Vocational Course
How to Select the Right One Near Fairbanks Alaska
Choosing to enter into a new occupation and enroll in a trade school near Fairbanks AK are important decisions that will greatly impact your future career. But with numerous vocational schools to select from, just how do you go about locating the right one? Not only do you have to confirm that you will get the complete training needed to succeed in your new profession, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. Some prospective students make the mistake of enrolling in a trade school simply because the campus is closest to their home or place of employment. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. Of course the cost and location of the training are significant factors when evaluating vocational school options, but they can not be the sole ones. Added variables including the completion rates and accreditation of the schools are critical also. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions you should be asking so you can get the information to make a final choice. We will cover several of those questions later in this article. But first, let's look at some of the trade options that are available including the accessibility of online schools.
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Vocational School Career Options
There are a number of professions to choose from in vocational schools that offer gratifying and good paying careers. Maybe you have already decided on one that you have long wished to pursue. For example, maybe you have always enjoyed working on your car and have given thought to utilizing that ability to make a living as a car mechanic. Or perhaps a relative has had a prosperous career in a certain trade or vocation and you would love to follow in her or his footsteps. Regardless of what your inspiration is for entering a trade, there is probably a program offered that will give you the training you require. Following is just a small representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Fairbanks AK area.
- Automotive Technician
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumbing
- Electrician
- 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, credential earned and school. A number of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will require several months or even two or more years of training. Each of these aspects should be considered before selecting a vocation and school.
Online Trade School Programs
Trade Schools online have become very popular with Fairbanks AK students and increasingly more accredited programs are becoming available. Even though learning online is a very convenient and accessible way to earn a certificate or degree, it might not be the best option for every vocation or trade. For example, training to drive a tractor trailer is not something that you can accomplish online, nor is training how to weld. These are skills that need to be learned through practical training and by doing it, not by studying or watching videos. But certain aspects of the training can be appropriate for online training, such as learning safety and driving regulations for truck driving schools or learning about metallurgy or how to read blueprints for welder schools. A number of programs will blend online instruction with on-campus practical training, such as for HVAC or plumbing schools. So it is essential to ask before choosing an online school for any vocation if there is an appropriate amount of practical training allocated to the course of study. One means to help establish that a trade school program is both appropriate for online education and delivers comprehensive practical training is to check that it's accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). For those vocations that are suitable for training online, it can be a convenient way for those with time constraints to learn a new trade.
Things to Ask Vocational School Programs
When you have decided on the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you desire to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous vocational schools in the Fairbanks AK area and throughout the Country to choose from. That's why it is essential to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school comparisons. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the initial 2 aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Fairbanks AK area trade programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains 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 agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states require that the training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help assess the quality of a vocational school near Fairbanks AK is how long it has been in operation. A poorly reviewed or a fly by night school typically will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. Having said that, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It's also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist students acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the Fairbanks AK area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Fairbanks AK area companies in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the specialist you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Fairbanks AK contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to 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 fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Alaska and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fairbanks AK, check that the programs you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Vocational School Programs in Fairbanks
Enroll in the Best Fairbanks Vocational School
Finding the ideal trade school near Fairbanks AK is a critical beginning toward a gratifying career in the vocation of your choice. As we have covered in this article, you need to select a trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the trade. Other things to look for are lots of practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to visit each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don't forget to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. 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 informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.