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Points to Ask Vocational School Programs
After you have picked the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you would like to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous trade schools in the Palo Alto CA area and throughout the Country to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial two aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of Palo Alto CA area trade schools have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states require that the training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help determine the quality of a trade school near Palo Alto CA is how long it has been in business. A negatively ranked 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 begin from their opening day of training, so consider 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 complete the course. A low completion rate may signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It might also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ 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 secure apprenticeships or jobs in the Palo Alto CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Palo Alto CA area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Palo Alto CA company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can move, 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, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to a few of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in California and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Palo Alto CA, confirm that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.