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What to Ask Trade Schools
As soon as you have selected the trade and type of degree or certificate that you desire to obtain, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous trade schools in the South San Jose Hills CA area and throughout the Country to choose from. That's why it is extremely important to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first 2 factors you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Numerous South San Jose Hills CA area vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, many states require that the training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help evaluate the quality of a trade school near South San Jose Hills CA is how long it has been in operation. A poorly reviewed or a fly by night school usually will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the best of schools had to begin from their opening day of training, so consider it as one of several qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors 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 list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist students obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the South San Jose Hills CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Numerous training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with South San Jose Hills CA area specialists in the field. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the specialist you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local South San Jose Hills CA contractor if they can give you some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to 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 larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers 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 go to classes in the evening or on weekends near South San Jose Hills CA, check that the schools you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.