Vocational College
How to Choose the Right One Near Milwaukee Wisconsin
Enrolling in a trade school near Milwaukee WI with the ultimate goal of beginning a new profession can be a life changing accomplishment that must be carefully researched and planned for. However with numerous vocational schools to pick from, just how do you approach finding the right one? Not only do you have to ascertain that you will get the complete training needed to succeed in your new field, but also that the school is reputable and well regarded. Many potential students make the mistake of enrolling in a vocational school just because the campus is closest to their residence or where they work. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. Naturally the cost and location of the training are significant factors when evaluating vocational school options, but they must not be the only ones. Added factors including the completion rates and accreditation of the schools are critical as well. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you must know what questions you should be asking so you can get the information to make a final selection. We will cover several of those questions shortly in this article. But to start with, let's talk about some of the trade options that are available as well as the availability of online programs.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Trade School Career Options
There are a number of professions to choose from in vocational schools that offer gratifying and high paying careers. Possibly you have already chosen one that you have long wished to pursue. For example, perhaps you have always taken pleasure in working on your car and have thought about using that skill to make a living as an automotive tech. Or maybe a relative has had a prosperous career in a particular trade or vocation and you would like to follow in her or his footsteps. Regardless of what your motivation is for going into a trade, there is probably a program available that will provide the training you require. Following is merely a modest representation of the trade school programs that are available in the Milwaukee WI area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Tech
- Plumber
- Electrical Technician
- Welding
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Tech
- Construction Manager
All programs will have varying completion times and costs depending on the vocation, credential earned and school. A number of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will call for several months or even 2 or more years of training. All of these aspects need to be considered before selecting a trade and a school.
Trade School Programs Online
Schools available online have become more attractive with Milwaukee WI students and a growing number of accredited programs are being offered. Even though online learning is a very convenient and accessible way to earn a certificate or degree, it may not be the best option for every vocation or trade. For instance, training to operate a semi truck is not something that you can do online, nor is learning how to weld. These are skills that need to be acquired through hands on training and by doing it, not by studying or watching videos. But certain aspects of the training may be appropriate for online education, for instance learning driving and safety guidelines for trucking schools or studying metallurgy or how to read blueprints for welder schools. A number of programs will blend online instruction with on campus lab work, for example for HVAC or plumbing schools. So it is very important to determine before enrolling in an online school for any vocation if there is a suitable amount of hands-on training devoted to the course of study. One way to help ensure that a vocational school program is both suitable for online learning and provides comprehensive practical training is to confirm that it's accredited by a nationally acknowledged accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). For those trades that are suitable for training online, it can be a convenient way for those with time constraints to acquire a new profession.
What to Ask Vocational School Programs
When you have selected the trade and type of degree or certificate that you wish to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of vocational schools in the Milwaukee WI area and throughout the Country to choose from. That's why it is imperative to have a list of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the initial 2 factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Numerous Milwaukee WI area vocational programs have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help assess the quality of a trade school near Milwaukee WI is how long it has been in business. A negatively ranked or a fly by night school usually will not be 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 looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It's also important 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 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 trade, but also that it has the network of contacts to help students acquire apprenticeships or employment in the Milwaukee WI area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Most technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of contractors or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with Milwaukee WI area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make certain that the school facilities and the tools 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, talk to the technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Milwaukee WI contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may 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 larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is in Wisconsin and what certifications or degrees they hold.
Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Milwaukee WI, check that the programs you are reviewing offer those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Learn More About Vocational School Programs in Milwaukee
Enroll in the Best Milwaukee Vocational School
Finding the ideal trade school near Milwaukee WI is a crucial beginning toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have addressed in this post, you should pick a school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. Other features to look for are sufficient hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to ask about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for assessing schools, you'll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.