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What to Ask Trade Schools
Once you have decided on the trade and type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous technical schools in the Thousand Oaks CA area and throughout the Country to pick from. That's why it is extremely important to have a list of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first 2 variables you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of Thousand Oaks CA area technical programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One indicator to help determine the quality of a vocational school near Thousand Oaks CA is how long it has been in operation. A negatively ranked or a fly by night school typically will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the top schools had to start from their opening day of training, so use 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 of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and dropped out. It could also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's also essential that the schools have high 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 employ 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 industry, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help grads secure apprenticeships or employment in the Thousand Oaks CA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with Thousand Oaks CA area professionals in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Thousand Oaks CA company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to 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 relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in California and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Thousand Oaks CA, verify that the programs you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.