How to Choose the Right Electrician Vocational School near Abingdon Virginia
The initial step to becoming an electrical contractor or tradesman is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Abingdon VA. But with numerous technical schools to select from, just how do you approach making certain that you enroll in the best one? Especially because there are a number of variables to evaluate. For example, some potential students will commence by searching for schools that are close to their home. When they have found a few that are within commuting range, they will choose the one with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are important, they are not the only qualifications that must be considered. Also important are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should contribute toward your ultimate judgment when picking an electrician trade school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this article. But to begin with, let’s talk a little bit about being an electrician and the instructional choices that are available.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Programs
There are several approaches to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Abingdon VA. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or earn an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some schools, but are not as common as the other three options. Often these programs are made available in conjunction with an apprenticeship, which are mandated by most states in order to be licensed or if you wish to become certified. Bellow are brief explanations of the 3 most prevalent programs available.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are usually provided by Virginia technical and trade schools and take about a year to complete. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to join an apprenticeship more quickly as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to finish and are offered by Virginia junior or community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They furnish a more well-rounded education while supplying the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously stated, Bachelor’s Degree programs are accessible at some Virginia colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Many states require that an apprenticeship of no less than 2 years and in most cases 4 years be carried out prior to licensing. For that reason, many students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not a component of their academic program.
Electrician Licensing and Certification Prerequisites
Electricians in Abingdon VA can carry out a vast array of services, such as installing, replacing and testing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in buildings and homes are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to become licensed in the majority of states or municipalities. The length of apprenticeship differs by state, but generally around 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing examination. The exams usually test general knowledge and electrical theory, in addition to knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also an optional means for an electrician to distinguish her or himself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered vary by state and can be obtained in numerous specializations, such as cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure in most cases involves 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) along with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s important that the electrician vocational school that you pick not only provides a solid academic foundation, but also helps prep you for passing any certification and licensing exams that you might need to take in the future.
Enrolling in Electrician Online Training Classes
An alternative that you might have looked at is choosing an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though 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. Virtually all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be accessed online, internet learning can be a more practical choice for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus numerous online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their on-campus alternatives. Travelling costs from Abingdon VA are also lessened and some of the study materials may be available on line as well. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and accessible. And many are fully accredited, which we will cover in our questions to ask checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Technical Schools
When you have made a decision to earn a certificate, diploma or degree, you can start to narrow down your training options. Considering that there are so many electrician trade and vocational schools in the Abingdon VA region, it’s essential to have a checklist of criteria that each program must meet. The initial two that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an degree online, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And although all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other variables that must be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research prior to selecting an electrical trade school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician technical 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 relates to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Verify that the Abingdon VA program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It could also signify that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may mean 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 a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to help Abingdon VA grads acquire apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician technical 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 within their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Abingdon VA area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the electrical technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Abingdon VA electrical contractor if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Abingdon residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Abingdon VA, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Trade School Electrician Abingdon Virginia
Selecting the right 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 Trade School Electrician and wanting more information on the topic Vocational School For Electrician. But as we have covered in this article, there are several factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a must that any electrician tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to provide a real-world context, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Courses vary in length and the type of credential offered, so you will have to decide what length of program and credential will best serve your needs. Each program offers different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best way to research your short list of schools is to check out each campus and talk with the faculty and students. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you choose is the right one for you. With the right training, effort and commitment, the final outcome will be a new career as a professional electrician in Abingdon VA.
More Electric Locations in Virginia
Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon is a town in Washington County, Virginia, United States, 133 miles (214 km) southwest of Roanoke. The population was 8,191 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Washington County.[3] The town encompasses several historically significant sites and features a fine arts and crafts scene centered on the galleries and museums along Main Street.
Abingdon is part of the Kingsport−Bristol (TN)−Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City−Kingsport−Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area − commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.
The region was long the territory of varying cultures of indigenous peoples, including the Chisca and Xualae. From the late 17th-century, it was occupied by the Cherokee Nation, whose territory extended from the present-day area of borders of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky through the spine of North Carolina and later into Georgia.
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