When it was established in 1992, the RI Construction Training Academy (RICTA), ABC's Apprenticeship School ran electrical classes in borrow space at a couple of Rhode Island vocational and technical high schools. By 2009, the school had grown to the point where logistics no longer allowed borrowing space, so a building in Pawtucket was remodeled and a new, eight-room school was developed. The space has served the school very well over the past six years, but one major problem has existed since: While the school was comfortable during the winter months, there was no air conditioning for warmer months. Thanks to a grant, RICTA was able to purchase an air conditioning unit; and with the help of its electrical, HVAC and sheet metal instructors, the apprentices in those classes were given the opportunity for some real, practical hands-on training. The sheet metal class fabricated the ductwork, and HVAC and electrical classes handled the install. The project was finished just in time for the new school year to begin. The 2015/2016 school year will begin on September 14. 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 (OJT) 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). 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. And this year, thanks to the grant, students will be able to learn in air conditioned comfort. 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.