Vocational School
How to Find the Best One Near Juneau Alaska
Enrolling in a trade school near Juneau AK with the final goal of beginning a new profession can be a life altering accomplishment that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. However with numerous trade schools to select from, exactly how do you approach identifying the ideal one? Of course you must select a school that is highly regarded and reputable so you can be assured that you will receive the complete training necessary to succeed in your new field. One of the first things that many future students focus in on when beginning their search is how far the vocational schools are from home. Others may be attracted to the school that charges the most affordable tuition. But there are additional important qualifications besides cost and location that should be part of the due diligence process as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the vocational schools are accredited, or if they offer job placement assistance. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so you can get the information to make a final choice. We will address a few of those questions shortly in this post. But first, let's look at some of the trade options that are offered.
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Vocational School Program Options
There are an abundance of professions to select from in vocational schools that provide fulfilling and high paying careers. Maybe you have already selected one that you have long wished to pursue. For instance, maybe you have always enjoyed working on your car and have thought about utilizing that ability to earn a living as a car mechanic. Or perhaps a relative has had a prosperous career in a particular trade or vocation and you would like to follow in her or his footsteps. Whatever your motivation is for going into a trade, there is undoubtedly a program available that will provide the training you require. Following is merely a modest representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Juneau AK area.
- Automotive Technician
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Welder
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Management
All programs will have differing completion times and costs based upon the vocation, credential earned and school. A number of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will call for several months or even two or more years of schooling. Each of these aspects need to be considered prior to choosing a vocation and school.
Concerns to Ask Vocational School Programs
As soon as you have chosen the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you wish to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many vocational schools in the Juneau AK area and across the Country to select from. That's why it is very important to have a list of relevant qualifiers when making school evaluations. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the initial two factors you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Numerous Juneau AK area technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help assess the quality of a trade school near Juneau AK is how long it has been in business. A negatively reviewed or a fly by night school normally will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. Having said that, even the best of schools had to begin from their first day of training, so consider it as one of multiple 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 dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers were not qualified 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 broader directory of alumni, 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 an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the Juneau AK area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most training programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with Juneau AK area companies in the field. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Juneau AK contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Alaska and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Juneau AK, verify 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. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Trade Colleges in Juneau
Find the Best Juneau Trade School
Choosing the right trade school near Juneau AK is a critical beginning toward a rewarding career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this article, you need to select a school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the professional community. Other factors to search for are sufficient hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for comparing schools, you'll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.