access from Exit 1 (US 31) south of town and from Exit 6 (State Route 273) at the north end of the city limits. I-65 leads north 81 miles (130 km) to Nashville and south 113 miles (182 km) to Birmingham, Alabama.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 510 people, 203 households, and 142 families residing in the city. The population density was 340.6 people per square mile (131.3/km2). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 150.9 per square mile (58.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.51% White, 35.10% African American and 0.39% Native American.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 10
5 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
2 Reviews 3 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
84 Reviews 