Fireproofer FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about training
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Question 1: I am a member with 3500 hours worked in the field but have not yet attended any training. I am now requesting training. What training level am I entitled to?
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Regardless of the numbers of hours over and above the 500-2000 hours for Level 1, you are still required to complete Level 1.
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Question 2: I’ve receive a letter for school indicating that I am registered for Level 2 but I’m already a second year. Shouldn’t I be attending Level 3 training?
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No, you need to have completed Level 2 training + accumulated 3500 hours of work + met the Anniversary date requirement to achieve 3rd year rate. Therefore you need to attend Level 2 training.
We have 3 levels of training:
- Level 1 - minimum 2000 hours + anniversary date = 2nd year rate
- Level 2 – minimum 3500 hours + anniversary date = 3rd year rate
- Level 3 – minimum 5000 hours + anniversary date = journeyman rate
For further details, see the answer for Question 3 and if needed, click "Training Structure" in the left column.
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Question 3: I have now worked 4000 hours and have not yet attended any training and would like to take all three levels back to back; in one year. Can I do this?
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In this situation, we need to follow the Collective Agreement criteria. Based on this, you qualify for Level 1 training.
Three criteria must be met each year:
- Anniversary date
- Hours worked in the trade
- Training
As per our Alberta Collective Agreement - Article 14.01 (a)
Trainee up to 500 hours employment
1st Year up to 2000 hours employment at the trade
2nd Year 2001 – 3500 hours employed at the trade
3rd Year 3501-5000 hours employed at the trade
Journeyman 5000+ hours employed at the trade
- An apprentice is only allowed one change in classification per year.
- This change is to occur on or after the member’s anniversary date.
(Anniversary date: is the date that the last rate change occurred based on meeting all required criteria.)
- Must achieve the minimum hours required
- Attend appropriate training course as approved by the JATC and passing a subsequent exam
Example 1: - (Ideal scenario to have training and pay raises synchronize)
- Union start date: June 1, 2010 (Trainee rate and anniversary date)
- At 500 hours you receive your first year rate.
- Takes Level 1 training in January (2011) the following year.
- Goes back to work in March, achieves his 2000 hours and continues to work until June 2011.
- June 1, 2011, you get your 2nd year rate.
Note: all three criteria requirements have been met in a 12 month period
Example 2
- Union start date: June 1, 2010 (Trainee rate and anniversary date)
- At 500 hours you receive your first year rate
- Does NOT attend Level 1 training within a 12 month period.
- Continues working and on March 20, 2011 achieves 2000 hours; (no pay increase yet)
- Continues working through 2011 and achieves 3000 hours worked.
- Attends Level 1 training in January 2012
- Commences work February 20, 2012 = receives 2nd year rate and this becomes the new anniversary date. (All 3 criteria have been met).
Example 3
- Same first 6 steps as in example #2
- But now, apprentice does NOT start working again until May 2012
= this becomes the new anniversary date.
Note:
Pay increases can only happen if you are working/employed.
Does this help to understand the value of getting trained when you are scheduled?
If you still have questions, please call the Training Center - 780-490-4327.