It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Concerns to Ask Trade Schools
After you have decided on the trade and type of certificate or degree that you wish to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are a large number of technical schools in the Orinda CA area and throughout the Country to select from. That's why it is extremely important to have a list of key qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first two variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. A large number of Orinda CA area technical programs have earned 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 an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states mandate that the training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help evaluate the quality of a trade school near Orinda CA is how long it has been in business. A poorly reviewed 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 begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the vocational schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It might also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It's also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to use 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help grads obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the Orinda CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous training 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 within their network of companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with Orinda CA area companies in the field. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm 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, consult with the technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Orinda CA company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting 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 higher 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 challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors 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 schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Orinda CA, verify that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.