Vocational School Training
How to Find the Best One Near Green Bay Wisconsin
Enrolling in a vocational school near Green Bay WI with the ultimate goal of beginning a new profession can be a life altering achievement that requires prior due diligence and careful planning. But with numerous trade schools to select from, exactly how do you go about locating the right one? Not only do you have to confirm that you will get the complete training necessary to be successful in your new profession, but also that the school is highly regarded and reputable. One of the first things that most future students focus in on when starting their search is the distance the trade schools are from home. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But there are additional important qualifications aside from location and cost that must be part of the due diligence process as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the vocational schools have earned accreditation, or if they provide job placement assistance. So prior to beginning your evaluations and comparing trade schools, you will need to know what questions to ask so you can get the information to make a final selection. We will review a few of those questions later in this post. But to start with, let's talk about some of the trade options that are offered including the accessibility of online programs.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Vocational School Training Options
There are a number of professions to pick from in vocational schools that offer fulfilling and good paying careers. Perhaps you have already selected one that you have for years desired to pursue. For instance, maybe you have always had fun working on your car and have given thought to utilizing that ability to make a living as an auto mechanic. Or perhaps a family member has had a long and successful career in a certain trade or vocation and you would like to follow in his or her footsteps. No matter what your motivation is for entering a trade, there is undoubtedly a program available that will give you the training that you need. Below is just a modest representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Green Bay WI area.
- Automotive Technician
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrical Technician
- Welding
- Truck Driving
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Management
Each of the programs will have differing costs and completion times depending on the trade, type of credential and school. Many of the programs may be completed in just weeks, while others will call for months or even two or more years of schooling. All of these elements should be considered before choosing a vocation and school.
Online Trade School Programs
Schools available online have become very popular with Green Bay WI students and more and more accredited programs are being offered. While online learning is a readily available and practical way to obtain a certificate or degree, it might not be the best option for all trades or vocations. For example, training to operate a tractor trailer is not something that you can accomplish online, nor is learning how to weld. These are skills that have to be mastered through practical training and by doing it, not by studying or watching videos. But certain aspects of the training can be appropriate for online learning, for example learning driving and safety regulations for trucking schools or learning about metallurgy or how to read blueprints for welding schools. Many programs will incorporate online education with on-campus lab work, for example for HVAC or plumbing schools. So it is very important to determine before enrolling in an online program for any trade if there is a suitable amount of practical training devoted to the syllabus. One means to help establish that a vocational school program is both appropriate for online studying and delivers comprehensive hands-on training is to verify that it's accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). For those vocations that are appropriate for online training, it can be a convenient way for individuals with limited time to acquire a new profession.
Points to Ask Trade School Programs
When you have picked the trade and type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many vocational schools in the Green Bay WI area and all over the Country to select from. That's why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the initial 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accreditation. Many Green Bay WI area trade programs have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states require that the training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help measure the quality of a trade school near Green Bay WI is how long it has been in operation. A poorly reviewed or a fly by night school normally will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. However, even the best of schools had to start from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifiers.
Completion Rates. Ask the trade 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 low completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It's similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list 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 confirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help students acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Green Bay WI area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with Green Bay WI area contractors in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Green Bay WI contractor if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you receive 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 see how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is in Wisconsin and what certifications or degrees they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Green Bay WI, verify that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Vocational School Programs in Green Bay
Find the Best Green Bay Trade School
Enrolling in the ideal trade school near Green Bay WI is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this post, you need to pick a vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the trade. Other factors to look for are plenty of practical training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don't forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for evaluating schools, you'll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.