Apprenticeship Program

Are you looking to become a craftsperson in a valuable trade such as computerized control systems for the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Industry? Are you looking for the opportunity to do meaningful work and use your talents right away?

ECS Controls offers a highly competitive salary, training, monitoring and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Better yet, we pay for your education toward becoming a Computerized Environmental Control Installer through the ECS Controls four (4) year Apprenticeship Program.

The ECS Apprenticeship Program is a practical, effective and cost efficient approach to training which provides a combination of on-the-job work experience and related classroom instruction. Our Apprenticeship Program in which you are receiving your training to be a future craftsperson has been carefully designed. The purpose is to give you work experience in all phases of the trade so that you will be a competent craftsperson upon completion of your training.

The ECS Apprenticeship training is vital to the success of our Government construction division. Federal and State laws governing the training program is complicated and there are many compliance steps which must be constantly monitored. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry have established the following basic criteria for approval of the ECS Apprenticeship Program.

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I. Contents of Standards

- Definitions
- Policy and EEO Pledge
- Credit for Previous Experience
- Apprenticeship Agreement
- Term of Apprenticeship
- Responsibilities of Apprentice
- Supervision of Apprentices
- Schedule of Work Processes
- Related Instruction
- Periodic Evaluation
- Hours of Work
- Apprentice Wages
- Layoff of Apprentices
- Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
- Interpretation
- Transfer of Apprentices
- Safety and Health Training
- Qualifications for Apprenticeship
- Initial Probationary
- Number of Apprentices to be Trained in Program
- Modifications

Definitions
The term "Sponsor" shall mean an employer, such as ECS Controls who has voluntarily adopted these Standards of Apprenticeship in order to provide employment and training of apprentices as set forth in these Standards.

"Approved Agency" or "Registration Agency" shall mean the Virginia Apprenticeship Council which agency is recognized by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, U.S. Department of Labor.

"Apprenticeship Agreement" shall mean a written agreement or master agreement, between the sponsor and the apprentice and approved by and registered with the Virginia Apprentice Council. The "Apprenticeship Agreement, or master agreement, shall contain…

"Apprentice" shall mean a person at least 18 years of age who, as a principal occupation, is engaged in learning and working in the trades as stated in these Standards, and who is covered by a written agreement with sponsor providing for the employment and training in accordance with these Standards Apprenticeship and who is registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

"Supervisor of Apprentices" shall mean the person designated by the sponsor to perform the duties outlined in the Standards of Apprenticeship and will be designated on the Training Program Outline.

Standards of "Apprenticeship" shall mean this entire document including these definitions.

Contents of Standards

Policy and Equal Employment Opportunity Pledge
On or after the date that these Standards of Apprenticeship are duly executed, it shall be the policy of the sponsor that all apprentices employed in the trade covered here in shall be governed by the terms of these Standards of Apprenticeship, a copy of which will be provided for the sponsor who shall make it available to the apprentice for review, upon request.

The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or physical handicap which is unrelated to the person's qualification and ability to perform the job. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under the Virginia State Plan complying with Tittle 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 30.

Contents of Standards

Credit for Previous Experience
An applicant for apprenticeship may be allowed credit on the term of apprenticeship for that portion of experience, whether with the sponsor or elsewhere, which is equivalent to that which would have been received under these Standards of Apprenticeship.

Previous experience will be credited only after the record of the apprentice has been reviewed by the sponsor's supervisor of apprentices.

Contents of Standards

Apprenticeship Agreement
The apprentice shall sign a written agreement, or statement agreeing to the terms of the master agreement, which agreement or master agreement shall also be signed by the sponsor (or authorized representative) and registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

This agreement shall contain a clause making the terms of these Standards a part of the said agreement. Therefore, each apprentice who enters into an apprenticeship agreement shall be given a copy of these standards read before the agreement is signed.

The following parties shall receive a copy of this agreement properly executed: (1)The Apprentice (2)The Sponsor (3) The Virginia Apprenticeship Council (2 copies) (4) Other Government Agencies and Regulatory Boards when appropriate.

Contents of Standards

Term of Apprenticeship
The term of apprenticeship for the trade(s) included herein shall be the number of months or hours as stipulated in the Training Program Outline and shall consist of reasonably continuous employment supplemented by the amount of related instruction required in the craft or trade.

When the apprentice shall be require to work overtime, these overtime hours WILL NOT be credited to the term of apprenticeship.

The minimum term of an apprenticeship program shall be in accordance with the current Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship Act.

Contents of Standards

Responsibilities of the Apprentice
Each apprentice registered under these Standards agrees to be punctual and regular in attendance and proper in conduct, to pursue the training with diligence at all times, endeavoring with utmost ability to attain perfection in practice of the craft of trade.

Contents of Standards

Supervision of Apprentices
The sponsor shall designate a supervisor of apprentices, whose duties shall include:

Keeping adequate records of the progress of each apprentice;

Cooperating with the apprentices immediate supervisor in insuring that the apprentice obtains the experience outlined in the Work Processes on the Training Program Outline;

Making reports as required at specified intervals regarding the aptitude, skill and progress of each apprentice;

Insuring that the apprentice is given instruction in safe working methods in each operation as it is encountered through the term of apprenticeship;

Making arrangements with the Local Vocational Education authorities for the required related instruction; and

Such other duties as may be involved in developing and maintaining an effective program of apprenticeship.

Contents of Standards

Schedule of Work Processes
The apprentice shall be given instruction and work experience in all branches of the trade listed in the work processes as necessary to develop a skilled journeyperson.

The work experience need not be in the precise order as listed, nor do the scheduled hours on any operations need be continuous, to permit the flexibility necessary to the normal shop production schedule.

A condensed schedule of the major divisions of the trade based on approximate hours is recorded on the Training Program Outline.

Contents of Standards

Related Instruction
Each apprentice employed under these standards shall enroll and receive related instruction of not less than the amount required in the craft or trade as approved by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. A minimum of 144 hours is recommended for each year of apprenticeship.

Each apprentice employed under these Standards shall submit to the supervisor of apprentices, as set forth on the Training Program Outline, evidence of satisfactory participation and progress in the required related instruction.

Failure on the part of the apprentice to fulfill the obligation to attend to such duties, except for sickness or injury, shall be deemed sufficient cause for suspension or revocation of the apprenticeship agreement.

Contents of Standards

Periodic Evaluation
The progress of each apprentice's job performance and related instruction shall be subject to a periodic review prior to the expiration of each wage period. Should a review reveal a lack of interest or ability on the part of the apprentice, the apprentice will be informed of the deficiency and may be placed on probation for a sufficient period to determine improvement or failure. At the end of the probationary period, if the apprentice has not shown acceptable improvement, the apprenticeship agreement may be suspended or revoked. The sponsor will provide a written notice of the final action taken to the apprentice and the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

Contents of Standards

Hours of Work
Hours of work for apprentices shall be the same as for other employees in the craft or trade.

Time spent at related instruction may or may not be considered as hours of work, depending on statement made on the Training Program Outline.

The apprentice shall not be required to work such hours as would interfere with attendance at related instruction except in an emergency, or as prearranged and outlined on the Training Program Outline.

Contents of Standards

Apprentice Wages
For the purpose of establishing a progressively increasing wage scale as the apprentice progresses in skill and productivity, the term of apprenticeship should be divided into periods. The wages rate of all apprentices employed under these Standards shall be set on the basic rate paid journey person. Present rates are recorded for each trade on the Training Program.

The minimum wages paid all apprentices employed under these Standards are recorded on the current Training Program Outline.

Apprentices who are given credit for previous training or experience shall be paid the wage rate commensurate with the period to which such credit advances them.

The rate of pay for overtime hours worked by the apprentice shall be based on the same ration as other hourly paid employees.

The apprentice wage schedule will be established in accordance with current Federal and State wage laws.

Contents of Standards

Layoff, Suspension, Cancellation and Reinstatement of Apprentices
In the event it shall become necessary to layoff journey persons, apprentices may be laid-off in the commensurate ratio of apprentices to journeypersons in the craft. Provided, however, any apprentice laid-off under these Standards shall be entitled to seniority privileges and shall be reinstated in the seniority standing before any new apprentices shall be registered.

Contents of Standards

Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
Upon the completion of the term of apprenticeship and having met the requirements of the program, the Virginia Apprenticeship Council shall be requested to prepare a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship, to be issued in the name of the apprentice who has completed training.

Contents of Standards

Interpretation
If a difference of opinion should arise in the interpretation of these Standards which cannot be satisfactorily adjusted, either party to the apprenticeship agreement shall consult the Virginia Apprenticeship Council for clarification of the matter in question.

Contents of Standards

Transfer of Apprentices
If and when the sponsor is no longer able to fulfill his obligations for the training of an apprentice, the apprentice may be transferred or registered with credit for previous training to another sponsor.

Contents of Standards

Safety and Health Training
The sponsor shall instruct the apprentices in safe and healthful work practices and shall insure that the apprentice is trained in facilities and other environments that meet the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry and the Construction Industry developed pursuant to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Contents of Standards

Qualifications for Apprenticeship (Sponsor's Option)
Applicants for Apprenticeship must have the following qualifications:

Age: 18 years old and up

Education: High School Graduate or Completion of Related Trade School

Physical capability as evidenced by Valid Drivers License

Contents of Standards

Initial Probationary Period
All apprentices registered under these Standards shall be subject to an initial probationary period of 1000 clock hours of employment. During this period, annulment of the apprenticeship agreement may be made upon request of either party, but due notice of such actions must be given to the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

Full Credit will be given for the initial probationary period toward completion of the apprenticeship program.

Contents of Standards

Number of Apprentices to be Trained in Program
The number of apprentices shall be determined by the adequacy of facilities, the need of journey persons in the community and reasonable assurance of employment in the trade of establishment upon completion of training. To ensure adequate training, the ratio of apprentices to journey persons shall not exceed one (1) apprentice to one (1) journeyman

Current number to be trained is recorded on the Training Program Outline.

Contents of Standards

Modifications
Details of this program may be modified by prompt notification from the sponsor to the Virginia Apprentice Council. Any such modification must be approved by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. Such modifications shall not alter or affect apprenticeship agreements in effect at the time of modification without the consent of all parties affected.

The apprenticeship program may be canceled by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council for due cause. The sponsor may withdraw his program by submitting a written request to the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

Contents of Standards | Table of Contents

II. To be or not to be. . . a Registered ECS Apprentice

Registered ECS Apprentices receive a State Apprenticeship Certificate; non-registered students receive only a Technical Vocational Center Adult Education completion certificate.

Registered ECS Apprentices have documentation that they have received a wide range of field experiences; non-registered students do not.

Registered ECS Apprentices get national recognition of their training in most states; non-registered students must provide detailed job histories which may or may not be accepted.

Registered ECS Apprentices have 100% of their related instruction paid for by the company; non-registered students are not eligible for this benefit.

Registered ECS Apprentices will have their eligibility to sit for the State Tradesman Certification (Journeyman's) exam documented and filed with the testing agent upon graduation. Non-registered students must file documentation of their work experiences and classroom training with the testing agent.

Federal and State standards for apprenticeship require monitoring of both Related Instruction and On the Job Training. Registered ECS Apprentices are true APPRENTICES.

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III. Steps to becoming a Registered ECS Apprentice

How Does A Person Become An ECS Apprentice? The following are the four steps you should follow to set up an apprenticeship:

Step 1: Identify the occupation offered by ECS Controls is right for you.

All prospective apprentices should start by identifying that this trade is what they wish to learn. There are many ways to learn about occupations. One way is to do the Virginia VIEW Occupational Search that matches an individual's personal preferences in work situations to occupations. Career counselors and helping professionals in high schools, vocational centers, community colleges, and public service agencies such as the Virginia Employment Commissions know about Virginia VIEW. A person who wants to become an apprentice can discuss the requirements of a particular trade with their local Virginia Employment Commission Office.

Step 2: Identify ECS Controls as the company you want to sponsor your apprenticeship.

A sponsor, such as ECS Controls, must be identified as an employer who will provide on-the-job training for this apprenticeship program to be conducted.

If prospective apprentices know of a business establishment that is willing to hire him/her in the trade or craft they wish to learn, the prospective apprentice should contact an Apprenticeship Representative at the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to verify that the company is in fact a registered sponsor.

Step 3: Contact ECS Controls to determine if a position is available.

If an apprenticeship position is available, the apprenticeship representative from ECS Controls will meet with the prospective apprentice. At the meeting, the training program will be outlined and discussed. The length of time an individual will be required to serve on-the-job and to attend related instruction will be discussed. If ECS Controls agrees to sponsor the prospective apprentice, an apprentice action form which formalizes the apprenticeship agreement is signed by the sponsor and the apprentice. This is not a contract, but rather an agreement as to the time frame and terms of the apprenticeship.

Step 4: Work, learn and earn during your apprenticeship.

At the completion of an apprenticeship training program, the apprenticeship representative from the Department of Labor and Industry will have ECS Controls and the Related Instruction Coordinator sign a certification indicating the apprentice has completed the required training. In approximately one month from the completion date the apprentice will receive a Certification of Completion of Apprenticeship Training issued by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

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IV. Eligibility

"VIRGINIA REGISTERED APPRENTICE" means the apprentice must be working for a Virginia employer in an apprentice trade and must have registered with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and have a registration card or Apprenticeship registration papers (Apprentice Action Form - A.A.F.) from the State of Virginia. All Virginia Registered Apprentices are required to enroll in Related Instruction classes.

Virginia Registered Apprentices must complete the entire program consisting of "Work Process Phase" and "Related Instruction Phase" to receive a "Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship" from the Commonwealth of Virginia and are eligible to take the Tradesman Certification (Journeyman's) exam.

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V. Work Process Phase

The work process phase is the on-the-job training portion of the apprenticeship program. The apprentice shall be given instruction and work experience in all branches of the trade listed below in order to develop a skilled journey person. The apprentice shall keep adequate records of the progress by completing a record booklet of day-by-day work experience.

Safety is the first priority in all apprenticeship programs and, as the sponsor's primary responsibility, must be taught and practiced continuously in all on-the-job work processes.

Fringe benefits paid to an apprentice shall be based upon a percentage of the applicable apprentice hourly wage rate.

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VI. Related Instruction Phase

The Related Instruction Phase is an important and necessary part of your apprenticeship. It takes both work and study to complete this formal program and become a craftsperson in the trade.

You can receive your Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship when you have satisfactorily completed the related instruction as required in the craft or trade, and the work experience on the job.

Each registered apprentice must make satisfactory progress until the prescribed related instruction course is completed. If your progress in related instruction is not satisfactory, it will be necessary to notify your program sponsor and cancel your apprenticeship.

The Related Instruction Phase normally meets twice a week on either Monday/Wednesday evenings or Tuesday/Thursday evenings and are scheduled from September through May. Classes qualify for veterans receiving G.I. benefits. However, ECS Controls as sponsor will pay for enrollment and lab fees. The apprentice only pays for the course book and agrees to complete the required Related Instruction evening classes and will not be paid for attendance.

A brief description of the Related Instruction course outline is listed below.

First Year HVAC
(AC 101)
Safety, introduction, mathematics, refrigeration fundamentals, compression systems, refrigerants, recovery, electrical and work drawings.

Second Year HVAC
(AC 201)
Applied mathematics, refrigeration systems, servicing & installation, AC fundamentals - heating - cooling - humidifying, heat pumps, electrical circuits & controls, motors and intro to troubleshooting.

Third Year HVAC
(AC 301)
AC systems - heat loads, refrigerators & freezers, commercial systems, servicing & installing, absorption systems and troubleshooting.

Fourth Year HVAC
(AC 401)
Commercial systems - heat loads & piping, special refrigeration systems & applications, solar energy, electric circuits and controls and troubleshooting.

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VII. Why should you attend Apprenticeship Evening Classes?

Enrolling in Apprenticeship night classes shows that you are a SELF STARTER.

In class your attendance will be documented and your class records will show that your are DEPENDABLE.

By earning good grades you will have proof that you are a good TRAINING INVESTMENT.

Employers like SELF STARTERS, they want people who are DEPENDABLE, they want a good return on their TRAINING INVESTMENT.

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VIII. Attendance Policy

Rational:

Upon completion, credit is awarded for a year of related instruction. This assumes the apprentice has been in class for the total number of hours offered and has received related instruction in all parts of the curriculum for that year. If classes are missed, the apprentice will not have received all the training required and will have gaps in his/her knowledge. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is now requiring a minimum of 144 hour of attendance for the Building Trades. Therefore, regular attendance is REQUIRED if an apprentice is to receive credit for the year's related instruction.

Policy:

Attendance
To obtain credit for Related Instruction, an apprentice must attend a minimum of 85% of the Related Instruction classes by the hour.

The following table shows the total class hours and minimum hours the apprentice must attend, as well as maximum sessions and/or hour of absence allowed.

** Regardless of the grade earned, credit will be withheld for excessive absences. Therefore, apprentices should only be absent in emergency situations.

Excused / Unexcused Absence
An excuse only qualifies the apprentice to participate in the make-up process. Any excused absence must be made up to get credit for the hours. unexcused absences may not be made up. Excused absences may be granted when documented by a letter from the employer on company letterhead, thus ensuring that the employer/sponsor knows of the absence. Acceptable excuses include: personal illness or injury, or the death of immediate family members. As the sponsor has agreed to train the apprentice, work related emergencies should never keep an apprentice from attending classes. In any case, the request to make up missed class work must be presented to the instructor within two weeks of the absence. Excused absences that are not made up will not get hours credited.

Make-up Procedure
Apprentices should strive to attend all scheduled classes. Absences that cannot be avoided should be made up as soon as possible. To make up class work missed, the apprentice must make arrangements with the instructor to receive alternative assignments such as special projects, special homework, etc. This should be used on a limited basis and only with excused absences. Make up work must be accomplished within 30 days of the absence.

Appeal Process
An apprentice may appeal a denial of credit to the Related Instruction Coordinator. The appeal must be in writing and supported by documentation such as letters from doctors, employers, etc… Appeals must be made in a timely manner.

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IX. Brief Guide to Procedures and Policies

Grade cards will be distributed to apprentices each quarter. It is the apprentices responsibility to share this information with their sponsor.

Numerical grades are used, and letter grades are assigned accordingly:

A = 100 - 93
B = 92 - 86
C = 85 - 78
D = 77 - 70
E = 69 - 0

An apprentice receiving a failing grade "E" will earn NO HOURS OR CREDIT, and must repeat the course to earn the hours.

In case of extreme weather conditions, it may be determined that in the best interest of safety, attendance of staff, faculty and apprentices is not warranted. Notice of school cancellations will be announced over local popular TV and Radio stations. In the event adverse weather conditions arise later in the day, staff, faculty and apprentices will report unless it is specifically announced that these classes are canceled. Because of extreme difficulty in making up days lost due to inclement weather conditions, the first day lost will not be make up. In the event that school closing are excessive, the ARI Coordinator may extend the "School Year" to reschedule all or part of the lost days.

Use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or unlawful, unprescribed, prohibited substances on the property of this Center is prohibited. Such use, possession, etc. will be grounds for dismissal and/or expulsion and possible arrest.

Apprentices shall dress appropriately for safety requirements. This includes the use of safety glasses and safety shoes when needed. In all cases, shirts (with sleeves) and shoes are required. No person shall wear clothing with obscene or inflammatory language or graphics displayed.

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X. Apprenticeship FAQ's ( Frequently Asked Questions )

FAQ # 1: What is Registered Apprenticeship?

Registered Apprenticeship is a proven, industry-based approach to learning that combines on-the-job training and classroom instruction to produce a highly skilled, dedicated workforce.

FAQ # 2: What is the role of the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI)?

Regional DOLI representatives work with prospective Apprenticeship employers every step of the way to develop customized training programs. DOLI's main Apprenticeship Division is in Richmond with seven offices located around the state.

FAQ # 3: What does a "typical" Apprentice do?

As a full-fledged employee of the sponsoring company, a Registered Apprentice completes a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job work experience in a specific occupation, and a recommended minimum of 144 hours of related instruction for each year of Apprenticeship. The length of the Apprenticeship varies, but the average is 4 years of on-the-job training. Successful completion of the Registered Apprenticeship Program earns the Apprentice nationally recognized state certification as a journey-level worker.

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