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Questions to Ask Trade Schools
Once you have picked the trade and type of degree or certificate that you want to earn, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of technical schools in the Imperial CA area and all over the USA to pick from. That's why it is essential to have a list of relevant qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Imperial CA area technical schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make certain that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help measure the quality of a trade school near Imperial CA is how long it has been in business. A poorly rated or a fly by night school usually will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. Having said that, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifiers.
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 low completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist grads acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Imperial CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most vocational 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 contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Imperial CA area contractors in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Imperial CA contractor if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much personalized training 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 witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is in California and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Imperial CA, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.