Things to Ask Trade Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nAs soon as you have picked the vocation and type of degree or certificate that you desire to obtain, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many technical schools in the Westlake OR area and across the United States to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two variables you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.<\/p>\n
Accreditation. <\/strong>Many Westlake OR area vocational programs have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive an excellent education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing where applicable.<\/p>\nHow Long in Operation?<\/strong> One clue to help measure the quality of a vocational school near Westlake OR is how long it has been in operation. A poorly ranked or a fly by night school typically 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 consider it as one of multiple qualifications.<\/p>\n Completion Rates. <\/strong>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 complete the program. A low completion rate could indicate that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and\/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the Westlake OR area.<\/p>\nApprenticeship Programs. <\/strong>Most technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Westlake OR area specialists in the field. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional professional community.<\/p>\nModern Facilities. <\/strong>Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Westlake OR company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.<\/p>\nSmaller Classes. <\/strong>It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is in Oregon and what certifications or degrees they have earned.<\/p>\nFlexible Scheduling. <\/strong>Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Westlake OR, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.<\/p>\n