Vocational College
How to Pick the Best One Near Tempe Arizona
Choosing to work in a new occupation and enroll in a trade school near Tempe AZ are important decisions that will greatly influence your long term career. But just how do you accomplish finding the right one with numerous trade schools to select from? Not only do you need to ascertain that you will obtain the comprehensive training required to be successful in your new profession, but also that the school is highly regarded and reputable. A number of potential students make the error of selecting a vocational school simply because the campus is nearest to their residence or place of employment. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. Naturally the cost and location of the training are significant factors when analyzing vocational school options, but they should not be the sole ones. For example, you should ask whether or not the vocational schools have earned accreditation, or if they provide 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 selection. We will review some of those questions later in this article. But to start with, let's look at some of the vocation options that are available.
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Trade School Program Options
There are a number of trades to pick from in vocational schools that provide rewarding and high paying careers. Perhaps you have already decided on one that you have long wished to pursue. For example, maybe you have always had fun working on your car and have thought about utilizing that skill to earn a living as an auto mechanic. Or perhaps a member of the family has had a prosperous career in a particular trade or vocation and you would like to follow in her or his footsteps. Regardless of what your motivation is for going into a trade, there is undoubtedly a program offered that will provide the training you require. Below is just a modest representation of the trade school programs that are offered in the Tempe AZ area.
- Automotive Technician
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrical Technician
- Welder
- Truck Driving
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Management
All programs will have varying costs and completion times depending on the vocation, credential earned and school. Many of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will call for months or even two or more years of instruction. All of these variables need to be taken into account before selecting a trade and a school.
What to Ask Trade Schools
When you have chosen the trade and type of certificate or degree that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of technical schools in the Tempe AZ area and across the Country to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a list of key qualifiers when making school comparisons. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first 2 aspects you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of Tempe AZ area vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states require that the training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help measure the quality of a vocational school near Tempe AZ is how long it has been in operation. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school typically will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifications.
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 course. A low completion rate may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It could also mean that the instructors were not competent to train 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 may 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 an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs in the Tempe AZ area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Tempe AZ area professionals in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Tempe AZ contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the instructors 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 meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Tempe AZ, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.
Learn More About Technical School Training in Tempe
Enroll in the Right Tempe Trade School
Enrolling in the right trade school near Tempe AZ is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this article, you should select a technical school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. Other factors to look for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect 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. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don't forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for evaluating schools, you'll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.