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Things to Ask Trade School Programs
When you have chosen the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you desire to earn, either online or on campus, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are numerous technical schools in the Prichard AL area and throughout the Country to pick from. That's why it is extremely important to have a list of relevant qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the first two factors you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Numerous Prichard AL area technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states mandate that the training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help determine the quality of a vocational school near Prichard AL is how long it has been in operation. A poorly reviewed or a fly by night school usually will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the best of schools had to begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It could also mean that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It's similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist students acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the Prichard AL area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Prichard AL area professionals in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area 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 using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Prichard AL contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Alabama and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Prichard AL, check that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.