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What to Ask Trade School Programs
As soon as you have decided on the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you want to acquire, either online or on campus, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of vocational schools in the Burbank CA area and across the United States to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a list of key qualifications when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Burbank CA area trade 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 a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help measure the quality of a vocational school near Burbank CA is how long it has been in business. A poorly reviewed 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 start from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are considering 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 signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also signify that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It's also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist grads obtain apprenticeships or employment in the Burbank CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Burbank CA area contractors in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides 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 trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Burbank CA company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased 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 some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in California and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Burbank CA, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.