Apprenticeship Training
Apprenticeship training simultaneously, combines work experience and classroom training. Most trades require 8,000 hours of work experience (OJT) and at least 2-4 years of classroom training. Apprenticeship training is available for any person who meets the following requirements:
? 18 years of age.
? High School Diploma or GED.
? Physically capable of performing required tasks.
? Working for a contractor to accumulate on the job training hours (OJT)
? Completion of application and apprenticeship forms.
? Registration with the Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.
Student Craft Training
This type of training is geared to the student just entering into the field of choice, not working for a contractor, but has a desire to start learning the trade while seeking employment. Student Craft Training (Craft Trainee) is only available for the first year of any program. A student wishing to continue his/her training in the program should be employed with a contractor. Student craft training is available to any person who meets the following requirements:
? 18 years of age.
? High School Diploma or GED.
? Physically capable of performing required tasks.
? Not employed with a contractor in your chosen trade.
? Completion of application and work search forms.
? Completion of reading and math competency test.
School-To-Work Students
Juniors and seniors in high school, eager to enter in the trades as a career, have an opportunity to take classes while attending high school. An articulation agreement between the high school and ABC, using the Contran Learning Series curriculum, will allow the student to take trade classes, through the local high school, that will apply toward the four year apprenticeship at ABC. The School-To-Work student has an opportunity to attend evening classes at ABC if he/she has met all the requirements for high school graduation and has written permission from the high school and parent/guardian.
School-To-Work training is available to any person who meets the following requirements:
? Currently enrolled in a local high school that has an articulation agreement with ABC.
? At least 16 years of age.
? Physically capable of performing required tasks.
Course Fees
? Current apprenticeship rates and fees may be obtained from the Education Department.
? All required fees must be paid prior to admittance to class.
? Applicants are required to pay the 1st year tuition, book fee, materials fee and a non-refundable
registration fee.
? Returning students will be invoiced for the tuition and book fee 30 days prior to the
beginning of class.
? 2nd semester students will be invoiced for tuition 30 days prior to the beginning of the
second semester.
? At the discretion of the instructor, some classes will require additional texts, lab and or
material fees.
Withdrawals, Refunds, and Substitutions
A written request for a refund of tuition only, prior to the first class, will result in a 100% refund. After the first class and prior to the second class, only 50% of the tuition will be refunded. Thereafter, the entire fee will be forfeited. Any student who does not attend the first class and did not notify the education office of the decision not to attend class is subject to the same policy.
Within a member or non-member company, if a new student replaces a withdrawing student, prior to the second class date, tuition may be transferred to the new student.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Books with the factory seal broken are non-refundable. Books that do not have a factory seal will only be taken back if in mint condition and at the discretion of the education director.
When tuition for two semesters is paid in full at registration, the second semester tuition only, will be refunded if the student does not return for the second semester.
Class Cancellation
In the event that there is insufficient enrollment for a course (less that 15 students), the course may be canceled by the Apprenticeship and Craft Training Committee. Should a cancellation occur, all registered students and their employers will be notified and a full refund will be issued.
Rescheduled Classes
If a class is postponed due to weather, instructor illness, etc., the education office will notify the student and employer as soon as possible. Reaching all students and employers in a timely fashion is not always possible. A notice of postponement will be placed in the classroom and the rescheduling of that class will be up to the discretion of the instructor. Postponement due to inclement weather can be verified by calling the ABC office between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. a second message will give a class update. Please check our website, facebook page, and WTAE Channel 4 news for cancelation information.
Grades
Grade reports are issued at the end of each semester. Any students scoring below a 70% in any given quarter will be placed on a academic probation until the grade is brought up to 70%. A final grade of 70% or higher must be attained to pass from one year to the next. If a level needs to be repeated, it will be at the cost of the student.
OJT (On The Job Training Hours) Time Cards
All apprentices, working in the field, must keep track of their on the job training hours.
OJT time cards are available at the ABC office and from your instructor. Any apprentice registered with the Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training will be de-registered if time cards are not kept current.
Attendance Policy
Evening School
ABC Apprenticeship/Craft Training Program allocates three (3) absences per school year. A student/apprentice may not miss more than (3) classes. Upon the fourth absence a student will be in violation of attendance policy. All classes must be made up at the end of the 2nd semester or the student/apprentice will not be able to proceed to the next level of training. Two (2) tardies equal one (1) absence. A student/apprentice who arrives five (5) minutes after the starting time will be marked tardy. If a day student/apprentice leaves class early or arrives back late from a break, he/she will be marked as tardy. If any day student/apprentice misses a combined total of one (1) hour of class in a single day, that student/apprentice will be marked absent for the entire class.
A student/apprentice may contact the education office for the schedule of make up class dates. The cost of the make-up classes is $45 per class. This amount must be paid in advance prior to scheduling the class. All make-up classes must be completed before enrollment of the next school year. If classes are not made up the student/apprentice will not receive a grade or completion for that year.
Complaint Procedures
Any complaint or requests for interpretation that may arise in the administration of the policies and or program shall be referred to the Education and Safety Committee through the Director of Education as follows:
? The complaint, grievance, or interpretation request must be submitted in written form to
the committee within five (5) days after the occurrence or incident which gives rise to
the request for committee action.
? The committee shall, at it's next scheduled meeting (but in no case more than 30 days
after receipt of the request) in formal session, hear any such complaints, grievances, or
request for interpretation as the interested parties may see fit to bring before it.
? At the conclusion of the committee hearing, the committee shall by majority vote,
determine the issues before it and it's decision shall be submitted in writing to all
interested parties. It will be conclusive and binding upon all interested parties.
Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy
Western Pennsylvania Apprenticeship Training Trust Fund admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of it's educational policies, scholarship and loan programs and other school administered programs.