Vocational School
How to Pick the Best One Near Anchorage Alaska
Choosing to work in a new profession and enroll in a trade school near Anchorage AK are important decisions that will profoundly affect your future career. But with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach finding the right one? Not only do you have to ascertain that you will get the comprehensive training necessary to be successful in your new profession, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. Many potential students make the mistake of selecting a vocational school simply because the campus is closest to their residence or where they work. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But there are additional important criteria aside from location and cost that must be part of the due diligence process as well. Added factors such as accreditation and the completion rates of the schools are critical as well. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to get the information to make a final selection. We will address some of those questions shortly in this article. But to start with, let's talk about some of the trade options that are offered.
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Trade School Training Options
There are a number of trades to select from in vocational schools that offer rewarding and good paying careers. Perhaps you have already decided on one that you have for years desired to pursue. For instance, maybe you have always had fun working on your car and have thought about utilizing that talent to earn a living as an auto mechanic. Or perhaps a relative has had a prosperous career in a certain vocation or trade and you would like to follow in her or his footsteps. Whatever your inspiration is for going into a trade, there is undoubtedly a program offered that will provide the training you need. Below is merely a modest representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Anchorage AK area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Welder
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Management
Each of the programs will have differing 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 call for months or even 2 or more years of instruction. All of these aspects need to be considered before selecting a trade and a school.
What to Ask Trade Schools
As soon as you have chosen the trade and type of certificate or degree that you wish to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of trade schools in the Anchorage AK area and all over the United States to select from. That's why it is imperative to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the initial two factors you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Anchorage AK area vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help evaluate the quality of a vocational school near Anchorage AK is how long it has been in business. A negatively rated or a fly by night school typically will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so use it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational 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 course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, 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 industry, but also that it has the network of contacts to help students secure apprenticeships or jobs in the Anchorage AK area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of training 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 businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Anchorage AK area specialists in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Anchorage AK company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in Alaska and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Anchorage AK, check that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Technical School Training in Anchorage
Find the Best Anchorage Vocational School
Enrolling in the right trade school near Anchorage AK is a critical first step toward a gratifying career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this article, you need to pick a trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the trade. Other features to look for are sufficient practical training and modern facilities. You should check out 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. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. In addition, ask about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don't forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for comparing schools, you'll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.