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Vocational Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Chandler Arizona

Chandler Arizona trade school signChoosing to enter into a new occupation and enroll in a vocational school near Chandler AZ are serious decisions that will profoundly impact your long term career. However with so many trade schools to choose from, exactly how do you undertake finding the best one? Not only do you need to make sure that you will receive the extensive training needed to succeed in your new field, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. Some prospective students make the error of enrolling in a trade school just because the campus is closest to their residence or where they work. Others may gravitate to the school that charges the most affordable tuition. But there are other important criteria aside from location and cost that should be part of the due diligence process as well. For example, you need to find out if the vocational schools have earned accreditation, or if they provide job placement assistance. 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 later in this article. But first, let's talk about a few of the trade options that are offered. 

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below 

Vocational School Career Options

Chandler Arizona auto mechanic trade school instructor and student

There are an abundance of professions to choose from in vocational schools that provide rewarding and high paying careers. Maybe you have already chosen one that you have long wished to pursue. For example, perhaps you have always taken pleasure in working on your car and have considered utilizing that ability to earn a living as an automotive tech. Or perhaps a family member has had a long and successful career in a specific vocation or trade and you would like to follow in his or her footsteps. Regardless of what your motivation is for entering a trade, there is undoubtedly a program offered that will provide the training that you require. Following is just a modest representation of the vocational training programs that are available in the Chandler AZ area.

  • Auto Mechanic
  • Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
  • Plumbing
  • Electrician
  • Welder
  • Truck Driving
  • Aircraft Maintenance Tech
  • Lab Technician
  • Construction Manager

Each of the programs will have varying completion times and costs based upon the vocation, type of credential and school. Many of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will require months or even 2 or more years of instruction. All of these factors need to be considered before choosing a trade and a school.

Things to Ask Vocational School Programs

Chandler Arizona truck driving trade school parking lotAfter you have picked the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many technical schools in the  Chandler AZ area and throughout the United States to select from. That's why it is very important to have a list of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial 2 factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you will want to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many Chandler AZ area trade programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the program is 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 acquire a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the  training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.

How Long in Operation? One clue to help determine the quality of a vocational school near Chandler AZ is how long it has been in business. A poorly rated 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 best of schools had to begin from their opening day of training, so use 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 percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist students secure apprenticeships or jobs in the Chandler AZ area.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous trade programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Chandler AZ area contractors in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the tools 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, talk to the technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Chandler AZ contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It's important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is in Arizona 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 fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Chandler AZ, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More About Vocational Schools in Chandler

Enroll in the Right Chandler Vocational  School

Choosing the right trade school near Chandler AZ is a crucial beginning toward a rewarding career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this post, you need to select a school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. Other features to search for are plenty of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour 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. In addition, ask about scheduling options and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for assessing schools, you'll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.
 




 

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