How to Choose the Right Electrician Training School near Porterfield Wisconsin
The first step to learning to be an electrical tradesman or contractor is finding an electrician trade school near Porterfield WI. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making certain that you enroll in the best one? Particularly since there are a number of factors to consider. For example, many students will start by looking for schools that are nearby their home. When they have located several that are within commuting distance, they will pick the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though location and cost are important, they are not the only qualifications that need to be evaluated. Also critical are the reputations of the schools, their accreditation, as well as their job placement and graduation rates. These and other qualifications should help mold your ultimate decision when choosing 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 being an electrician and the instructional choices that are accessible.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Electrician Schools Near You!
Electrician Diploma, Certificate and Degree Programs
There are three general ways to receive electrician instruction in a trade or technical school near Porterfield WI. You may enroll in a certificate or diploma program, or receive an Associate Degree. Bachelor’s Degrees are obtainable at certain schools, but are not as prevalent as the other three options. In many cases these programs are offered combined with an apprenticeship program, which are required by the majority of states to be licensed or if you would like to become certified. Following are short descriptions of the 3 most prevalent programs offered.
- Diploma and Certificate Programs are generally offered by Wisconsin technical and trade schools and take about a year to finish. They provide a good foundation and are geared towards individuals who would like to enter an apprenticeship faster as a journeyman electrician.
- Associate Degree Programs take two years to complete and are offered by Wisconsin community colleges, typically as an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology. They offer a more extensive education while providing the foundation that prepares students to enter into their apprenticeship program.
As previously mentioned, Bachelor’s Degree programs are available at certain Wisconsin colleges, but are less preferred at four years than the other shorter programs. Most states mandate that an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and in most cases 4 years be performed before licensing. Therefore, most students are anxious to start their paid apprenticeship, particularly if it’s not part of their academic program.
Electrician Certification and Licensing Prerequisites
Electricians in Porterfield WI can perform a vast array of tasks, such as testing, installing and replacing electrical systems, and ensuring that the wiring in houses and buildings comply with code standards. After completing an apprenticeship, journeyman electricians are required to be licensed in the majority of municipalities and states. The period of apprenticeship varies by state, but typically around 4 to 5 years of experience is needed before taking the licensing exam. The exams usually evaluate general knowledge and electrical theory, along with knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Receiving certification is also a voluntary means for an electrician to distinguish him or herself as a experienced and skilled professional. The certifications offered differ by state and may be obtained in numerous specialties, including cable splicing as an example. The certification procedure usually entails three 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 imperative that the electrician tech school that you choose not only delivers a solid educational foundation, but also helps prepare you for passing any licensing and certification exams that you might be required to pass in the future.
Attending Electrician Schools Online
An option that you may have considered is choosing an online electrician 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 case they are not entirely internet based. Pretty much all electrician schools require some attendance on campus to receive practical hands-on training. But since the balance of the classes may be attended online, distance learning can be a more practical option for students that have minimal time for education. And as an added benefit numerous online training programs have a lower tuition cost compared to their on campus counterparts. Driving expenses from Porterfield WI are also reduced and a portion of the study materials can be available on line also. Each of these benefits can make online electrician trade schools more affordable and convenient. And a number are fully accredited, which we will address in our due diligence checklist.
Questions to Ask Electrician Vocational Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can begin to focus your training options. Because there are so many electrician vocational and trade schools in the Porterfield WI area, it’s important to have a checklist of criteria that each school must meet. The initial 2 that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. If you have an interest in earning an degree online, then that needs to be a feature that your chosen school offers. And while all three qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are other variables that need to be taken into account as well. Following is a checklist of those added qualifications that you will need to research before selecting an electrical technical school.
Accreditation. Numerous electrician vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example electrical technology. Make certain that the Porterfield WI program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, many states require 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It may also mean that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help Porterfield WI graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of electrician training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of electrician contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Porterfield WI area electricians or electrical companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local electrician professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure 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, check with the electrical specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Porterfield WI electrical contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Porterfield home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized 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 see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Porterfield WI, confirm that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Electrical Technician Training Porterfield Wisconsin
Choosing the best electrician training program will probably be the most important decision you will make to start your new trade. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Electrical Technician Training and wanting more information on the topic Colleges That Offer Electrician Programs. But as we have covered in this article, there are many factors that you will need to evaluate and compare between the schools you are looking at. It’s a prerequisite that any electrical training that you are examining includes a good deal of hands-on training. Classes need to be small in size and each student should have their personal equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to offer a real-world frame of reference, and the course of study should be current and conform with industry standards. Programs vary in length and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and degree or certificate will best satisfy your needs. Every program provides different possibilities for certification as well. Perhaps the best approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and speak with the students and instructors. Invest some time to attend a few classes. Tour the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the school you choose is the ideal one for you. With the right training, hard work and dedication, the end outcome will be a new trade as a professional electrician in Porterfield WI.
More Electric Locations in Wisconsin
Porterfield, Wisconsin
Porterfield is a town in Marinette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,991 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Bagley Junction, Miles, Porterfield, Rubys Corner, and Walsh are located in the town.
The Town of Porterfield was separated from the original two townships in the county, Marinette and Peshtigo, on 26 March 1887.[3][4] It was named after a local farmer and businessman, John Porterfield.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 53.3 square miles (138.1 km²), of which, 51.8 square miles (134.1 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (4.0 km²) of it (2.89%) is water.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 3
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
2 Reviews 