Vocational School
How to Find the Best One Near Wausau Wisconsin
Deciding to begin a new occupation and enroll in a trade school near Wausau WI are serious decisions that will greatly influence your future career. However with so many vocational schools to choose from, exactly how do you go about locating the right one? Of course you must select a school that is reputable and well regarded so you can be confident that you will get the comprehensive training necessary to be successful in your new occupation. One of the first things that most prospective students hone in on when starting their search is the distance the vocational schools are from their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. Of course the cost and location of the training are significant considerations when evaluating trade school options, but they can not be the sole ones. Added considerations such as accreditation and the completion rates of the schools are important as well. So before you begin evaluating and comparing trade schools, you will need to know what questions to ask so you can get the information to make a final choice. We will cover several of those questions later in this article. But to start with, let's talk about a few of the trade options that are offered.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Choose a New Trade and Start Your Career Below
Vocational School Program Options
There are a number of professions to choose from in vocational schools that provide rewarding and good paying careers. Possibly you have already chosen one that you have long wished to pursue. For instance, maybe you have always enjoyed working on your car and have thought about using that ability to make a living as a car mechanic. Or perhaps a member of the family has had a long and successful career in a certain vocation or trade and you would love to follow in her or his footsteps. Whatever your motivation is for going into a trade, there is likely a program offered that will give you the training that you require. Following is just a small representation of the vocational training programs that are offered in the Wausau WI area.
- Auto Mechanic
- Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC) Tech
- Plumbing
- Electrician
- Welding
- Truck Driver
- Aircraft Maintenance Tech
- Lab Technician
- Construction Management
All programs will have varying costs and completion times based upon the vocation, credential earned and school. Many of the programs may be completed in a few weeks, while others will require several months or even two or more years of schooling. Each of these aspects need to be taken into account prior to choosing a trade and a school.
Things to Ask Vocational Schools
Once you have selected the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you desire to earn, either online or on campus, you can start to decrease your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of vocational schools in the Wausau WI area and all over the United States to select from. That's why it is essential to have a list of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the first two factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. A large number of Wausau WI area trade schools have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school's programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive an excellent education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states mandate that the training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Operation? One indicator to help assess the quality of a vocational school near Wausau 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. On the other hand, even the top schools had to begin from their opening day of training, so use it as one of several qualifications.
Completion Rates. Ask the trade schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It's similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader 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 will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help grads secure apprenticeships or jobs in the Wausau WI area.
Apprenticeship Programs. Many training programs are taught in conjunction 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 Wausau WI area specialists in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area professional community.
Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Wausau WI company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's desirable that you get as much one-on-one training 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 experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is in Wisconsin and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Wausau WI, check that the programs you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Vocational Colleges in Wausau
Enroll in the Best Wausau Trade School
Choosing the right trade school near Wausau WI is a critical beginning toward a fulfilling career in the vocation of your choice. As we have discussed in this article, you should choose a vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the professional community. Other things to search for are ample practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and if evening 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 appropriate questions as we have laid out in our checklist for assessing 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 ultimately become a licensed professional in your chosen trade.