The Rhode Island Construction Training Academy (RICTA) is a State-approved training facility that provides required classroom-related training to apprentices in nine separate trades: electrical, HVAC, pipefitting, fire suppression, sheet metal, carpentry, masonry, roofing, painting, and laborer.
Founded in 1992, RICTA has grown from just providing apprenticeship training in electrical and pipefitting to the nine trades currently offered today. Students use the nationally accredited curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). This curriculum is recognized in all fifty states, and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and Guam.
Classes run twice per week for thirteen weeks from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Then there is a break for the holidays, and the second semester picks up in January and runs until April. By the time the school year is over, students will have been offered a total of 156 hours of training. Rhode Island requires 144 hours, and Massachusetts 150. RICTA's classes are recognized by Rhode Island in all 9 trades, and by Massachusetts in the electrical and mechanical trades.
Depending on the level of license sought and the particular trade, the program can last anywhere from two to five years. While RICTA provides the required classroom-related training, apprentices acquire their on the job training (OJT) from the company for which they work. Five of the trades offered by RICTA are required by the state in order to sit for a licensing exam (electrical, pipefitting, fire suppression, HVAC and sheet metal). The other, non-licensed trades are offered due to a state law that requires all general and subcontractors to have an apprenticeship program in order to bid on state projects valued at $1million or more. This law, which went into effect nearly five years ago, was designed to give unions, which have apprenticeship programs in non-licensed trades, an advantage over merit shop contractors and subcontractors in non-licensed trades, who were never required to have programs when bidding on state-funded construction projects. Because RICTA offers apprenticeship training in these non-licensed trades, competition on state projects if now open and fair to all.
All instructors at RICTA have completed courses and are accredited by NCCER. This is important because by being accredited, the program is transferable from state to state, should a student move partway through the course.
Admission to RICTA classes is open to all individuals with a high school diploma or GED. More information can be found at RICTA's website, www.ricta.org.
RICTA does not discriminate in admission, recruitment, services or employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age or handicap. Upon completion of the RICTA program, students will be able to transfer credits towards an Associates Degree at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).

Construction is experiencing a shortage of trained workers, and the need is growing. A great place to start a career in the construction industry is at the Rhode Island Construction Training Academy, in Pawtucket.