Apprenticeship building skills for success Apprenticeship Information and Frequently Asked Questions Apprenticeship Related Instruction Adult and Community Education Fairfax County Public Schools Plum Center for Lifelong Learning 6815 Edsall Road, Springfield, Virginia 22151 703-658-2700 www.fcps.edu/aceclasses
GENERAL APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION Apprenticeship: What is Apprenticeship? It is an employer s training program. It is a time honored program combining on the job training (OJT) and related instruction (RI) resulting in a skilled craftsperson. Participate: Why should I participate? Graduated pay scale, higher wages in the future, greater promotion potential, less likely to be laid off, State Certificate that distinguishes you from your peers. Many graduate apprentices become supervisors, estimators, or business owners. Apprenticeship completion makes you eligible to sit for Journeyman License exams. What is a Certification Card? A wallet size identification card certifying you as a registered apprentice with your current employer, issued by your Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VADOLI) apprenticeship representative. When do I complete my apprenticeship? When you finish both OJT (as a Virginia Registered Apprentice) and RI. How do I complete? By having VADOLI certify completion of OJT from your employer and completion of RI from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). What do I get? Electricians, Plumbers, and HVAC completers are pre-approved to sit for the state exam. They get their VA state Journeyman s license exam application from VADOLI. All registered apprentices receive a certificate of completion from the State of Virginia that is recognized nationally (transfers to other states). Only registered apprentices complete and earn a state apprenticeship certificate. Non-registered apprentices who successfully complete related instruction will earn an FCPS certificate of completion of Apprenticeship Related Instruction. What if I become unemployed or laid off and need another job? Stay in school, call a SkillSource Center and speak to a counselor (See page 8). Seek employment with a company willing to sponsor your apprenticeship training. How do I get credit for prior training? You must take a Credit-By-Exam to receive credit for previous class work you have done. See page 6. Your employer can give you credit for previous work experience. When do I get my application for taking the test for a license? About a month after the related instruction coordinator signs off on your class work and the employer signs off on your OJT, and if you are a Virginia registered apprentice, you will receive your application at graduation or in the mail. If you are not a Virginia registered apprentice, you must call PSI at 800-733-9267 or www.psiexams.com. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AS AN APPRENTICE Registered: Am I a Virginia State registered Apprentice? Yes, if you have signed a state document or apprenticeship agreement or have a VADOLI certification card with your current employer listed. How do I get State registered? Ask your employer to call the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VADOLI). How does my employer get State registered/certified? Call VADOLI to set up a program and to register a new employee into an established program. (See page 7.) This free service usually takes less than an hour for traditional trades to set up a program and only 15 minutes to register a new employee. Why do I need to keep a record of OJT? To document your OJT for your protection if you change employers and to prove you have the field experience needed to become a journey-worker.
If I change employers, am I still State registered? No. Apprenticeship is a training agreement between an employee and that employer. It is not transferable, but your new employer can give you credit for your previous experience (especially if you have your OJT log). What should I do if I change employers? What happens and who do I tell? Stay in school, but call the VADOLI and the related instruction office, as soon as possible. You can be re-registered without loss of credit. Call for details. If a registered apprentice changes jobs, the registration with your previous job is voided. You must call the apprenticeship office. Your new employer must call VADOLI. Related Instruction: What is Related Instruction (RI)? Related Instruction (RI) classes, administered through Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), are primarily for the purpose of teaching the appropriate knowledge in your related trade area that will be the foundation for continued advancement throughout your career. RI classes also enhance your understanding of work skills being performed on the job. It is not intended to teach trade skills nor produce a qualified trades person from the classroom, although demonstrations and labs are often included. Attendance: What is the attendance policy? Minimum 85% of scheduled classes. How do I get my grades? The Apprenticeship Office will mail quarterly grades and accumulated hours to employers about every 8 weeks. Employers or apprentices may request interim reports from the instructor at any time. Grades and attendance are posted on transcripts and are sent to the apprentice's home in early August. If I am not State registered, will I get credit for the class? Yes, but see page one for reasons to get registered. If I am not State registered, can I still enroll in Related Instruction? Yes (except for Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technology, and Directed Study). What is different about Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technology, and Directed Study? These classes are structured specifically for apprentices. If you are not working in a shop and are not registered, you need a program with other components. A cosmetology, barbering, or nail technician apprentice may begin related instruction at any time during the year. The fees are good for one calendar year. If the related theory is not completed in one calendar year; the tuition for another year must be paid. When will I know if I have passed? Ask your instructor or your employer at the last class. Or, ask your employer 2 or 3 weeks after your last class. Seventy percent (70%) grade with 85% attendance is passing. A transcript will be sent in early August. What if I fail? You must retake the course or take a Credit-By-Exam (if available) and earn a passing grade of 70% or more. Can I still stay in school if I switch employers? Yes, in fact you should stay in school. Ask your new employer to re-register you with VADOLI. What if I need additional help with related instruction? First talk to your instructor and classmates. Your employer may also be able to suggest a mentor. Who pays for my schooling? You or your employer or a combination. It varies depending on company policy. Who might visit our related instruction class? People and groups interested in the apprenticeship program including employers, advisory committee members, VADOLI representatives, college students, curriculum coordinators, building coordinators, and/or related instruction coordinators.
HUMAN RELATIONS (as per FCPS regulation 4910) The goal of the human relations policy is to ensure an environment of equal opportunity for all students and employees of Fairfax County Public Schools. This includes elimination of bias, prejudice, and discrimination as well as encouragement of pluralism and sex equity as positive values. Pluralism is defined as recognition of racial, cultural, and religious diversity which is the essence of American society. Sex equity is the condition of equality between the sexes with neither males nor females limited by stereotyping or bias. Good human relations is everyone s responsibility. All persons in the school community must act within their own spheres to foster an environment of equal opportunity. Each person is expected to extend to others the rights he or she expects to enjoy. APPRENTICESHIP TERMS / DEFINITIONS Apprentice: A person, 16 years or older, learning a trade with OJT and RI, in accordance with state and federal apprenticeship standards including a signed agreement between employer, employee, and VADOLI. Apprenticeship: An employer s training program that is a certified, structured, well defined program of training that combines supervised on-the-job training skills with related instruction training in the classroom. Apprenticeship Agreement: Voluntarily signed document between employer (sponsor) and the apprentice that establishes their commitment and responsibilities within Apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship Representative: A person employed with the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry to register and certify program sponsors, register apprentices and certify completions. Certification Card: Wallet-sized identification card issued by VADOLI certifying that you are a registered apprentice. Completion: Finishing both on the job training (OJT) and related instruction (RI). Credit-By-Exam: Optional test designed to give advanced placement for a specific level to students with prior training. (Note: This is the only way to get credit for prior study. Exams are not available for all courses and levels.) Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS): Agency responsible for related instruction and certifying its completion. Licensing: Upon completion of apprenticeship you will receive your application at graduation or in the mail. If you are not a Virginia registered apprentice, contact the Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) at: www.dpor.virginia.gov Note: Some trades are not licensed, for example, Building Maintenance and Carpentry. OJT: On the job training. OJT Credit Credit granted by current employer for previous work experience and/or documented by record books. Program Sponsor/Sponsor: A "registered program sponsor" is an individual employer, association, or joint apprenticeship committee with a VA address who has adopted VA Apprenticeship Standards with VADOLI. Also, they must have registered a structured, OJT training program, including specific work assignments, wage scales and the requirement to attend related instruction classes Record Book: Booklet for daily logging of OJT hours into categories based on work processes detailed in your apprenticeship agreement.
Registered: A person is a registered apprentice only if he/she has signed an apprenticeship agreement with a registered program sponsor who is his/her employer and has been certified by VADOLI. Related Instruction: Related knowledge and information about a trade that enhances and supplements OJT. Classroom instruction includes the math, science, safety, and codes that apply to the trade. RI Credit: Credit for related instruction from other sources is granted via Credit by Examination or with documentation of participation in a program approved by FCPS. Transcript: Record of attendance and grades in RI. Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VADOLI): Agency responsible for supervision and certification of OJT, registering apprentices, certifying and registering employers and issuing state certificates. WHO AND WHEN TO CALL Contact the Apprenticeship Representative, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Phone: 703-392-0900 ext. 102 or 131 for information on: How to get registered How to re-register when going from one employer to another Completion requirements Record log books and record keeping requirements Licensing certification requirements If problems occur on the job If you feel you are not being properly trained on the job If you need a duplicate copy of your apprenticeship agreement or card Contact Apprenticeship Related Instruction Office, Fairfax County Public Schools, Phone: 703-658-2700 for information about: Enrollment in class Fee schedules and refunds Textbooks Attendance or grades Transcripts for grades or class attendance (request in writing) Course outlines Changes of address and/or employers Comments regarding course materials or instruction Inclement weather (Phone: 703-658-1203) Contact the Employment Center for information on: Employment counseling Referrals and placement assessment Vocational assessment Resume and interview techniques Personalized counseling: Alexandria: 703-704-6286 Reston: 703-787-4974 Fairfax: 703-324-7280 Falls Church: 703-533-5400 Loudoun County: 703-777-0150 Web site: www.myskillsource.org Contact Fairfax County Public Schools, Adult and Community Education (ACE) for other training: Computer Classes 703-658-1220 GED 703-503-6440 Trade & Industry 703-658-1225 ESOL 703-658-2777 High School Completion 703-503-6407 Job Fair Participation 703-227-2232 Web site: www.fcps.edu/aceclasses
Apprenticeship Information in the Washington Metropolitan Area: Washington D.C. Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001 PHONE: 202-698-5099 Maryland Virginia Maryland Apprenticeship Information Center 217 E. Redwood Street Baltimore, MD 21202 PHONE: 410-767-2246 www.vccs.edu/workforce/ari/index.htm Apprenticeship Guarantee Simply attend 90% or more of the scheduled sessions and we guarantee that you will pass the course or you can retake the class next year for FREE! This offer applies only to the tuition for the same course and is only valid for the next school year. If a student fails a course and does not return to class the next year, the guarantee is void. ATTENDANCE POLICY Completion Upon completion, credit is awarded for a year's worth of related instruction, if the apprentice has been in class for the total number of hours offered and has received related instruction in all parts of the curriculum for that year. If several classes are missed, the apprentice will not have received all of this training and will have gaps in his/her knowledge. Therefore, regular attendance is required to receive credit for the year's related instruction. Policy An apprentice must physically attend at least 85% of the course hours to receive credit for the year's related instruction. This is in addition to earning a minimum of 70% final grade average. The following table shows the total in-class hours plus makeup hours the student must have to pass the course. Course Hours Maximum unexcused absences Hours Needed and/or absences not made up 96 81 5 sessions or 15 hours 126 107 6 sessions or 18 hours 150 129 7 sessions or 21 hours Persons not meeting these standards must repeat course or take credit-by-exam (if available). Successful completion of an upper level class does not earn you credit for the lower level classes. Each level must be completed to complete apprenticeship. Excused absences may be granted when documented by a letter from the employer on company letterhead, thus ensuring that employer/sponsor knows of the absence. An excuse only qualifies the apprentice to participate in the makeup process. Any excused absence must be made up to get credit for the hours. Unexcused absences may not be made up. Students who arrive late or leave class early will have the time docked and will not have the privilege of making up the loss. MAKE-UP PROCEDURE Students should strive to attend all scheduled classes. Absences that cannot be avoided should be made up as soon as possible, even though the maximum absences allowed are not exceeded. Not all class sessions are available to be made up because of guest lecturers, demonstrations, difficult subject matter, etc. Absences on these nights will result in lost credit hours even if the absence is excused. To make up hours and class work missed, the apprentice must make arrangements with the instructor to receive alternative assignments such as attendance of the same lecture in another class, special projects, special homework, etc. This should be used on a limited basis and only with excused absences. Make-up work must be done within 60 days of the absence. INCLEMENT WEATHER All classes missed due to inclement weather will be made up. Call: 703-658-1203 if weather threatens.
FCPS - ACE LEARNING RESOURCES Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (Contact: 703-658-2753) These classes offer speaking, reading, writing, and listening practice for people whose first language is not English. There are classes at sites throughout the county. Adult High School Completion Programs (Contact: 703-503-6405) There are three ways for adults to finish high school: At Woodson Adult High School you can finish all your credits for a high school diploma through taking classes or independent study. In the External Diploma Program you can demonstrate your skills through take-home projects and interviews. The General Educational Development (GED) is a test in high school skills in reading writing, social studies, science, and math. Scholarship opportunities can cover BOTH the adult high school tuition AND the apprenticeship classes for the period of time you are enrolled if you qualify. Adult Learning Centers (General Information: 703-533-5466 or 703-660-2007) Adult Learning Centers are available to help students with reading, writing, math, or preparation for high school completion. New learning center students are required to attend an Information and Placement Session. New students will be accepted the first week of each month. This program provides small group work on subjects you want to review. You may work with a teacher or tutor. This is a free service. Call for center hours and days. School Name Address Bryant Groveton Learning Center Rm 2, Bryant Adult Center, 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306 Herndon Learning Center Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden St., Herndon, VA 20170 Reston-Stonegate Learning Center Stonegate Village Apartments, 2244B Stonewheel Dr., Reston, VA 20191 Springfield Learning Center Rm 218, Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310 Tysons-Pimmit Learning Center Rm 134 Pimmit Hills Center, 7510 Lisle Ave., Falls Church, VA 22043 Woodson Learning Center Rm P2, Woodson High School, 9525 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22031 Centro de Estudio en Español Woodson High School, Cuarto K20, 4105 Whitacre Road, Fairfax, VA 22031 You and Apprenticeship As an individual you should know that apprenticeship is an employers training program that is designed to transform you from a beginning helper to a skilled mechanic who can work alone as well as direct others. At the end of your apprenticeship you will be a journey worker, a nationally recognized status which qualifies you to sit for local licensing exams where they apply. The apprenticeship training for most trades is a multi-year investment the employer makes in you. The employer provides on-the-job training to develop your skills of how to do the job. This training is augmented with formal classroom training to teach you the science behind the trade, the codes that govern the trade, and reasons why you do things the way you do. Be sure to ask any prospective employer what training they ll provide if you accept a job with them. Your understanding of the value of apprenticeship will allow you to compare prospective employers and to select one that offers you a career and not just a job. Apprenticeship Class Bulletins are usually available at your school June 1. Ask you vocational counselor or career center specialist.
VIRGINIA TRADESMAN LICENSING EXAMS REQUIRE CLASSROOM TRAINING To be eligible to sit for the Journeyman (Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Mechanics) exam you need: 1. Four years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training in that trade. OR 2. Five years of practical experience in the trade and 160 hours of formal vocational training in that trade. OR 3. Six years of practical experience in the trade and 80 hours of formal vocational training in that trade. OR 4. Six and ½ years of practical experience in the trade and 40 hours of formal vocational training in that trade. 5. An Associates Degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade for which certification is desired and 2 years of practical experience in the trade. OR 6. A bachelor s degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade for which certification is desired and 1 year of practical experience in the trade. Master: Applicants for this level of certification must establish conformance with one of the categories listed below. 1. One year of experience as a certified journeyman. OR 2. Ten years of practical experience in the trade, verified by an affidavit from those who observed the applicant s trade work. Practical experience and technical training must be documented by certificates, transcripts, and or references on appropriate letterhead. Go to the DPOR website listed below and download the application forms and begin gathering the required information as soon as possible. For a tradesman (electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, & HVAC) or contractors licensing application apply for approval to sit for the exam through DPOR http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/tra_main.cfm or at 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, (804)367-8500 then schedule testing through PSI at 800-733-9267 or on the Internet at www.psiexams.com PSI proctors tradesman exams for the state of Virginia but first you must be approved by DPOR. Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Mechanics: First apply through the Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulation at http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/tra_main.cfm These licenses are all referred to as Tradesman Licenses. Also contact PSI at 1 800 733 9267 to get a copy of their application to take the journeyman s exam to begin your planning. If you have four years in the trade and will need a significant number classroom hours. Apprenticeship Related Instruction is certainly one of the best ways to earn the needed classroom hours but any formal school training specific to your trade will be accepted when appropriate proof is provided. FCPS Adult & Community Education also offers nonapprenticeship classes through the Trade & Industry Department. For a listing of Trade & Industry classes see the Adult & Community Education web site at www.fcps.edu/aceclasses or call 703 658 1225. The amount of classroom training you need is reduced if your field experience is more than four (4) years. If you are working in your field while you are taking your classes you may qualify at a lower level due to the additional field experience you earn during the time it takes you to get in the classes. Note: getting course credit by passing an exam does not earn your any credit toward the required classroom hours unless you complete an apprenticeship program as a registered apprentice. For example: If you currently have five years of experience, are still employed full time in the trade, and attend 1 year of Apprenticeship Related Instruction Class, you would then be eligible to take the state exam. This is because the Apprenticeship Related Instruction classes take 10 months to complete. You would soon have 6 years of experience and 81 96 hours of class if you pass. This qualifies you per item 3 above. Cosmetologists, Nail Technicians, and Barbers license information can be obtained from Professional Credentialing Services out of Tennessee. Toll free 888 822 3272 or www.pcshq.com Opticians: Visit The Board for Opticians at http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/opt_main.cfm Surveyors: Board For Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers And Landscape Architects (Apelscidla Board) call 804 367 8506 or 804 367 8512. http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/ape_main.cfm See also http://www.ncees.org/ for more information District of Columbia uses an agent see their website at http://www.pearsonvue.com/programs/ Step 1 under Select Your Category choose State Regulated. Step 2 scroll down to select the District of Columbia license board for your trade.