Vocational Course
How to Find the Right 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 achievement that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. However with numerous trade schools to choose from, just how do you approach finding the best one? Not only do you need to confirm that you will receive the complete training necessary to succeed in your new occupation, but also that the school is highly regarded and reputable. Many prospective students make the mistake of choosing a vocational school just because the campus is closest to their home or where they work. Others may gravitate to the school that has the most affordable tuition. Of course the cost and location of the programs are important considerations when assessing vocational school options, but they must not be the sole ones. Additional variables such as the completion rates and accreditation of the schools are important as well. So prior to beginning your evaluations and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions to ask so you can get the information to make a final selection. We will address some of those questions later in this article. But to start with, let's look at some of the vocation options that are offered as well as the availability of online programs.
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Vocational School Program Options
There are a number of trades to pick from in vocational schools that provide gratifying and high paying careers. Perhaps you have already chosen one that you have for years desired to pursue. For instance, perhaps you have always taken pleasure in working on your car and have given thought to using that skill to earn a living as an automotive tech. Or perhaps a family member has had a long and successful career in a particular trade or vocation and you would like to follow in his or her footsteps. Whatever your motivation is for going into a trade, there is probably a program offered that will provide the training you require. Following is merely a modest representation of the trade school programs that are offered in the Juneau AK area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrical Technician
- Welding
- Truck Driving
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Management
All programs will have varying completion times and costs based upon the trade, type of credential and school. Many of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will require several months or even 2 or more years of training. Each of these elements should be considered prior to choosing a vocation and school.
Online Trade School Programs
Schools available online have become more attractive with Juneau AK students and a growing number of accredited programs are becoming available. Although learning online is a very convenient and accessible way to obtain a certificate or degree, it might not be the best option for every vocation or trade. For instance, learning to operate a semi truck is not something that you can accomplish online, nor is learning how to weld. These are skills that need to be mastered through hands on training and by doing it, not by studying or watching videos. But certain aspects of the training can be suitable for online classes, such as learning safety and driving guidelines for truck driving schools or learning about metallurgy or how to read blueprints for welder schools. Many programs will blend online instruction with on-campus practical training, such as for electrician or welding schools. So it is very important to ask before enrolling in an online school for any trade if there is a suitable amount of practical training devoted to the curriculum. One means to help ensure that a trade school program is both suitable for online studying and delivers in-depth hands-on training is to confirm that it's accredited by a nationally acknowledged accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). For those trades that are appropriate for training online, it can be a practical way for individuals with limited time to acquire a new trade.
Concerns to Ask Trade School Programs
After you have picked the trade and type of degree or certificate that you desire to obtain, either online or on campus, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of vocational schools in the Juneau AK area and throughout the Country to select from. That's why it is essential to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school evaluations. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first 2 aspects you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Many Juneau AK area trade schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states require that the training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help assess the quality of a trade school near Juneau AK is how long it has been in business. A negatively ranked 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 opening day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It's similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Juneau AK area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with Juneau AK area professionals in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Juneau AK contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, 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 higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers 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 schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Juneau AK, check that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Trade School Training in Juneau
Find the Best Juneau Trade School
Selecting the right trade school near Juneau AK is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this post, you should select a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. Other features to search for are sufficient practical training and modern facilities. You should go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our checklist 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.