How to Select the Right Electrician Tech School near Philomont Virginia
The initial step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is enrolling in an electrician trade school near Philomont VA. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you tackle making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many variables to consider. For example, some prospective students will commence by searching for schools that are nearby their home. Once they have located a few that are within commuting range, they will pick the one with the least expensive tuition. While cost and location are of importance, they are not the only factors that need to be evaluated. Also important are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their graduation and job placement rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your final judgment when picking an electrician training school. We will discuss that checklist in more detail later in this post. But first, let’s talk a little bit about becoming an electrician and the training options that are offered.
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Electrician Degree, Diploma and Certificate Options
There are three general options to obtain electrician training in a vocational or trade school near Philomont VA. You can choose a certificate or diploma program, or obtain an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are available at some schools, but are not as common as the other three alternatives. Often these programs are made available together with an apprenticeship, which are required by most states in order to become licensed or if you want to become certified. Following are brief descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are typically provided by Virginia trade and technical schools and require about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards students who want to get into an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degrees involve two years to complete and are provided 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 begin their apprenticeship program.
As earlier stated, Bachelor’s Degrees are offered at some Virginia colleges, but are less preferred at 4 years than the other briefer programs. The majority of states require that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases four years be performed before licensing. Because of that, many students are eager to start their paid apprenticeship, especially if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Guidelines
Electricians in Philomont VA can carry out a wide range of functions, including testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings are up to code standards. After finishing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in most municipalities and states. The duration of apprenticeship differs by state, but typically around four to five years of practical experience is required in order to take the licensing examination. The exams typically evaluate electrical theory and general knowledge, as well as understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Obtaining certification is also an optional method for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a skilled and experienced professional. The certifications offered differ by state and can be obtained in many specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification process usually entails 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) and also the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It’s crucial that the electrician trade school that you pick not only furnishes a strong academic foundation, but also helps ready you for passing any licensing and certification examinations that you might need to take in the future.
Attending Electrician Online Programs
An option that you might have considered is selecting an electrician online program to earn a certificate or degree. Even though online schools have become more prevalent as a way of attending class without needing to travel, in this situation they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on-campus to get hands-on practical training. But since the balance of the classes can be attended online, internet learning may be a more accommodating alternative for individuals that have minimal time for education. And as a bonus many online degree programs have a reduced tuition cost compared to their traditional counterparts. Travelling expenses from Philomont VA are also reduced and some of the study materials can be available online also. All of these benefits can make electrician online vocational schools more affordable and accessible. And a number are fully accredited, which we will cover in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Trade Schools
Now that you have made a decision to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Philomont VA region, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial 2 that we talked about were location and tuition expense. If you are interested in earning an online degree, then that must be an option that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your selection, there are additional factors that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifiers that you will need to analyze prior to enrolling in an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. A large number of electrician trade schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as electrical technology. Make certain that the Philomont VA program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states require that the electrician training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.
High Completion and Placement Rates. Ask the electrician training programs you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also signify that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ 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 additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist Philomont VA grads secure apprenticeships or employment.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrical companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Philomont VA area electricians or electrical contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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, talk to the electrical tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Philomont VA electrical company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Philomont residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Philomont VA, confirm that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Certified Electrician Training Philomont Virginia
Selecting the best electrical trade school will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new career. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Certified Electrician Training and wanting more information on the topic How Many Years Of School To Become An Electrician. But as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of things that you will need to examine and compare between the schools you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any electrician training that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on instruction. Classes should be smaller in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom teaching needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the curriculum should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to determine what length of program and certificate or degree will best satisfy your needs. Each training program offers different options for certification as well. Perhaps The ideal way to research your final list of schools is to check out each campus and speak with the teachers and students. Take the time to monitor some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make sure that you are confident that the training program you decide on is the ideal one for you. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, the end result will be a new career as a professional electrician in Philomont VA.
More Electric Locations in Virginia
Philomont, Virginia
Philomont is an unincorporated community in western Loudoun County, Virginia. The name is derived from the Greek word philo meaning "beloved" and the French word mont or "mountain"; Philomont means "beloved mountain."
The village was established in the 19th century by Quakers. Minor skirmishes occurred in the area during the Civil War and troops from both sides routinely moved through Philomont. The famed Confederate irregulars "Mosby's Raiders" (also known as Mosby's Rangers) were active in the area throughout the war. Philomont lies within the Mosby Heritage Area.
Philomont is located in the heart of Virginia's "Hunt Country," just six miles north of Middleburg and about five miles south of Purcellville. The greater Philomont area is known for horse farms, large estates, winding gravel roads, rolling hills and stacked stone walls. Philomont lies on the flanks of the relatively small Catoctin Mountain and to the west of the community lies the Blue Ridge Mountains. The village boasts an active community center,[1] volunteer fire department [2] and the Philomont Store as well as several bed & breakfast retreats.[3][4] According to the Journal of the Philomont Historical Association the original Philomont Store opened in 1843 with the name Milhollen Brothers. Today the Philomont Store features a selection of wines, beer, and "pulled pork" sandwiches.[5]
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