Vocational School Training
How to Pick the Best One Near Athens Alabama
Enrolling in a trade school near Athens AL with the ultimate goal of starting a new career can be a life altering accomplishment that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. But just how do you go about locating the right one with so many trade schools to select from? Of course you must select a school that is reputable and well regarded so you can be assured that you will obtain the extensive training required to be successful in your new profession. Many students make the error of choosing a vocational school simply because the campus is nearest to their residence or place of employment. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But there are additional important qualifications besides location and cost that should be part of the decision making process as well. For instance, you should find out if the vocational schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer job placement assistance. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions you should be asking in order to get the information to make a final choice. We will address several of those questions shortly in this post. But to start with, let's talk about some of the vocation options that are available.
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Vocational School Training Options
There are an abundance of trades to select from in vocational schools that offer fulfilling and good paying careers. Perhaps you have already decided on one that you have long wished to pursue. For example, perhaps you have always enjoyed working on your car and have thought about utilizing that ability to earn a living as an automotive tech. Or perhaps a member of the family has had a long and successful career in a certain vocation or trade and you would like to follow in his or her footsteps. Whatever your motivation is for going into a trade, there is undoubtedly a program offered that will provide the training that you require. Below is just a modest representation of the trade school programs that are offered in the Athens AL area.
- Automotive Technician
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumbing
- Electrician
- Welder
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Manager
All programs will have varying costs and completion times based upon the trade, credential earned and school. Some of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will require several months or even two or more years of instruction. All of these factors must be taken into account prior to selecting a vocation and school.
Things to Ask Vocational Schools
After you have decided on the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to decrease your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous trade schools in the Athens AL area and throughout the United States to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school evaluations. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the initial two factors you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Athens AL area vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require that the training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help determine the quality of a trade school near Athens AL is how long it has been in operation. A poorly reviewed or a fly by night school usually will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the top schools had to begin from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the trade schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It's also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist students obtain apprenticeships or employment in the Athens AL area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of trade 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 businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Athens AL area companies in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Athens AL company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in Alabama and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Athens AL, confirm that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Trade School Programs in Athens
Find the Best Athens Vocational School
Picking the right trade school near Athens AL is a crucial beginning toward a gratifying career in the vocation of your choice. As we have covered in this post, you need to choose a school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. Other factors to search for are ample hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to tour the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. In addition, ask about scheduling options and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our checklist for assessing schools, you'll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.