2018 RETA Breeze Jan-Feb.indd

education Refrigeration

Mechanics/Technicians Apprenticeship Program

Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association worked alongside the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, Global Cold Chain Alliance, Lanier Technical College- Technical College System of Georgia, and FASTPORT to develop a new and exciting apprenticeship program for Refrigeration Mechanics/Technicians. What is an Apprenticeship Program? Apprenticeship is a collaboration among business, industry and government organizations resulting in a skilled trade. Apprentices learn the aspects of a highly skilled occupation through on-the-job training and related instruction, while under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional. At the end of the program, the apprentice receives a certificate of completion and achieves journey worker status. Apprenticeship training requires a wide and diverse range of skills and knowledge, as well as maturity, commitment and sound judgment. Apprenticeship can yield a life- long rewarding CAREER! The U.S. Department of Labor states that registered apprenticeship training

is distinguished from other types of workplace training by several factors: (1) participants who are newly hired (or already employed) earn wages from employers during training; (2) programs must meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor (or federally- recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies); (3) programs provide on-the-job learning and job-related technical instruction; (4) on-the-job learning is conducted in the work setting under the direction of one or more of the employer’s personnel; and (5) training results in an industry- recognized credential. “There’s this constant balance that goes on between the definition of a good job and our understanding of a truly valuable education. Not all knowledge comes from college, but not all skills come from degrees.” – Mike Rowe, CNNs Mike Rowe: Michigan Must Change Perceptions of Skilled Trades If you are interested in implementing an apprenticeship program, please contact Dave Harrison, Executive Director of National Apprenticeship at FASTPORT, at 479-231-9666 or dave.harrison@fastport.com.

The term of apprenticeship is 3 years with an OJL attainment of 6,000 hours, supplemented by the minimum required 432 hours of related instruction. This program shall include, but not be limited to: First Year Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Level I: 40 hours Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Level II: 40 hours Maintenance and Trouble Shooting for the NH3 Operator: 40 hours Math for the Ammonia Technician: 24 hours Subtotal: 144 hours secondYear PSM/RPM for the Ammonia Operator: 40 hours Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Level III: 40 hours RETA Basic Electricity I: 40 hours 24 Hour Hazardous Material Technician

Certification: 24 hours Subtotal: 144 hours thirdYear

RETA Basic Electricity II: 40 hours RETA Control Theory I: 40 hours

Introduction to Industiral Maintenance: 40 hours PLC Maintenance & Trouble Shooting: 24 hours Subtotal: 144 Grand Total: 432

6 RETA.com