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Things to Ask Vocational Schools
After you have picked the trade and type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, 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 Oildale CA area and across the United States to select from. That's why it is very important to have a list of important qualifiers when making school comparisons. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the initial two factors you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of Oildale CA area technical schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One clue to help evaluate the quality of a vocational school near Oildale CA is how long it has been in operation. A poorly rated or a fly by night school typically will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the top schools had to begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple 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 complete the program. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It's also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Oildale CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with Oildale CA area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus 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 presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the technician you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Oildale CA contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees 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 sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in California and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oildale CA, confirm that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.