Vocational College
How to Pick the Right One Near Anchorage Alaska
Enrolling in a trade school near Anchorage AK with the final goal of beginning a new career can be a life altering achievement that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. But exactly how do you accomplish locating the best one with so many trade schools to pick from? Not only do you have to ascertain that you will obtain the comprehensive training necessary to be successful in your new field, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. A number of students make the mistake of enrolling in a vocational school just because the campus is nearest to their home or where they work. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But there are other important qualifications besides cost and location that must be part of the due diligence process as well. Other considerations including accreditation and the completion rates of the schools are important as well. So prior to beginning your evaluations and comparing trade schools, you will need to know what questions you should be asking in order to get the information to make a final choice. We will cover several of those questions shortly in this article. But to start with, let's look at some of the trade 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 gratifying and good paying careers. Maybe you have already chosen one that you have for years desired to pursue. For example, perhaps you have always enjoyed working on your car and have given thought to using that ability to earn a living as an auto mechanic. Or maybe a family member 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 inspiration is for going into a trade, there is probably a program offered that will give you the training you require. Below is just a modest representation of the vocational training programs that are available in the Anchorage AK area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumbing
- Electrical Technician
- Welder
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Manager
Each of the programs will have varying costs and completion times depending on the trade, type of credential and school. Many of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will require months or even two or more years of training. All of these factors should be taken into account prior to choosing a vocation and school.
What to Ask Vocational Schools
As soon as you have selected the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you wish to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your selection 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 pick from. That's why it is very important to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school comparisons. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first two aspects you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Numerous Anchorage AK area vocational schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help assess the quality of a vocational school near Anchorage AK is how long it has been in business. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school typically will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. Having said that, even the top schools had to start from their opening day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the trade schools you are considering 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 may suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It may also suggest that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the Anchorage AK area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Anchorage AK area specialists in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Anchorage AK contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in Alaska and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Anchorage AK, confirm that the programs you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.
Find Out More About Trade Colleges in Anchorage
Find the Best Anchorage Trade School
Picking the right trade school near Anchorage AK is an important beginning toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this article, you should select a trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. Other factors to search for are ample practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don't forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you'll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.