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Questions to Ask Vocational School Programs
Once you have decided on the trade and type of degree or certificate that you would like to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous trade schools in the Lafayette CA area and all over the United States to choose from. That's why it is essential to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school assessments. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first 2 factors you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. A large number of Lafayette CA area vocational schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help measure the quality of a vocational school near Lafayette CA is how long it has been in business. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school typically will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. Having said that, even the top schools had to start from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational 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 low completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It's also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment in the Lafayette CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Lafayette CA area contractors in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Lafayette CA company if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in California and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Lafayette CA, check that the programs 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. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.