Established in 1992, ABC's RI Construction Training Academy (RICTA) has grown from providing classroom-related, state approved apprenticeship training for a couple of trades to nine construction trades including electrical, pipefitting, HVAC, fire suppression, carpentry, roofing, masonry, craft laborer and sheet metal. Classes run from September through May of each year, and depending upon the particular trade, programs can run from two to five years.
The 2014/2015 school year will begin on Monday, September 15 and will kick off with an open house for all companies interested in enrolling apprentices on Wednesday, September 10 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The reception will include food, beverages and tours of the classrooms in the RICTA training facility at 249 Roosevelt Ave. The reception is open to all ABC Members, as well companies that want to learn more about ABC, and companies who want to learn more about RICTA and its apprenticeship programs. A $25 per person donation is requested, with the funds being used to purchase more tools and equipment for the school.
Classroom training, such as that offered by ABC's RI Construction Training Academy, is half of the formula for apprenticeship training. Students must also complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job (OTJ) training by working as an apprentice for their employer. They work during the day, and attend classes two evenings per week for three hours per night. This allows students to complete the 144 hours (150 in Massachusetts) of classroom-related training required by law. In addition to being approved as a Rhode Island apprenticeship school, RICTA is also recognized as an approved classroom training facility for Massachusetts apprentices in HVAC, pipefitting, fire suppression and electrical.
Instructors for the RI Construction Training Academy are fully trained and certified to teach using the Contren Learning Series from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). NCCER was formed by a number of construction trade associations nearly 30 years ago. Its mission is to have one curriculum that the entire construction industry can use, and is used by ABC chapters and other construction associations in all fifty states and U.S. territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico. This continuity not only maintains a consistent level of learning across the nation, it also allows students to move from one state to another and be assured that the training they've already completed will be useable in their new location.
Each instructor is required to go through the NCCER training and receive certification. RI Construction Training Academy instructors are licensed tradesmen in their respective trades. Some are retired, and others are still working; but in most cases, although they are very skilled at what they do, they often need to learn how to teach those skills to others. Instructor certification ensures that all instructors are teaching according to a tried and true methodology.
In addition to apprenticeship training, RICTA offers other training opportunities to ABC members and the construction industry...including OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour classes, Electricians' 15-hour recertification training, contract law, blueprint reading, lead abatement and more.
For more information about RICTA, apprenticeship training and a schedule of classes, please visit www.ricta.org. To register for the reception and open house on September 10, visit www.abc.org, and click on the calendar of events on the right side of the homepage.