Are You Looking To Become An Electrician? The Pros And Cons Of Selecting An Electrician Trade School
If you are looking to become an electrician, you have two types of educational programs you can participate in. You can go to an electrician trade school or go to a vocational college. A trade school typically involves a hands on apprenticeship where you learn on the job. A vocational college program is more like a traditional classroom setting for the majority of the program. Toward the end, you wind up working in the field. Learning the pros and cons of each program will help you determine which is right for you. Here are a few of the pros and cons of selecting an electrician trade school program.
The Cons of Selecting an Electrician Trade School
- The Program is Only As Strong As the Teachers
One of the downsides to an electrician trade school is that the program is only as strong as the teacher, or in this case, the company who you are becoming an apprentice for. Typically, schools work with a variety of companies in the industry to place their students in apprenticeship programs. This means that one person may have a great company who teaches them well, while another may not. If you are looking into a electrician trade school, always ask how they select the company to place you for for your apprenticeship and what certifications those companies have.
- You Typically Work for Free
Another disadvantage to an electrician trade school is that you are basically working in the industry for free. You are learning and working at the same time. Some people do not agree with unpaid internship or apprenticeship programs. If you are one of these people, an electrical vocational program may be better suited for you.
The Pros of Selecting an Electrician Trade School
- Perfect For Those Who Are Hands-On Learners
If you are a hands-on learner, an electrician trade school may be ideal for you. You don't sit in a classroom and learn out of a book. You are actually in the field learning while completing the task with another professional electrician. This gives you good insight into the job you will be performing and how to do it.
- You Gain Contacts in the Electrical Field
The last benefit to selecting an electrician trade school over an electrician vocational program is that with the trade school, you begin developing contacts in the electrical field, as you are already working in this field. This can help you land a job. In fact, many companies that take on apprentices end up hiring the ones they like.
If you are looking to work as an electrician, you have to learn how to do this work. Typically, you can go to an electrician trade school or complete a vocational course. Learning the pros and cons of each will help you determine which is better for you.