Vocational College
How to Choose the Best One Near Tempe Arizona
Enrolling in a trade school near Tempe AZ with the final goal of beginning a new profession can be a life altering accomplishment that must be carefully researched and planned for. But with so many vocational schools to choose from, exactly how do you undertake locating the ideal one? Of course you must select a school that is highly regarded and reputable so you can be confident that you will obtain the comprehensive training required to be successful in your new profession. Some potential students make the error of selecting a vocational school just because the campus is closest to their home or where they work. Or they might gravitate to the school that has the most affordable tuition. But there are additional important criteria aside from cost and location that should be part of the decision making process as well. Additional 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 in order to get the information to make a final choice. We will cover several of those questions later in this article. But to start with, let's look at a few of the trade options that are available.
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Vocational School Program Options
There are a number of professions to pick from in vocational schools that provide rewarding and high paying careers. Maybe you have already chosen one that you have for years desired to pursue. For example, maybe you have always taken pleasure in working on your car and have given thought to using that talent to make a living as an auto mechanic. Or perhaps a relative has had a prosperous career in a particular vocation or trade and you would love to follow in his or her footsteps. No matter what your inspiration is for going into a trade, there is probably a program available that will provide the training that you need. Below is just a modest representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Tempe AZ area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrical Technician
- Welder
- Truck Driving
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Manager
All programs will have differing completion times and costs depending on the vocation, type of credential and school. A number of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will necessitate months or even 2 or more years of training. Each of these variables should be considered prior to choosing a trade and a school.
What to Ask Trade School Programs
Once you have selected the trade and type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous vocational schools in the Tempe AZ area and throughout the United States to choose from. That's why it is essential to have a list of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first two variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Many Tempe AZ area vocational programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help determine the quality of a trade school near Tempe AZ is how long it has been in business. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school usually will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the top schools had to begin from their opening day of training, so consider it as one of multiple qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It may also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can 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 assist students acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Tempe AZ area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with Tempe AZ area companies in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Tempe AZ contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to a few of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Arizona and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Tempe AZ, verify that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.
Learn More About Trade Colleges in Tempe
Find the Best Tempe Vocational School
Enrolling in the ideal trade school near Tempe AZ is an important first step toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this post, you should pick a vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the professional community. Other factors to look for are plenty of hands-on training and modern facilities. You should 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. Also, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you'll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.