What to Ask Trade Schools
As soon as you have chosen the vocation and type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many vocational schools in the Revere MA area and throughout the United States to pick from. That's why it is imperative to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the initial two factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.
Accredited. Many Revere MA area vocational schools have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school's programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing where applicable.
How Long in Business? One clue to help evaluate the quality of a trade school near Revere MA is how long it has been in business. A negatively rated or a fly by night school normally will not be in business very long, so longevity is a big plus. On the other hand, even the best of schools had to begin from their first day of training, so use it as one of multiple qualifiers.
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 finish the program. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also signify 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 directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to help students obtain apprenticeships or jobs in the Revere MA area.
Apprenticeship Programs. A large number of training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with Revere MA area companies in the trade. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local professional community.
Modern Facilities. Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Revere MA company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Smaller Classes. It's important that you get as much personalized 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 large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is in Massachusetts and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Flexible Scheduling. Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Revere MA, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.
Find Out How to Pick a Vocational College near Revere MA