carpentry certificate

[mommyof8]

Does anyone knoe of a good online school where my son can get a carpentry degree, or even plumbing / electrician?

[sanantone]

There are a few DETC schools that offer vocational certificates by distance. Penn Foster and Ashworth College are some of the most popular ones. Excelsior does have degree programs in electrical engineering technology. TESC also offers electronics degrees, but they don't offer all of the required courses, which means you would have to transfer them in from somewhere else.

This website has 4 pages of results for online certificates/diplomas in the trades.
eLearners.com

[cookderosa]

Does anyone knoe of a good online school where my son can get a carpentry degree, or even plumbing / electrician?

If he did an apprenticeship you could probably compile that into a prior learning credit at any of the big 3.

[TALLESTMOUNTAIN]

Also, check out ed2go online course - Online adult & continuing education provider
Has he considered HVAC? I am working on getting my brother through his GED and then getting him signed up for the HVAC course at ed2go online course - Online adult & continuing education provider since there are no schools in his area that teach the subject. I've read that the HVAC field is going to be a high need field soon as the experienced baby boomers start retiring.

Then check out TESC for one of their technical degrees.

[UptonSinclair]

As a Journeyman Electrician, I will offer the following advice.

If you are interested in being an electrician, go see the local IBEW or Independent Electrical Contractors Association. In the Electrical field, it is useless to go to school without working in the field at the same time. There are work hour requirements necessary to take state electrical tests. In the other trades, I would seek advice from people in those trades before jumping into school.

[LaterBloomer]

Common sense is not always accurate, but my common sense tells me that UptonSinclair is right. You don't want to go too far down that path without receiving accurate and dependable information.

[EI2HCB]

As far as I know the process is usually through apprenticeship under a journeyman, also known as a qualified tradesman. If you contact you local branch of IBEW (International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers - Int'l Office) they will be able to point you to journeymen who may be currently hiring apprentices in the electrical trades the same would apply for plumbing (United Association Homepage) and pipefitting. Certificates from distance education in physical trades are good for general knowledge but may not be worth the money. Consider the prospect of someone who understands intimately the soldering process of joining 1/2 inch copper pipes but hasn't done it repeatedly day by day under supervision, would you allow them to join two pipes over your library, Each State has rules on education within the trades, usually called professional regulation your nearest office that grants business licenses in each trade will also be able to point you in the right direction. Your local chamber of commerce will also have tradesmen members who will be willing to answer questions and may know of upcoming opportunities. the IEEE also deals with electronics and electricity with more academic focus, In addition the Renewable Energy Program (RENG) : School of Energy does a reputable renewable energy degree but requires you to take classes in N.M I hope this helps, within the union area which I've experienced usually selection is based on aptitude tests and then a hiring pool is created of qualified individuals. A visit with your son to your local ACE hardware and talk to the owner about possibilities for apprenticeships among his/her customers whom won't be union members but will also be skilled individuals

[mommyof8]

Thank you all so very much for this information, it is very helpful.
Tallestmountain I have told all my children that one of them needs to be either a mechanic or some other type of repair. It may be hard work but there is always work.
I am just tying to help my kids in choosing what path they want to take.
With the way the job market is, I think its best that they work (if they can find a job) and study at the same time.
Again thank you all and keep the advice coming I am all ears..

[UptonSinclair]

I just thought of another bit of advice. If you have a social network (church, clubs, etc), you might start asking around in your network if there are any tradespeople. Often times, knowing someone is the best way to find helper/apprentice positions. I was able to get my son on as a shop helper at my last electrical job. He would have never found that job without the family connection. It is an unfortunate reality that many entry level jobs in the trades are based on who you know rather than what you know. People with tight social networks can leverage this for their own benefit.

[IrishJohn]

As a Journeyman Electrician, I will offer the following advice.

If you are interested in being an electrician, go see the local IBEW or Independent Electrical Contractors Association. In the Electrical field, it is useless to go to school without working in the field at the same time. There are work hour requirements necessary to take state electrical tests. In the other trades, I would seek advice from people in those trades before jumping into school.

As a Journeyman Carpenter (really, insulator - long story), I second what UptonSinclair says here. In my experience from working in construction nothing beats field experience for the trades and some of the best training you'll receive for your license is through the unions. Classwork alone won't get you anywhere. I'm not a huge fan of unions but I have to give credit where credit is due. I'm not certain if this applies to HVAC much, but I have to believe it does to some extent especially in commercial construction.