personal

Was wondering how the American apprentiship program works. In Canada I apprenticed for four years, the first three I worked 10 months and went to school for two. My Forth year worked 9 months and school for 3. I then received my Journeyman's license but cannot pull permits until I'm a Master. To get my masters I have to work in the trade for 3yrs as a j-man then take night classes to write a the test. Then once a master I can pull permits. This is how it is in Alberta it's a little different province to province.

brian john

And how does the contractor proceed without an apprentice for 2 months.

BDB

And how do you make a pay check for 2 months?

brian john

You get paid, our apprentices have one day every other week off for paid schooling. A GREAT IDEA and the two months seems decent but as a small contractor it would kill me, unless there is a stop gap apprentice.

ponsse

In the US it is state specific. In Minnesota the state requires 8000 hours of work experience divided up into different areas to write the test for a journeyman's, it's been too long so I don't remember the numbers for each area but it's something like 4000 hours of construction, so many hours of controls, ect. ect.

Whether you have a journeyman's or not, at 10,000 hours you can write the test for a Masters license

If your in a union apprenticeship it is 5 years (10000) hours before they will let you try for your journeyman's.

If you have a EE (electrical engineering degree) you can take your master's test without any work experience.

brian john

I think that is the same in most states that have licensing (so I have been told). IMO this is a bad decision, they should have some field experience and time with a contractor.

jfwfmt

"EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must also have at least one of the following:

• 4 years/8000 hours of actual electrical work in wiring for Light, Heat and Power of Residential and Commercial buildings
• OR Completion of US Dept of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship program (must show certificate)
  
• OR Completion of an electrical vocational education program of at least 1080 hours (must show certificate)"

TEST: "EXAM DETAILS: The exam is give by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. There are several preset dates and locations for these exams throughout the year. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions and 4 electrical calculations. There is a 4-hour time limit for the test. The exam fee is $25."
80% correct is required to pass.

"You are authorized to bring to the test the following: NEC Code Book, Keyword Index, Ugly's Book, Regular Calculator, Pencils, and any other material you feel will assist you EXCEPT sample tests. Sample tests will be confiscated and may not be returned. You will be permitted (4) four hours to complete the exam. If you arrive late, you will not be allotted additional time."

Journeyman can work unsupervised by any other electrician.
Journeyman can supervise up to 2 apprentices.
As far as I know Journeyman can pull permits (I've pulled about 1/2 dozen so far).

brian john

I took the West VA Masters the second time it was given, very through test.

personal

We go on unemployment insurance for the time in school. It's a hassle everytime. The contractor is w/o the apprentice for that school period. And the apprentice is poor after buying all the books, paying for school (it is partially paid for by the goverment) Still the tuition is about $1K per period plus books ($200-700 depending on which year you are)

brian john

...............................THAT SUCKS and that's what happens when the government gets involved with every aspect of your life. NO CONCERN FOR THE EMPLOYEE OR THEIR EMPLOYER.

personal

Yes, there are several things here that I wouldnt mind changed. One is our Masters program, it's privatly run. I feel its a big boys club, pay your yearly license fee and your good to go. In some provices J-man can pull permits, in Alberta you must be a master.

BuzzKill

Only 50 questions in WVA? Here in Ga. there were 160 in 8 hours... 3 min per question, of course, it covered OSHA, business law, accounting, code and calculations...If only 50 questions, I bet they had some obscure, tough questions

Thomps

Ontario is now similar to Alberta. As Personal, pointed out, apprentices are laid off for each of their three blocks of school sessions (10 weeks, 10 weeks & 8 weeks). Recieve E.I. (usually about 2 weeks after they've completed school) and are on the hook for the cost of tuition, and the cost of all books at materials.
10 years ago, the cost of trade school was covered by the government, but for some reason, they terminated that funding.

We also have the option of sending apprentices to day release trade school (1 day a week for 30 + weeks), but I haven't heard a lot of positive feedback from the guys who have taken it.

htneighbors

WV certainly sounds different than OK, WY or TX!