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Things to Ask Trade Schools
Once you have decided on the trade and type of certificate or degree that you want to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous technical schools in the Clearlake CA area and throughout the United States to select from. That's why it is essential to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the first two aspects you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. A large number of Clearlake CA area vocational programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states require that the training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help evaluate the quality of a vocational school near Clearlake CA is how long it has been in business. A negatively rated or a fly by night school usually will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the top schools had to start from their opening day of training, so use it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the trade schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It's also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in 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 help grads obtain apprenticeships or employment in the Clearlake CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous trade 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 within their network of companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Clearlake CA area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Clearlake CA contractor if they can provide some tips. 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, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in California and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Clearlake CA, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.