Vocational College
How to Pick the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona
Enrolling in a trade school near Phoenix AZ with the ultimate goal of beginning a new career can be a life altering accomplishment that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. But with so many vocational schools to pick from, just how do you go about finding the best 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 required to be successful in your new profession. Many prospective students make the error of choosing a vocational school just because the campus is nearest to their home or place of employment. Or they may be attracted to the school that has the most affordable tuition. But there are additional important criteria besides cost and location that should be part of the decision making process as well. Other factors including accreditation and the completion rates of the schools are critical also. 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 review several of those questions later in this post. But to start with, let's talk about some of the trade options that are available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Trade School Training Options
There are a number of professions to choose from in vocational schools that provide gratifying and good paying careers. Possibly you have already decided on one that you have long wished to pursue. For instance, perhaps you have always had fun working on your car and have considered utilizing that ability to make a living as a car mechanic. Or maybe a relative 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 available that will give you the training you need. Following is just a small representation of the trade school programs that are offered in the Phoenix AZ area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Welder
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Management
Each of the programs will have varying completion times and costs based upon the vocation, type of credential and school. Some of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will call for months or even 2 or more years of training. Each of these factors must be considered before choosing a vocation and school.
Concerns to Ask Vocational Schools
Once you have picked the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you desire to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous vocational schools in the Phoenix AZ area and all over the Country to choose from. That's why it is essential to have a list of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Many Phoenix AZ area technical schools have attained 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 an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Make sure that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you receive a quality education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help measure the quality of a trade school near Phoenix AZ is how long it has been in business. A negatively reviewed or a fly by night school usually will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the top schools had to begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It could also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It's also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the Phoenix AZ area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Phoenix AZ area professionals in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school 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 currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Phoenix AZ contracting company if they can give you some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to several of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is in Arizona and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Phoenix AZ, check that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Learn More About Trade Colleges in Phoenix
Find the Right Phoenix Trade School
Finding the ideal trade school near Phoenix AZ is a critical beginning toward a rewarding career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this article, you need to choose a school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the trade. Other factors to look for are sufficient practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to check out 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 teaching and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our checklist for comparing schools, you'll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.