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Questions to Ask Trade School Programs
After you have chosen the trade and type of certificate or degree that you want to attain, either online or on campus, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous vocational schools in the Fitchburg WI area and all over the Country to pick from. That's why it is essential to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the first 2 factors you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Numerous Fitchburg WI area trade programs have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Confirm that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, some states mandate that the training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help measure the quality of a trade school near Fitchburg WI is how long it has been in business. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school usually will not stay in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the top schools had to start from their opening day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the tech schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It could also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which can produce 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to assist students secure apprenticeships or employment in the Fitchburg WI area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Fitchburg WI area specialists in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date 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 concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Fitchburg WI contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak to some of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in Wisconsin and what degrees or certifications they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Fitchburg WI, verify that the schools you are reviewing 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 policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.